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Can the NBA Make Free Throws Entertaining This Season?
By: Lon Shapiro
Tags: Free Throw, NBA, Sports, Basketball, Humor

NBA 2020–2021 Preview, Part 1

Can the NBA Make Free Throws Entertaining This Season?

Shaq is still crying about his free throws. USA Today

On the eve of a new NBA season, the game is still plagued by the “Hack-a-Shaq.”

And the only thing more boring than the intentional foul itself is the way announcers call the play.

The dead time during these plays should allow announcers to shine creatively by telling funny stories.

Except when Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson provide color commentary — just turn off the sound because the entire game is dead time

At the very least, announcers should work on finding new catch phrases to replace the long-obsolete Hack-A-Shaq.

O’Neal hasn’t thrown up a brick in nine years, unless you count his comments on Inside the NBA.

Come on, NBA announcers, I’ve made this easy for you with a new and improved list of some of the worst free throw shooters in the NBA and humorous ways to describe their torturous journeys at the foul line.
NBA Daily Fantasy Analysis 22/12/2020
By: Jayden Desmond
Tags: NBA, Fantasy Sports, Sports, Basketball, DraftKings

I thought this day would never come. The NBA is back! If you’re anything like me, you were chomping at the bit for the NBA fantasy season to kick off after the way it finished last year.

Here’s the first edition of Fantasy Basketball Daily for the 2020–2021 NBA season :)

Must plays

These are the guys that I don’t know how you don’t play. Tough to create a line up without these guys:

Eric Paschall ($3,800 on DK) Projected DK Pts 22- With Dray out, he should be playing close to 30 minutes. At close to minimum pricing, it would be a huge fade to not have him. Easily the play of the day.

Joe Harris ($4,800 on DK) Projected DK Pts 24- A very safe play at the salary. Will play 30 minutes and get plenty of good looks in this system, along with Kyrie and KD drawing plenty of attention.

Montrezl Harrell ($5,300 on DK) Projected DK Pts 26- Revenge game. Should play 25 minutes and have plenty of usage, presumably in the second unit. Implied point total of 24, can’t see how he doesn’t get that.

Paul George ($7,800 on DK) Projected DK Pts 39- I recon he’ll be back this season. Big game game 1 V the Lakers. Cheap for the star that he is. Must have in my opinion.

The Other Guys

That then leaves 5 guys to fill out your rosters. My pool is as follows:

Anthony Davis ($10,000 on DK) Projected DK Pts 51 - The most expensive player for the day, but for good reason. Should top score and is always capable of dropping an absolute monster.

Kyrie Irving ($8,500 on DK) 42 - With the value on offer, you should be able to get in a few of these studs. High tempo game that Kyrie should score well in.

Serge Ibaka ($5,200 on DK) 25- Should get 26 minutes and at this salary, should be enough to provide value.

Stephen Curry ($9,300 on DK) Projected DK Pts 47- We don’t get a big discount on Curry considering he didn’t play last season really, but is still in a great spot here VS Brooklyn.

Pat Beverley ($4,400 on DK) Projected DK Pts 20 - A value play here. Will start and should play 25+ minutes. Gives him a solid floor and if he gets going can put up numbers.

Lou Williams ($5,400 on DK) Projected DK Pts 23- Again a decent floor play at a lower salary. Should play 27 minutes and again, we all know if he gets hot, he can score big.

Recommended Team

Kyrie Irving

Paul George

Joe Harris

Eric Paschall

Serge Ibaka

Patrick Beverley

Anthony Davis

Montrezl Harrell

Good luck! Make sure to let us know how you go :)
Sports Betting Day 1
By: James O'Dowda
Tags: NBA, Money, Betting, Sports, Betting Tips

My entire life I have been a fan of anything competitive. From playing house league hockey as a kid to beating my friends in NBA2K online, anything that could be competitive I was interested in.

Last year I took this passion to another step, I started betting on NBA games, seeing as that was my second favourite sport and refuse to ruin my true love, hockey, over money. Within the year I made 500 dollars from gambling with little to no knowledge on what I was doing, so I decided to change that.

Since the start of COVID-19, I have been working on a sports betting model for the NBA and decided to hold myself accountable and share with you my picks for each game, how much I wager, and my overall record. This is a litmus test on if I am smart enough to make a career out of projections.

With Day 1 of the NBA season only an hour away from tip off, I will not be going into detail of what my model does or why I am picking the games, because I am still trying to figure that out as well, but this is a gambling blog so I have to make some picks.

Day 1 of the NBA season has the Brooklyn Nets vs Golden State Warriors (+7.5) and the Los Angeles Lakers vs Los Angeles Clippers (+2.5), my picks for these games are the Brooklyn Nets (-7.5) and the Los Angeles Clippers (+2.5). 10 dollars placed on each bet, so in total I am wagering 20 bucks on two bets.

Best of luck to everyone, and in the coming days I will be going more in depth as to why I am betting games, and how sports betting actually works.

