dad life

THIS TOO SHALL PASS . This adage of Persian origin is a salve to parents everywhere. “Don’t worry,” it whispers seductively in your ear, “it won’t be like this forever.” And no lies were told. Once you begin to worship at the altar of “This too shall pass” your parenting struggles become something to be endured temporarily, rather than a Sisyphean ... See more

For most of my elementary years, I got two dollars a week — one dollar I could spend however I wanted (usually on baseball cards) and one dollar went into “savings.” And all of it was in cash, if not quarters. As I got older, I know my allowance grew, but my primary source of funds at that point was (cheap) babysitting. Allowance was for chores. It... See more

Looking at other men is a somewhat novel experience for me. In my former life as a non-father, if I took any notice of another man in the same room, it was probably to appraise him physically, on the off chance that we were to become locked in some form of primitive combat. (Would I be able to beat him in a race? How easy would it be for him to str... See more

In the three years of TNF, we’ve covered all kinds of topics and I’ve spent a long time wondering exactly this is. I think there’s something special happening here: a group of dads that have congregated to redefine what fatherhood means for them, and to perhaps contribute towards a shift in the wider definition too. But the core of what this might ... See more

I took care of our son. I'm grateful for our time together. We were in a bubble and grew closer. We forgot about time outside of thirst and hunger, sunrise and sunset.

What's happening to us? How did we arrive at this set of values? How is it possible that 'bullshit tasks' are perceived to be easier/ more enjoyable than 'spending time with your kid' [or just even: any child]? It left me in disbelief.