An overwhelmed dad trying to learn how to be a good father.

No — I’m not a psychologist, therapist, or parenting expert. I’m a copywriter, a dad living in Canada, and the father of a little boy called Samuel. What I share here comes from lived experience — the kind most fathers never talk about. This space isn’t about clinical advice; it’s about connection. I believe kids’ lives aren’t shaped by perfect parents, but by present ones. And I believe that when we speak honestly, we teach our children something powerful: that real men feel, struggle, reflect, and grow. I’m not here to diagnose. I’m here to be a role model in progress.

I’m still figuring out how to be a good father. But here’s what I know so far: show up. You’re not there to help — you’re there to parent. A father plays his role fully, not as a backup, but as a constant. That kind of presence builds stronger bonds with your sons and daughters — and it lightens the load for your partner. I don’t know all the answers, but I know accountability is where it starts.

Because we don’t talk enough. We show up at the school recitals and the playgrounds, but inside, a lot of us feel like impostors. Fatherhood is changing — and that’s a good thing — but many of us weren’t taught how to navigate emotional openness, shared and gentle parenting, or mental overload. We were taught to provide, not to process. But if we want to teach our children differently — especially our sons — we have to unlearn a few things first. Being a good dad today means being emotionally available. It means being the kind of role model our kids’ lives will be built on.

Not the polished kind. You won’t find ten-step guides or toxic positivity. What you’ll find are reflections, hard-won insights, and stories that feel uncomfortably familiar. Stuff about dad anxiety. About not recognizing yourself in the mirror some mornings. About how children learn when you’re not even trying to teach. The kind of “advice” that comes from screwing up, owning it, and trying again — because our sons and daughters are watching. If you’re looking for ways to connect, grow, and spend time more meaningfully with your kids — without pretending to have it all together — this space is for you.