James
A Safe Place To Fall
By: Vuyo Ngcakani
Tags: Thanks Dad, Poetry, Parenting, Fatherhood, Be A Man

A Safe Place To Fall

Photo by Mark Fletcher-Brown on Unsplash

Thank you daddy for giving me a safe place to fall

Thank you daddy for showing me how to stand tall

Thank you daddy for pouring in me all you can

Thank you daddy for modeling how to be a man

Sometimes it’s like a dove, soft and gentle like

Sometimes it’s like a bull, tough and ready to strike

Be slow to anger and quick to turn a cheek

Sometimes you need a sword but mostly just be meek

Now I have a son and it’s because of you

He will be raised well, I know just what to do

You’ve done well dad, I want you to see

That you will leave behind a great legacy.
Thanks for writing this!
By: Rice
Tags: Mental Health, Life Lessons, Advice, Parenting, Fatherhood

Thanks for writing this!

I too, used to struggle with finding the right words to describe emotions. I first realized this when I was asked to use an emotion word to describe how I felt and I was unable to. It’s definitely a learning process.
Thanks for writing this, Chrissy.
By: Rice
Tags: Relationships, Advice, Parenting, Fatherhood, Love

Thanks for writing this, Chrissy.

I’m in the same boat with you. And it’s always an uphill battle with internal and external forces. On one hand, I know I have strengths and good approaches. On the other hand, I know there are women out there who rock at life!

Problem is, I largely haven’t experienced this in relationships. Who knows, maybe it’s an issue with how we perceive ourselves in relation to others.

I suppose all you can really expect from any relationship is love and respect. They can be different and have short-comings as long as love and respect is a two-way street.

Thanks again!
Number three is especially helpful advice.
By: Rice
Tags: Mental Health, Advice, Parenting, Family, Fatherhood

Number three is especially helpful advice. As a teacher, far too often I’ve seen parents respond to misbehavior with increased frustration. Sadly, this winds up solidifying the trauma further. The pre-frontal cortex for kids isn’t fully developed. Hell, even if it was, a traumatic event should always be met with understanding and grace.

Before I go on a tangent, I’d like to say thank you for writing this.
You Need Me
By: Nathan Cohen
Tags: Parenthood, Poetry, Fatherhood, Father And Daughter, Growing Up

You’ve needed me since day one

When you couldn’t speak a word

You’d point and grunt, you’d shout and huff

For no reason but absurd

You’ve needed me to feed you

And be at your beck and call

“I demand my sippy cup!”

You shout, “That I just did make fall”

You’ve needed me to go down stairs

As I rush to prevent you stumble

“Let me go down!” you seem to say

Then frown, and pout and mumble

You’ll need me as you age

And realize life’s not free

You’ll make your asks, and I’ll say “Yes”

As I become the Giving Tree

You needed me in the past

In the future, and right now

But that is nothing like the way

I have needed you and how
Christmas Edition!
By: Jack Heimbigner
Tags: The Productivity Dad, Christmas, Podcast, Parenting, Fatherhood

The Productivity Dad Podcast

Christmas Edition!

Season Two — Episode 4

Merry Christmas!

We have reached Christmas week and everyone in our household is super excited! With Christmas and the end of the year around the corner, I will be taking a break on the podcast, but wanted to get one more out before 2021 hits.

In today’s podcast, you will find the following:

3 tips for last-minute building, shopping, and wrapping.

And, 10 last-minute gift ideas.

We hope you have a wonderful holiday, and can’t wait to be back with you for the New Year to help you get things done too. Thank you for reading, listening, and supporting us!
3 Things You Don’t Need To Be A Good Dad
By: Mark Craven
Tags: Success, Self Improvement, Family, Fatherhood, Self

1. You Don’t Need To Be A New York Times Bestselling Author To Be A Good Dad

This is, in fact, where my mind was when Erin told me that a baby was on the way. I fully believed that if I wasn’t to the level of success in my writing that I considered true success, then I could never be a good dad.

Since having Kai this past August, and still not becoming a New York Times Bestselling author, it turns out, apparently, that this isn’t a requirement to get lost in that little dude’s smile for countless moments throughout the day. Kai has no idea if my writing is great or if it’s trash — mostly because he doesn’t know what writing is yet. His most recent discovery was his right ear.

The thing that’s most important to Kai is his cereal and when Daddy sings to him.

In that order.

2. You Don’t Need Seven Digits In Your Bank Account To Be A Good Dad

Until I achieved financial freedom, I didn’t think I’d be a good dad. I thought that my bank account had to be bursting at the seams before I’d be able to howl like a werewolf at Halloween while my two-month-old tried to copy me and howl back. But I was wrong. And it’s actually the cutest thing I’ve ever seen in my entire life.

That happened without owning a private jet.

3. You Don’t Need To Be Perfect To Be A Good Dad

I seem to remember having visions of myself being “grown-up” with six-pack abs, standing at about 6'8, and essentially being Bruce Wayne — This isn’t from when I was little, this was like last year.

I could probably do the abs thing if I cut out pizza but how the hell do I make myself grow 8 inches — not to mention, where do you even find a Batsuit?

Kai is now four months old and cries if anyone other than Erin and I are holding him. So, there is something about my not perfect-ness and not Bruce Wayne-ness that this baby clings to. And I love it.
The Dad Hammer Times
By: Jack Heimbigner
Tags: Reading, Parenting, Family, Fatherhood, Newsletter

The Dad Hammer Times

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!

