Dad Blog: African American Dad

June 15, 2009 by
Filed under: Black Blogger Postings, Family, Relationships, Society & Culture 

The first dad blogger on the list for All About Dads Week, is the author of the blog African American Dad. I came across Keith’s blog when I was searching for black bloggers to add to my reading list. He had a post on potty training his son Dev and was able to offer me some advice for my son. Here’s an excerpt from his about us page. Go check it out at fatherdad.com. I can guarantee, you’ll enjoy reading about his journey through fatherhood.

When my son was born his body temperature was a bit low. In order to get it to normal he was taken away and put under a special baby-warming heat lamp. While the treatment was being explained to me I thought of flame broiling burgers at Burger King. My kid was going to be delicious.

After being out of my sight for a few seconds I decided to go looking for him. I found my brand new little guy across the hall wearing a tiny diaper and a gauze cap. He seemed vulnerable in the small room as he was slowly being warmed up. I looked him over, counting fingers and toes, and took in the fact that we shared a face. And I noted that his navel was gross.

In an instant it was like the weight of the world landed upon my shoulders. I suddenly realized I was going to be responsible for helping him become a good man – a good black man. I knew my life would never be the same again.

Eventually I built up the nerve to touch him (after a little encouragement from the nurse that had come and gone) and I placed my pinky finger in his munchkin hand. In a voice that he seemed to recognize I whispered to him that I would be there for him no matter what obstacles he may face in this life. I told him how difficult becoming a black man would be, but that together we would make it. I’ll never forget those first moments I spent alone with my son as his dad. They inspired me to continue to do everything I do today!

I graduated Cum Laude with a BA in Urban Studies from Hunter College and I recently became Business Director of a start-up charter school committed to giving quality educations to inner city children, and an a viable alternative to parents that believed they didn’t have one. This is in addition to my work with Malecare, Inc as a program director/developer. My wife Shalawn, is a licensed Medical Social Worker and psychotherapist, and my four year old son Devin is, as of this writing, unemployed.

 

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Comments

2 Comments on Dad Blog: African American Dad

  1. TeenDad on Tue, 11th Aug 2009 8:00 pm

    2. I’m now 19 and experiencing being a dad. I must say although it feels good it’s still hard. I knew it wouldn’t be easy but to be honest, the hard part is having to balance time. My daughter is great and makes managing her never dreadful. -Teen dad

  2. theo.johnson on Thu, 13th Aug 2009 1:28 pm

    3. Teen Dad,

    Congrats on standing up and being in your child’s life. It’ll be hard, but just know the time you’re taking to raise her will be more than worth it in the end. In this day and time, young girls need a good father figure because you’re the first man she’ll ever know. You have the ability to set the bar for the type of characteristics that she’ll be looking for in a man as she goes through life. Thanks for posting your experience on the blog.

    P.S. I checked out your blog and think it’s great. I’ll link it to my site.

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