Brilliant Dad Feature week 92 

This week our brilliant dad feature is Jeff. He is a father to three wonderful kids. His oldest daughter is 18, his little girl is ten and his son is seven. He is married to the woman of his dreams who, as he says has made his life complete. He works in construction in Edmonton, Alberta Canada and his wife is a stay at home mum. He says after losing  his dad at 11 years old, it’s one of the main reasons he started blogging. As his children get older he feels he should leave them something ‘dadish’ to have forever as he was limited to what he has left from his dad. He blogs at the awesome Drooling Daddy. Check it out, it’s well worth a read. Thank you to Jeff for taking part.

1. Have you always wanted to be a dad? 

Yes, I have always wanted to be a dad. It’s kind of funny, but loosing my dad at 11 made me want to be one. I knew I could never have the father/son moments with my dad so I couldn’t wait to have kids of my own and experience that as a father. Even as a teen my go to argument with my mum was always “when I have my kids I will never do this to them” which I might add I never followed through with hence the weekly phone calls saying sorry, you were right and having her laugh!

2. How did you feel when your children were born?

When my kids came it was the happiest and scariest days of my life. I was finally a dad which I had been dreaming about for ever but once here the fear of what the hell do I do now came. Also I’m a big guy who doesn’t know his own strength yet and here is this little tiny person that I might break, oh how do I hold them. But it all passed and seeing them for the first time with my wife made me cry. It also made me wish my dad was still around to meet them. Each time was a new set of emotions and fears but there they were. Now bring on the toys!

3. What have been your most rewarding experiences so far as a Dad?

This is hard to narrow down as each year more things get added to the list. From seeing the bond my kids have with each other to each new thing they learn to school achievements. If I had to pick one for each one of my kids it would be for my oldest daughter seeing her walk down stage getting her high school diploma followed by her university acceptance letter. My little girl would be how crafty she is. At 10 years old she already sews and knits. Quite amazing to see the skill she has. For my son I would have to say how he handles himself makes me so proud. He always sees the best in people and doesn’t give up until he achieves his goal.

4. What are some of funniest moments to have happened to you as a dad?

Oh man this could be a novel. Every day my house is filled with laughter from joking around with my kids and the stuff they do. Watching my oldest daughter fall flat on her face when she went through growth spurts. My little girl who at the perfect time give me a goofy face or dance and having my son answer my questions with farts jut to make me laugh. Speaking of farts my son always tries to out fart dad and one time he pushed, ran to the can and when he came out he said “dad I almost pooped my self on that one hahaha” I spit my drink out on that one. Hearing my kids drop F-bombs at proper times makes me laugh as well even though I have to give them crap.

5. Have there been any situations with your children that you have found difficult to cope with?

For me the one that stands out the most is what I am going through with my oldest. For the past 3 years she has been dealing with depression and anxiety. To see your child suffer with their own mind is quite painful as a dad. You can’t make it better or take the pain away. When she has her meltdowns you see the pain as you get the whole force of her anger directed at you. Things have gotten better but still a long road ahead.

6. What are your dreams and hopes for your children?

I hope they all find what makes them happy. In life or work doing stuff you love makes life so much better. I hope they all find love and get to feel the joys of having kids of their own.