This week’s Dad Hammer Times will be the last one of 2020. Over the next couple of weeks, we will take some time to recharge, think of new strategies for next year, and update our submission guidelines.

We will still be available to post your wonderful work of course and add new writers as they look forward to joining us.

However, for this newsletter, we want to give a quick update on the state of The Dad Hammer Pub, share this year’s top stories, and share a glimpse into what we are thinking for the future.

State of The Dad Hammer Pub

This year has been a good one, we have added many more writers, seen some amazing stories, and grown our following at a purely organic rate. All that to be said here is where we stand on a few things:

Medium Followers: 325 Facebook Page Likes: 45 Twitter Followers: 42

I share this information with you because it is important to know that while we work hard to share your work when you publish it, we cannot always get the reach we want without our writers and readers being sure to connect on Facebook and Twitter.

Please take a moment to “like” the Facebook Page, and Follow us on Twitter!

2020’s Top Stories

These are some of our top stories from this year. If you missed any of them, be sure to jump in, read, clap and leave a comment!

Again, if one of two of these stands out, show your appreciation for our writers, jump in, read, and share some encouragement with them!

Where do we go from here?

As we look to the future here at The Dad Hammer Pub, we wonder, where do we go from here? There will be changes for next year for sure. We will update just about the look of everything from the pub main page to the newsletters.

We will also be updating our submission guidelines. Before we lose you, our plan is to make it easier to publish with us. While a lot of major publications are tightening down how they do things, The Dad Hammer pub wants to foster a culture of conversations and sharing viewpoints.

Also, we want to partner with Dad bloggers, YouTubers, and Podcasters. So, if you have any of these specific channels and want to share more of your work on Medium, email me (jrh.medium@gmail.com) and we can discuss a partnership.

Nevertheless, our goal is to build up fathers so we can build up our children.

So, as you think about what you are going to write about or read next year, be ready because we are going to focus on making space to continually build up our children so they can see amazing things as they grow up.

Thank You!

Thank you again for writing and reading here at The Dad Hammer Pub. This space was born out of the need for a publication to make space for fathers to learn and grow and share their experiences. We can’t do that with you.

We hope your family has a wonderful Christmas, Holiday, and New Year!

Thank you again!
I love this article!
By: Rice
Tags: Life Lessons, Relationships, Parenting, Fatherhood, Monday Motivation

I love this article!

Ready or not, I agree that men do think about having children. In early college, I certainly wasn’t ready for a family (even in the near future), but I had already chosen my son’s name.

I wrote his name on a list, kept it for 6 years, then magically “came up” with the idea when his mother asked for my input. Something we easily agreed on. I revealed this to her recently and we had a good laugh about it.

Thanks for writing this!
Who I want to be
By: Sutansyah Marahakim
Tags: Fatherhood

—

When people one day ask.

Why do I always mention him in most conversations?

—

I always look up to him, not because he is indestructible.

I look up to him because he always put himself last.

Because he always knows how to smile.

Because he excludes himself to include everyone.

Because he finds joy in the simplest of things.

Because he has his standards, and stand with them bravely.

Because he always finds a way to learn new things.

Because he knows how to differentiate between intelligence and wisdom.

Because he believes in peace, yet never stop fighting.

Because he can sacrifice himself without declaring it.

Because he knows how when to push, and when to support.

Because he is not there where he needs it, he is there when the others need it.

—

But most importantly,

Because he understands.

The burden.

The hardship.

The distress.

The strength needed to stand like us.

—

One day, I aspire to be like him.

To understand without saying a word.

To be there, without making a scene.

To infect smiles, without showing weakness.

To solve problems instead of showing problems.

To show instead of telling.

To be an example for my children.
Do You Know Your Kid’s Role Model? You Should
By: Kj Hanson
Tags: Motherhood, Youth Sports, Role Models, Parenting, Fatherhood

Do You Know Your Kid’s Role Model? You Should

For better or worse, our kids learn a lot just from watching us. Some things they learn without even realizing it; that’s the case with health and fitness. Your child will eat what you eat, they will be physically active when you’re physically active, and they will develop habits that parallel you own.

Physical wellness is a very good indicator of emotional and mental health. This does not just include eating right and exercising, although those 2 things do help tremendously. There are 4 essential areas that you focus on to help your child be healthier, as well as happier and more successful.

The 4 Essential Areas:

1. Family Bonding

Take a look at the 5 items on that last, the first 4 of them your child learns every day from you. How are you modeling those behaviors for your son or daughter? They will grow up witnessing how well you do in these categories and following almost exactly what you do. Not because they assume that you are doing it the right way, but because that’s the only way they know.

If family time takes a back seat to going out with friends, or to watching a show or a sporting event on T.V, they’ll think that’s just how normal people act.

2. Daily Physical Activity

If you don’t take time each day to participate in some sort of physical activity, the need to do so will likely never ever cross their mind. On the other hand, if you set aside time each day, even if it is just going for a walk, or playing soccer with them in the backyard, they will find time as well when they are older. Finding a hobby that keeps you in shape in a great boost to mental well-being.

