It is my unique pleasure to be participating in Dad Revolution from the Caribbean, more specifically, the country of Belize. You may know me as Squirt’s Dad on Twitter. I grew up in Southern California but am now living in my home country—where life moves at a slower pace and the people are friendly. I believe I am the only dad in the roster that is not in the U.S. and perhaps that will allow me to provide a different perspective and insight on being a dad.
My journey to this day began in 2007 when I became a first time dad. Looking back, if there is one thing I can say about fatherhood is that it is tough, especially in the beginning. I had no idea what I was in store for and I had no idea what I was doing. But, from the time I changed my son’s very first diaper—with Grandma’s supervision of course—I’ve never looked back. That first year of fatherhood was a blessing and an adventure as much as it was a blur. It was only until late in 2008 that I discovered blogging when I was looking for an ideal way to document the memories and life of my young son. That was when I started my personal blog, Daddy’s lil’ Squirt, which initially was just for friends and family. When my wife was pregnant I told her that all I wanted was for Squirt to reach the age where he would be able to walk, run, play, laugh and talk with me. He is now three years old and I am living that dream. We go everywhere together and I’ve spent almost every single day off with him since he was born. I am not a stay-at-home-dad but I am a full-time-dad.
In January 2010 I started a side project for my son called, Wisdom For My Son, where I am building a life time of advice and guy wisdom for my son from the experiences of my own life.
At the age Squirt is now, he is very impressionable so I am constantly reminding myself to set the example for him. I still remember the day I taught him how to drink from a straw in a glass like me. That was the first time he understood what I was explaining and trying to teach him. We’ve learned a lot together since that day. These days I am enjoying and rediscovering it all over again with my son. Whether we’re being couch potatoes, learning how to pee standing up, drinking the leftover milk straight from the bowl, fixing the truck or learning to ride a bicycle, we do it together as much as possible and it’s made us a very close, inseparable pair. I wouldn’t have it any other way and I believe that is the way it should be. Dad Revolution is the voice of dads like myself, that choose to be there for their sons and daughters and not just a distant male figure of yesteryear.
Being a dad has reshaped my life more than I would have ever known but I do love being a dad and I have come a long way to get here. Lessons had to be learned and relearned. I hope the thoughts and experiences that I will be contributing here will help inspire you to be the inspiration for your child.
Until next time…