My mom is 73 years old. Even at that age, she still expresses guilt about certain things that happened when we were kids. It breaks my heart to hear because I don’t think anyone should hold on to guilt and pain for that long. And, of course, it is especially painful to hear because she is my mother. I have told her time and time again that she did right by us. We were always … [Read more...]
A Few Good Men: Our Adorable Gallery of Celebrity Dads and Their Kids
[tps_header]We wanted to highlight the celebrity dads who rep fatherhood well. These 15 celebrity dads—and granddads—are inspirations in their professions but are even bigger idols to the children who call them dad. 15 Celebrity Dads Who Are Never Too Busy to Show Their Fatherly Love [/tps_header] Funny man Kevin Hart poses for the 'Gram with daughter Heaven and son … [Read more...]
The Real MVPs; 9 Reasons Why We Love Our Dads
[tps_header] Life as a black man in America isn’t easy. Time and time again, history has shown us that our men are devalued, disrespected and stigmatized in the most damaging ways. As a woman who didn’t grow up having a good relationship with her father, some would expect me to have harsh words for the man that gave me life. I don’t. I’m not mad at him or what … [Read more...]
4 Ways Fathers Teach Their Children to Respect Their Mother
Dads have such a profound influence on their children. Daddies are being watched by their kids all the time. Their little hawk eyes don’t miss much. Even when we think they are not looking, they are watching. Taking in everything they see. Mothers and fathers, both hold a significant role in their children’s lives. However, right now we are talking about the influence of a … [Read more...]
Detroit Dad Transforms Neighborhood to Create Family Fun
Talk about a man who is trying to do the right thing. Dan Davis of Detroit decided to take an empty lot near his house and transform into an outdoor space that children and families in his neighborhood could enjoy. Next door to his home, Davis has set up a barbecue grill, a fire pit, a play set, a homemade movie screen, and even weights for working out. There is also a … [Read more...]
The 5 C’s that Great Father’s Teach Their Sons
"We never kicked it at all, never pitched or kicked at a ball, you never taught me how to fight, ride a bike, none of that....!" This a lyric I heard from a Jay-Z song as Beanie Seagle rapped about being a "fatherless son." While fathers usually do teach these things, there are some other lessons that great fathers out there teach. And hence, the reason we need their presence! … [Read more...]
Now is the Time to Change the Narrative about Black Fatherhood
Combing hair, changing diapers and picking out outfits are things that moms are usually tasked with doing for the children. The internet flew into a frenzy recently, when a photo of a Black man combing his toddler daughter’s hair while standing with his infant daughter strapped into a baby carrier across his chest, went viral. The photo was shared countless times and with it … [Read more...]
Collection of Essays Looks to Change Views On Black Fatherhood
Twenty writers came together to share their experiences and stories on fatherhood in an anthology titled, Bet on Black; African-American Woman Celebrate Fatherhood in the Age of Barack Obama to help break the image of absent black fathers. The independently published book, featuring authors such as Karen Good Marable and Yannick Rice Lamb, is set to release on Amazon on … [Read more...]
Love Lessons For My Daughter
I learned a lot about love from my father. He didn't lecture me. As a matter of fact, he didn't say much about the subject. Instead, he taught my sister and I love lessons through his actions. He adored my mother. Still does. He bends over backwards to keep a smile on her face. She does the same in return. But he always says he loves her more and that women should find a man … [Read more...]
Are We Failing Our Future Fathers?
Today's black fathers continue to be under the microscope. It's easy to look at the state of our nation’s youth and young adults and wonder how different the world would be if more fathers were there. This weekend while speaking at Hyde Park Academy in Chicago, President Obama spoke on fathers. "For a lot of young boys and young men in particular, they don’t see an example of … [Read more...]