3. Proper Nutrition

Proper nutrition almost goes without saying. If you eat pizza and burgers every day, that’s what your child will eat. Even if you force them to eat healthy, if you don’t walk the walk, they will disregard whatever you try to teach them about eating right.

4. Quality Sleep

Quality sleep seems like the easiest one to accomplish, but is often the first thing to be sacrificed in a hectic schedule. Putting your child to be on time is great to help them get the amount of sleep that they need. However, in the long run, they will not value the importance of sleep if they know that you are habitually getting only 4–5 hours a night.
Been seeing a lot of posts about Alpha's, both male and female of late and I think it's time we…
By: Anthony Odle
Tags: Misconception, Alpha, Strength, Alpha Male, Fatherhood

Been seeing a lot of posts about Alpha's, both male and female of late and I think it's time we revised the usage of the term.

Stemming from the observations of Wolves, it seems that along the way the picture of what an alpha is has been hijacked with an excuse for being aggressive, domineering, and highly competitive.

Growing up watching and loving wildlife documentaries, I have observed a different type of leadership, one that put the family as the priority and acts with a self- assurance that means that they do not feel challenged by every would be challenger or situation.

In fact Alpha Wolves have a calming effect on the pack, through their peaceful interactions and the development of a sharing and caring unit (his family).

The Alpha's ensure that no-one is left behind, no-one goes hungry and every one feels safe and secure.

They play with their cubs and build strong and meaningful bonds with their mate who are instrumental in the fate and future of the packs location, hunting and even when they rest.

They have total respect for the females in the pack and every decision is guided by what is best for the pack.

Us men would do well to emulate the actions of the Alpha wolf that has been successful for centuries rather than the recently created picture of the Alpha male.

Bit.ly/Stop-Losing
At some point, I reframed the question to ask “who do you want to be?”
By: Rice
Tags: Life Lessons, Advice, Entrepreneur, Parenting, Fatherhood

At some point, I reframed the question to ask “who do you want to be?” as opposed to “what do you want to be?” I did this because I struggled for many years to find the what. It wasn’t until recently that I became more serious about pursuing who I want to be.

Truthfully, I believe most people are faking it in at least one thing in life. It’s pretty rare to find someone clearly capturing their dreams.

We tend to overthink our hearts desires, so let’s make it simple and follow out heart.

Thanks for writing this!
“What are you getting your dad for Christmas?”
By: Jack Heimbigner
Tags: Advice, Christmas, Parenting, Ideas, Fatherhood

“What are you getting your dad for Christmas?”

My wife asked me about a week or two ago. I wasn’t very sure. I had a hard enough time thinking of what I want for Christmas. But, I figured it out in the end. Then I realized, it is important for dads everywhere to have a shortlist for Christmas this year.

So, here are 10 awesome gift ideas for Dads:

Check out the list and pick up a last-minute Christmas gift for your dad this week!
My Best Writing of 2020
By: Christopher Pierznik
Tags: Best Of 2020, Writing, Careers, Life, Fatherhood

My Best Writing of 2020

Everyone knows 2020 was not a typical year. In fact, it was probably the weirdest and most stressful twelve months most of us have ever experienced.

Some of the items I wrote this year were in direct response to what was happening in the world — both in macro and the micro sense — while others could’ve been published any other time.

The biggest change to my writing routine was my output — or lack thereof.

I only published 23 pieces this year, half the number of 2019 and a third of the two years prior to that. I’d love to say that this is simply a product of quality over quantity and I certainly hope that was a byproduct, but the truth is also that this was probably the busiest year of my life.

From being the point person for all COVID-19 reporting for a large health system to going back to grad school to my other full-time role as a husband and father of two (including a toddler that hates to sleep), it became very difficult to find time to scribble my nonsense on this site.

It wasn’t a total loss. I did publish nearly two dozen things and I think some of them are pretty strong.

I wrote about what it’s like to work for a hospital during a global pandemic and the struggle of parenting while also being an essential worker. I celebrated Kamala Harris’s success and what it means to little brown girls like my daughters, went long on the experience of being sent back to school as a 40-year-old father of two, and looked at the difference between playing a father on Instagram and actually being one.

I reflected on my life through the lens of my late best friend who would’ve turned 40 this year and examined why grey, overcast autumn days speak to my soul.

I still found time to write about some lighter topics.

I fantasized about a Batman film starring Jim Carrey in the title role.

I don’t write about hip-hop like I used to, but I still managed commemorate the twentieth anniversary of Ghostface Killah’s classic, Supreme Clientele, and mocked a Ranker list of the best rappers of all time.

I praised Jerry West as the best NBA player that never won an MVP award and I argued with anyone that claimed that LeBron James was not the player of the decade.

All of those pieces are listed by category below.
Number 12 sticks out to me. I’d to that by saying “…instead incentivize finding intrinsic value”.
By: Rice
Tags: Teaching, Children, Advice, Parenting, Fatherhood

Number 12 sticks out to me. I’d to that by saying “…instead incentivize finding intrinsic value”.

For example, every time my 2 year old places his dish in the sink, he runs over to me for a high five. He feels proud of himself for making the right choice.

Thanks for writing this!
My Child
By: Paul H. Harder Ii
Tags: Fatherhood, Poetry, Faith, Christian

My child,

you fell and bruised your arm.

