In My Daddy Era: Confessions from a First-Time Father

Have a story or advice? Send me a note here! The story goes that when I was born, my dad was so enamored with me that he forgot everything else for a second, including my mom, who had just given birth. (I get it, I was adorable.) Once he realized his mistake, he brought her flowers to make up for it. That story always stuck with me because it’s a reminder that even when the baby is the center of t...

Have a story or advice? Send me a note here! It’s my favorite part of the day. I get to daycare to pick up my daughter, and instead of smiles and open arms, she clings to her teacher and cries when I take her from her... ouch I’m not going to lie, that first time it happened, it broke my heart. I’ve been with her every day of her life, and I’m thinking, "How you going to do daddy like that?&q...

Have a story or advice? Send me a note here! My baby girl is officially a toddler. We went all out for the first birthday, Elmo tutus, Cookie Monster shirts, and enough balloons to fill a Sesame Street set. She won’t remember it, but I’ll never forget it. In this episode, I’m reflecting on the milestone of year one. I’m sharing the "extra" details of our party planning, the 'no baby...

Have a story or advice? Send me a note here! They say being a father is about being the rock of the family, but even rocks can get taken down by daycare germs. I thought I’d be spending my birthday week at a nice dinner; instead, I found myself in the hospital watching an IV drip.   In this episode, I’m confessing the reality of the "immune system boot camp" and how I’m learning to navig...

Have a story or advice? Send me a note here! I used to think traveling for work was exciting. Then I sat on a plane heading to Georgia and realized that every foot of altitude was another foot further away from my daughter. It was the first time I’d ever broken our "bedtime streak," and the distance felt heavier than the suitcase I was carrying. In this episode, I’m confessing how hard i...

Have a story or advice? Send me a note here! They say singing to your child is the easiest way to get them to sleep. They don't tell you that in the heat of a 2:00 AM meltdown, the only song your brain will remember is "Jingle Bells" in the middle of spring. In this episode, I’m confessing my lack of vocal talent and how I became a full-time car performer for my daughter. From &quot...

Have a story or advice? Send me a note here! Before we even knew the gender, my sister came to me in a dream with that familiar, sly smile and said three words: "Take care of her." From that moment, I knew I was a Girl Dad. But being a father to a daughter carries a weight I didn't fully grasp until I started thinking about the "First Love" effect. In this episode, I’m loo...

Have a story or advice? Send me a note here! When my daughter was a newborn, she had this specific stretch arms up, elbows bent, and the cutest little "duck lips" you’ve ever seen. I watched her do it every morning until, one day, she just stopped. It was the first time I realized that in fatherhood, every beautiful habit has an expiration date. In this episode, I’m grappling with the &q...

Have a story or advice? Send me a note here! Traditions are often just things we do because "that’s how it’s always been." But for Rick, a new tradition was born out of a promise made in a hospital room. In this episode, Rick explores the bittersweet reality of his daughter growing up without her aunt, and how he is using "February Christmas Cookies" to bridge the gap between t...

Have a story or advice? Send me a note here! Before the baby arrives, every dad goes through "The Prep." For Rick, it wasn't just about moving a desk or mounting a shelf, it was about making the transition from "Me" to "Her" physically. In this episode, Rick discusses the weight of a crib (literally and metaphorically), the "first daddy move" of giving...

Have a story or advice? Send me a note here! Episode Summary:   In the quiet chaos of a hospital room, a simple text message triggers a massive identity shift. Rick shares the raw, unedited realization of moving from "son" to "father" in a matter of hours. From the terror of the "near-slip" to the humility of learning five different swaddles from five different nurses...