Modern Fatherhood

Today we’re sharing the answers that some of our favorite dads to follow on Instagram gave when I asked, “What is modern fatherhood?”  They reflected on what it means to be a dad, and the kinds of relationships they want to have with their kids.

I’ve shared my own personal journey with Tidying Up My Work Life, and my reflections on Expectant Fatherhood and Early Fatherhood. I’ve connected with other dads who have experienced similar life trajectories, and others who have followed very different paths. I love learning from and being inspired by all of these other dads. I hope you’ll check out their accounts, follow along, and while you’re there, come say “Hi!” to me on instagram too: @tidydad. I’d love to hear from you!

Tidy Dad Asks: “What is modern fatherhood?”

Brian Underwood // @thebrianunderwood

Modern fatherhood is being present. It sounds so basic, but I think for way too long, parenting was seen as a woman’s responsibility exclusively. I’m so glad that’s starting to change but there’s still work to be done. My daughter has two fathers…there is no Mom. But I’m often still one of the very few men at school at pickups and drop offs or at dance or swim classes. I’d like to see Dads keep stepping up, but I’d also like to see employers step up. That starts with paid parental leave for all. Men can be nurturing, loving, and patient parents…let’s give them the opportunity to do that.

– Brian Underwood / Bayside, NY / Beauty Director, Oprah Magazine

Alex Galbally // @daddy_to_triplet_girls

Modern day fatherhood is giving every ounce of what you have to give your children the best start in life and hopefully they will love you half as much as you love them 😀

– Alex Galbally / United Kingdom / Accountant

Simon White // @mr_simon_white

Modern fatherhood is about leaving, I hope, the legacy of 3 wonderful humans who want to learn and understand gender, culture and race as best they can to be able to challenge the current situation the world is in. I hope I can show them that if they can be a blessing to others that will allow them to feel better about themselves when times get tough.

– Simon White / Melbourne, Australia

Kent Mahoney // @kentmo

Modern fatherhood is about passing down useful skills and knowledge to our kids. Preparing our children to be independent and successful out in the world has always been a fundamental part of being a father, but today, the range of skills deemed acceptable for a man to teach (and how much fun we get to have doing it) has significantly expanded.

-Kent Mahoney / Vero Beach, Florida / Head of Sales

Eli Weinstein // @elivation_therapist

Modern fatherhood is BEING there with your kids. Disconnecting from life and connecting to what’s truly important, your family!

– Eli Weinstein / Queens, NY / Therapist and Podcast Host @thedudetherapist /  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1052086

Nils Dahlgren // @blended.family.dad

Modern fatherhood is first and foremost about bettering yourself. I constantly reflect on whether or not I am exhibiting the qualities I want to see in my boys, and often times I fall short. If I want my kids to communicate with me, am I communicating my thoughts and feelings with them? Do they see me communicating with my friends? If I want them to be empathetic and inclusive, am I demonstrating those qualities in my daily life? As I see positive changes in myself, I also see my parenting improve.

– Nils Dahlgren / Seattle / Team Manager

Kevin Seldon // @dilfpodcast

Modern Fatherhood is all about being present and available to your family. It’s about ignoring outdated gender roles that see dads as a secondary figure on the homefront. It’s about being actively involved, wearing many hats, acknowledging your faults, and not being scared to be vulnerable in front of your children…. while encouraging them to do the same in return.

– Kevin Seldon / Los Angeles, California / Creator + Host, The DILF Podcast (Dad I’d Like To…FRIEND)

Marlon Gutierrez // @beingpapa

Modern fatherhood is a chance to throw away your preconceived notions of what it means to be a father to create a new narrative through change, adaptation, and exploration in order to be the best dad for your own kids and the world they will be living in.

– Marlon Gutierrez / Orlando, Florida / VP of Marketing

Vadim Lavrusik // @vadim

Modern fatherhood is present, intentional and gracious. Modern fathers will redeem the fatherless generation and create a new legacy of what it means to be a father.

– Vadim Lavrusik / California / Product Management at YouTube

Shane McDermott // @dairyallergydad

Modern fatherhood is breaking down the traditional notions that men play a smaller role in their child’s life and promoting equal parental bonds, unique in their own way. My focus has always been on, not only spending quality time with my daughter (and now my son), but also nurturing the kind of positive dad-child relationship that brings it in line with 21st Century thinking.

– Shane McDermott / Donegal, Ireland / Stay-At-Home Dad

Ian Nospmoht // @adventures_of_daddy

Modern fatherhood is being everything your child needs. Families come in all shapes and sizes. All my kids need is consistency and love. They’re my whole world.

– Ian Nospmoht / Isle of Wight, UK

Andrew Taylor //@its.andrewtaylor

Modern Fatherhood is about balancing everyday life with being a role model for kids. The stress of today’s world can take a toll on being a parent but at the end of the day we as fathers need to be there to teach our kids the fundamentals of being a good person and prepare them for the challenges they will face the best we can.

– Andrew Taylor / Brighton, Ontario, Canada / Automotive Service Manager

David Vo // @thetravofamily

Modern Fatherhood is wonderfully undefined. There are constant reminders of how each father has their own style of winning as a father.

– David Vo / Full time Husband, Father, Entrepreneur

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