You’re feeling such alarm.

You don’t know what to do,

but I believe in you.

Your body, time will heal,

and your daddy’s here to help.

My child,

rejection ruined your day.

It hurts, what people say.

You don’t know what to do,

but I believe in you.

Your wounded soul can heal,

and your father wants to help.

My child,

undone by ugly sin,

you’re feeling sick within.

You don’t know what to do,

but I believe in you.

Your spirit can be healed,

if you let the Father help.

____________

Copyright ©2019, Paul H. Harder II

This poem is licensed under a Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0 License.
“My 11 year old daughter is driving us crazy accessing adult content on her phone”
By: Father Of Five
Tags: Motherhood, Opinion, Parenting, Family, Fatherhood

Firstly, I’m really surprised that people are willing to be so open about the questions they are asking.

“Severe, severe headline and egg infestation” “Soiled underwear. Should I put up with this?” “What age is appropriate for father and daughter physical contact?”

Do we really want to share these topics with complete strangers?

Maybe the point is that they are complete strangers, and so we can hide behind the anonymity of our online persona.

However, surely the better people to speak to are people who know us and whose opinion we trust, based on the fact that WE KNOW THEM.

Why would we want to listen to the opinion of someone who we have no idea how qualified they are to answer the question?

In answer to the question “What age is appropriate for father and daughter physical contact?” username Daisy123 might say that 16 is fine, but who’s to say that Daisy123 isn’t a middle aged lonely man, or our husband in disguise? How is Daisy123 qualified to give a suitable response?
Sonnet №51 — the last to die. It was around 9:00 am EST, on December…
Tags: Covid Poetry, Friendship, The Rookie Dad, Covid Poem, Fatherhood

Photo credit CBC.ca

It was around 9:00 am EST, on December 17, 2020, my young friend Brandon Billinger, known and loved around the Blogosphere as @TheRookieDad, lost his father to Covid_19. To Brandon and his family, I dedicate Covid Poem 4.

Sonnet 51 — the last to die — Covid poem 4

The body count is rising every day.

We keep our dead in skate rinks, dead on ice.

Old men in charge — who mere pretend to pray;

no shits to give, they rolled us and the dice.

We’re all the dead — my brother and my wife.

Thousands dead, more than died in Viet Nam.

Despots chose their money o’er our lives;

those is charge, I pray their souls be damned.

Our doctors and our nurses, nobly haunted,

their faces for all time scarred with terror.

Brave wade in, stare down demons undaunted

All those lives, so many lost in error.

Of thousands, who shall be the last to die

because of evil men who horrify?

— -May 2020.

This sonnet can save change your life. I’m bringing sonnets back. Please support the cause with a few claps and a follow. Thank-you.
Your story brought me to tears.
By: Rice
Tags: Fatherhood, Love, Life Lessons, Parenting

Your story brought me to tears. There’s so much loss and love embedded throughout. My heart warms knowing that you and your son had that final moment together. A great writer, and a better mom.
Hey Anthony,
By: Rice
Tags: Life Lessons, Advice, Parenting, Fatherhood, Seattle

Hey Anthony,

Fellow Seattle writer here. I appreciate this reminder. My son is not yet three, but I make it a point to focus on actions rather than words. And what I’ve learned in my years as a teacher is right in line with what you shared.

Failure is a part of eventual success. And if we don’t like the word “failure”, then I say we pretend we’re falling forward.

Thanks again!
Hey Carlyn,
By: Rice
Tags: Reading, Advice, Parenting, Family, Fatherhood

Hey Carlyn,

Thanks for writing this!

I especially agree with ensuring your kids see you read. If I’ve learned anything from teaching it’s that actions speak louder than words.

I have one addition to Don’t Make It a Chore. I’d add that by simply supplying books in the car, in their room, etc that their curiosity will draw them toward it. The only issue is, this works better if it happens at a young age!
A Dad’s Struggle: Coping With My Baby Girl Turned Boy Crazy 17 Year Old
By: Deante L. Young
Tags: Life Lessons, Mindset, Parenting, Fatherhood, Father And Daughter

It’s so awesome when our kids are babies, then children. My youngest of two is 17 years old at this moment, and watching her evolve more and more into the typical standards of a beautiful young woman is a little sad.

But I’m also handling it better than could be expected.

I’m still used to thinking of her in terms of us watching iCarly together and her having an innocent “kid crush” on Dora the Explorer’s cousin Diego. It was bad enough when she was all about Justin Bieber six or seven years ago. But she is a young woman now in all the ways that a loving dad hates.

About three months ago, she stepped into a whole different world. She got her first job and in so doing, was around a slew of common behaving teenie boppers who began influencing her thoughts and speech immediately.

You see, she had previously been disinterested in socializing. Her mother always bitched for years about her reluctance and avoidance to go out and enjoy her young life.

She typically preferred staying in the house to watch a wealth of television shows. As I said, watching her make up for lost time now is very strange and often upsetting.

But the thing is, I want her to be her own person. Experience life without being scrutinized unnecessarily. She has always been a very good person, that helps me give her leeway.

And the benefit of the doubt.

