Facing Fatherhood: Local dads share their journey and give advice
MARYLAND – Father’s Day is a time we take to appreciate all the hard work the men in our lives do for our families. However, many may not realize the stress and pressures men feel when raising children. We speak to local hard-working men, who share their perspective on fatherhood and have some advice for the younger dads out there.
Masking Emotions
62-year-old Bill Taylor is a father and grandfather and recalls how life was for him growing up as he masked his emotions. “You feel like when they’re younger, and they’re like in your household, you have a bit more control but as they graduate and they move on, you have less contact with them, you not talking to them all the time, you’re not seeing them all the time so you still worry, you’re still concerned that they’re making good choices, and you want them to be happy, you just want them to be happy.”
He says times have changed and being a father is more than just being a disciplinarian and that men can’t be afraid to be sensitive. “You know I’m from an older generation, where we kind of came up with that ‘just rub some dirt on it and move on’. But yeah, we do care, we do have true emotions. I tell my kids I love them as much as possible, any chance I get, and it’s sincere.”
Hard-Working
Speaking of an older generation, 76-year-old Alton White is a father, grandfather, and great grandfather. and with the pressures of society to provide, he’s still working hard at his age.
“It’s kind of hard if you don’t have a job, a good paying job. And if you don’t have the will-power or the ability to do what’s right, and make sure that they’re well provided for. I mean if you have to work two jobs, you have to work two jobs.”
Alton also speaks about making the right choices from a parent’s perspective, adding that society can aid in your success or suffering- you choose. “The person themselves got to have the right mind set on life. And they can’t let too much get them down, especially in this day and age and what’s going on with this country., you got to keep a positive attitude.”
Never Give Up
In the end, Alton says you have to take it one day at a time. “Try to so the right thing in life, no matter what you may be doing good or bad, make sure it’s the right thing for yourself and for your family.”
Bill says love is key. “Never stop loving, never stop trying to connect, never stop trying to call them, never stop and don’t get offended when they’re younger if they don’t call you back, or when they’re in their teen years, and they’re not communicating like they used too, stay true, stay connected, you’re the father, keep that connection going.”
There are groups on the shore that help men who may be struggling like Father’s Forward. For more information on the resources, they offer visit their website. WMDT wishes a Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there.