Since this new job of hers began, she’s talked non stop about boys. She prefers “pretty white boys and Asians.” I’m both grateful and amazed at her willingness to openly discuss many of her thoughts about this guy or that guy.

Of course, I’m not dumb. I know that there’s naturally going to be things that she doesn’t tell me. That can sometimes be appreciated, because as a longtime male myself, I know exactly what we think and how we behave when it comes to girls.

It’s just weird being on this side of things.

Today, she talked about loving the popular but lyrically grotesque song, “WAP” by hip hop artist Megan Thee Stallion. It is at once a brow raising piece of artistic freedom and a compulsive declaration of the virtuosity of its narrator’s “wet ass pussy.”

I’m no prude — far from it, actually. I’m the guy who has long idolized Hugh Hefner and Howard Stern, for fuck’s sake!

But hearing my baby girl tell me that she really likes that song made me yearn for those long ago days of Diego being enough for her.

Damn.
Sci Greene — COVID-19 Prison Update Received by USA International Men’s Day Team and In Search of Fatherhood(R)
By: Agents Of Change
Tags: Covid 19, Life Lessons, Prison, Fatherhood, Prison Reform

Sci Greene — COVID-19 Prison Update Received by USA International Men’s Day Team and In Search of Fatherhood(R)

Photo credit: Shutterstock

By Diane A. Sears

IN SEARCH OF FATHERHOOD(R) and the United States Team for the International Men’s Day Impartial And Fair Treatment In Parole Initiative just received the following e-mail from an incarcerated soul at SCI GREENE whose identity is not being revealed to protect him from possible retaliation from authorities.

“My cohort has been put on quarantine. Apparently, they released an inmate from the hospital to the unit who was infected with the Coronavirus. This inmate was in the hospital for 9 days diagnosed with pneumonia. He was released back to the unit 2 doors away about a week ago. Today he returned to the hospital and a few hours later we were placed on precautionary quarantine. This may be due to the recent COVID-positive case on the tier above me. They were put on full 14-day quarantine 3 days ago. One can only hope that the test comes back negative. I’m good for now. More updates later.”

WHAT WE CAN DO

Call or send a letter by e-mail, fax, or United States Postal Service which asks for:

(1) Release — with all deliberate speed — of elderly and aging incarcerated Men and Women and incarcerated souls with pre-existing medical conditions who are vulnerable to contracting and dying from COVID-19 — particularly those souls who are serving life without parole sentences and do not and will not pose a public safety threat, many of whom stand ready to return to their community to implement research-driven and solutions-based initiatives they designed while institutionalized for decades to end gun violence, intergenerational incarceration, Fatherlessness, “school-to-prison” pipeline, and recidivism.

(2) Provide free access to and distribution of masks and personal hygiene items — soap and disinfectants to all incarcerated souls throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in compliance with COVID-19 protocols mandated by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov)

(3) Implementation and strict enforcement of the wearing of masks for all staff members working in correctional facilities throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania — NO EXCEPTIONS
Christmas Wishes and Messages for father
By: Wishes Log
Tags: Message, Christianity, Christmas, Fatherhood, Wishes

Dads are the backbone of our family and christmas celebrations. Christmas is the festival for the family. Christmas is nothing without mom and dad. Whatever your today is because of your father. He shared his knowledge , wisdom and experiences. Christmas gives you the perfect opportunity to tell him how much you love him. Send perfect Christmas wishes and Messages for your father.

Also Read: 100+ Christmas Wishes for Dad
I agree with number 6.
By: Rice
Tags: Christianity, Life Lessons, Advice, Parenting, Fatherhood

I agree with number 6. Instead of using this saying, I’d reword it as “God created you as you are and will never leave you”.

The sentiment being that one can be flawed and burdened, but very much loved.

Thanks for sharing!
The Dad Hammer Times, 12/14/2020
By: Jack Heimbigner
Tags: Reading, Parenting, Family, Fatherhood, Newsletter

“One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters.” –George Herbert

As fathers, we teach our children so much more than a teacher at school or at church. This is because our children are learning every little detail from us. They see how we handle difficult situations and how we celebrate amazing news. And they learn from us how to show affection and give encouragement.

There aren’t many things our children miss when it comes to the example of our lives. They see it all, store it in their memories, and then replicate our example as they grow up.

This is why it is important to learn how to say ‘I love you,’ or ‘I’m sorry.’ We must learn how to show a complete life to our children so they can learn how to live a complete life. We cannot miss out on the opportunities to teach them life lessons that they will forever take with them.
Sonnet I
By: Richard Montalvo
Tags: Writing, Sonnet, Poetry, Fatherhood, Poems On Medium

Writes short fiction and poems; also literary criticism and non-fiction. Heteronyms: Simon Stylides, and Ira Pennygent. MA English Literature at Nottingham '22.
Child and Father
By: Rahul Anand
Tags: Short Form, Fatherhood, Parents, Childhood, Self

It was a regular school morning back in the ’90s. I was put into the day boarding school because of my working parents, who slogged hard to make ends meet.

I dreaded those mornings as they took me away from my parents till evening. My father had teary eyes on occasions while dropping me off for school on his bicycle.

One fine day, we crossed the school building. Surprised, I asked dad, aren’t you dropping me for school today. He said, “I want to adore what you do throughout the day.”

A tear rolled down his eye.
Don’t I have some rights as a dad?
By: Phil Wall
Tags: Dads, Emotional Intelligence, Parenting, Fatherhood, Parenting Advice

When it comes to your kids, how many things are you willing to do to each day that you don’t want to do? How many times before you snap?

Seriously at what point do you say… ENOUGH!

Don’t I have some rights as a dad?

Can I not just say to my 11-year-old girl or 6-year-old boy:

“No, I’m not going to play those games.”

“No, I don’t want you to help me split the wood.”

“No, you can’t come and workout with me.”

“No, I don’t want you to come with me for a swim.”

No, I can’t most of the time. And no I don’t have rights. I have responsibilities. And the privilege, to be dad.

I’m not the perfect dad. But I am great at everyday intentionally working at being a better dad than I was yesterday.

It does get super tiring at times. Can anyone blame me?

Absolutely they can. It’s my responsibility to own it and get better regardless of what caused me to lose my helmet.

It doesn’t matter it you are the best looking, the richest, or whether you have letters before or after your name.

It comes down to whether or not you care about your kids and love them enough to do something about it.

Note: I’m not talking about whether or not my kids push too far. This is all on me.
I love your style.
By: Rice
Tags: Wealth, Life Lessons, Advice, Money, Fatherhood

I love your style. Easy to read and relatable. I enjoy writing for others, but I will continue to keep this in mind.
Wonder
By: Andre Loli
Tags: Life, Wonder, Baby, Fatherhood, Childhood

For my son, Aiden Miguel Loli, born October 20th, 2020, and for all the parents out there…

I looked through my childhood picture album yesterday, and instantly, I travelled back in time. I travelled to days of wonder and euphoria. I could feel the rough yet cushy texture of the carpet below me, as I watched my brother guide 8-bit Mario to victory over Bowser. I could trace the contours of scuffs on the walls of my childhood home.

My shin ached at the pain of all my childhood scrapes, my body eased into the comfort of my

nonito’s arms. I chuckled at the back and forth banter between my nonita and my mom. I felt the thrill of surviving the great rollercoaster ride created by my brother and my stroller, and my mother’s shrieking yell chasing after us.

And then, my son, I looked at you, and I felt the age wear on my face. I felt the weight of my world slowly begin to bear down on my soul.

And then, my son, I looked at you once more and life felt both infinite and fleeting all at once. That same sense of wonder surrounded me once again, except this time, it was yours.
First dates are typically something I enjoy, but I’ve had my fair share of “interesting moments”.
By: Rice
Tags: Relationships, Fatherhood, Life Lessons, Advice

First dates are typically something I enjoy, but I’ve had my fair share of “interesting moments”.

The one that sticks out to me is when a date treats serving staff poorly. It says a lot about a person. I’d like to believe how she treats a server is a representation of how she’ll treat me.

Great read!
intrinsic value -- very important!
By: Tantra Bensko
Tags: Daughters, College, Parenting, Dad, Fatherhood

3 Things to Teach Your Daughter Before She Goes to College

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Sometimes you read a story so powerful you have to immediately share it with everyone.
By: Mary Devries
Tags: Healing, Shaving, Death, Fatherhood, Grief

Sometimes you read a story so powerful you have to immediately share it with everyone. This story from Osundolire Oladapo Ifelanwa is one of those.

Not long ago, I stood in front of the mirror with my face lathered up for a shave when I realized that I looked just the way he did at the morgue where I offered to give him one last shave so he could look good in death. The contrast of his enamel-coloured teeth against the white of the shaving cream and, most especially, the lack of expression on his face — all these stared back at me as I stopped to stare at my reflection.
Absolutely!
By: Rice
Tags: Newborn, Life Lessons, Parenting, Family, Fatherhood

Absolutely! During each sleep regression it felt as if my son had “Spidey Senses”. When I walked by his room or prepared for my bedtime, he had a knack for waking up. Sleep regression is very real.

Thanks for speaking it so clearly!
The Rules of Stupidly Assigned Roles
By: Terry Trueman
Tags: Childhood, Poetry, Family, Fatherhood, Love

I’ll be 73 years old next week, and only now am I starting to understand my dad . . . starting . . .

Author much younger with parents, Image courtesy of author’s private pics

My Father

I miss my dad.

not that whole

dewy-eyed,

sentimental,

made-For-TV

kind of miss him.

Not Disney

or sitcoms

or the

hero of the story

whose kids

all adore him

(though none

of them have any speaking parts

so who can tell for sure?)

I don’t

miss his constant wisdom

(if there ever was any)

or witty

lessons

(if he ever offered any)

and I don’t miss

our long walks/

talks/fishing trips

(because we never had any)

or throwing a ball

or his wise sayings about life

ectetcetc

blahblahblah

I don’t miss the feeling

of being afraid of him

or later,

I don’t miss

feeling glad or bad

about disappointing him,

which were major emotions for me

with him

and are permanent

memories

of our

‘Relationship,’

such as it was.

I don’t miss his corrections,

sometimes

sarcastic and

caustic,

sometimes just

flat-out cruel.

Nor do I miss the very few times

he angrily laid hands on me

his face twisted into

something,

between

exasperation

and hateful rage —

So,

I miss him?

Really?

How? Why?

What I miss

is what I imagine

he and I might have been

together

if our roles,

father and son

hadn’t been so

stupidly

assigned

and accepted —

I miss

how we might have been

friends

if we’d been

just a couple guys,

who met under

different circumstances,

like two strangers

in a bar

flirting with a couple

pretty women,

good looking blond sisters,

and this stranger and I

realizing,

we need to work together

to pull off

anything good

before ‘Last call’.

In other words,

I miss my dad,

my father

not for who he was

but for who we might have been —

I miss the guy

he couldn’t be with me

and I miss

the guy I could never be with him.

The best I can manage now

is to confess that

if all the rules about

loving family

weren’t real

(and I think they aren’t)

I’d still miss my old man,

for reasons I don’t begin

to understand —

or need to.

***************************************

Wikipedia & Encyclopedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Trueman

The poem My Father is in this book, available at Amazon and some other places like Latahbooks.com
The Heart of God; The Father’s heart. ❤️
By: Precious Adagbonlen Esosa
Tags: Fatherhood, Spirituality Growth, Love

The Heart of God; The Father’s heart. ❤️

Your mercy, triumphs over judgement Love wider than horizons Stronger than all sin…

Those lyrics are from the song; The Heart of God ( Hillsong) what truth it speaks! It describes God so well, I dare say many people do not understand or even know God and it’s sad because all we know is what has been shown or described to us by others, we have a way of using people’s actions to describe God( I used to as well). A friend sent me a book titled, THE PARABLE OF THE DANCING GOD and that book extensively explained the nature of God to me.

I remember being in children’s class in church and the only lesson i remember about the Parable of the Prodigal Son was not to be like him ,we all focused on the son and his actions but, hey! What about the Father? don’t you think Jesus told that parable so they could all understand the nature and heart of the Father? Don’t you think that’s how God is ? loving, Forgiving (completely) and not holding your sin in a jar to spill it all on you?

In the parable, before the son got home , the father saw him from afar and ran down to hug and welcome his son not even remembering his mistake, he threw him a party! Beats our expectations and thoughts of who God is right? Well, all that God has towards me and you is Love, he’s so eager to welcome you home and throw you a welcome party . He would leave the ninety- nine to find you! I’m honestly still trying to get used to this beautiful truth, that he’s not mad at me or waiting to scold me when I do something , but I promise as we keep going with him, learning and unlearning about him, it’ll become very real to us… His Love. He’s not the religious leaders who have ridiculed and rejected you, He’s also not your Nigerian( or whatever nationality) father or mother who keeps reminding you of your sins and problems, that’s not God. I know many humans and even Christians do this a lot but it will interest you to know that their actions does not change a God without flaws.

Maybe you should read the parable and see for yourself ( Luke 15) , I pray that the eyes of your understanding are enlightened and that you know your heavenly Father more.

Have a splendid day ! I love you❤️
It’s Okay to Have an Off Day as a Dad
By: Christopher Kokoski
Tags: Life Lessons, Advice, Parenting, Family, Fatherhood

It’s Okay to Have an Off Day as a Dad

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Some days I’m not a very good dad.

I work too much, listen too little, get stressed out over things that don’t matter and rush quality time.

The worst part is that I usually know I’m doing it. But I don’t stop. I don’t pivot to better parenting. I stay focused on work, bills, chores, and passion projects. I let the moments slip right past me.

Later, I will lay in bed and feel ashamed. Alone in my guilt, I will berate myself:

I should pay more attention to my kids.

What’s wrong with me?

What if they don’t feel loved?

What if I lose connection with them?

Maybe you can relate. Being a father isn’t easy. If it was, it wouldn’t be near as important. What we do (or don’t do) as fathers, shapes the lives of our kids. Sometimes I forget how absolutely vital fatherhood is to my family, and to the world.

“A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” — Billy Graham

Shaming yourself doesn’t help

I also forget that I don’t have to be perfect, that it’s ok to have an off day as a dad.

“Dad guilt” is very real. It can feel terrible to realize that we are not living up to our own self-imposed fatherhood expectations.

At the same time, shame hurts us as dads and keeps us from being the fathers we were meant to be:

Shaming ourselves only worsens the problem. It isolates us in our own anxieties instead of freeing us to seek forgiveness and to make a positive change.

Shame shifts us into the “blame game” where we dig up all of our faults, foibles, and flaws.

Instead of shame, both personal experience and research I’ve published in scientific journals, convince me that we’re better off embracing our imperfections, acknowledging our mistakes, and doing better next time.

Why it is okay to have an off day as a dad

Here’s the bottom line: dads are not perfect, and nobody expects you to be a perfect father.

On some days you will be too tired to play 16 rounds of Mario Kart races. Some days you will have more work than time. Some days you will mess up, make a fuss, and miss out on opportunities to connect with your kids.

And it's completely ok.

Unless it’s a long-term pattern, your kids are going to be fine. They understand way more than you think they do. They are resilient. If you miss one hour or one night every once in a while, they will likely forgive you and love you anyway.

You can be imperfect and still be a great dad. Actually, there’s probably no other way it can happen.