parenting

1 Comment Posted on parenting, Storytelling, Uncategorized

To My Readers, Why I Chose The Name “Family Friendly Daddy Blog”

First off, I want to thank you personally for being one of the readers I am referencing in the title. You don’t have to be spending your time reading what I sayright now; but you are, and I truly appreciate that. You actually linked the link and found yourself here, off the mainstream path.

Family Friendly Daddy Blog

I will admit I was at least curious as to see if I’d lose any followers on Facebook and Twitter after I left Parents.com 2 weeks ago.

Gratefully, I’ve am still gaining followers since the departure, so I’ll take it that people can still appreciate my writing even without the glory of the Parents magazine name in my header. That means a lot to me.

Whereas I’ve been writing directly to my son Jack over the past couple of years, don’t be surprised if you start seeing more “To My Readers” segments; in which I show you what’s going on backstage and behind the scenes here.

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Today I thought it would be a good idea to explain why I chose the name “Family Friendly Daddy Blog” now that I’ve returned back to my original site; as opposed to “The Dadabase.”

I admit I only spent about 47 seconds coming up with the name “Family Friendly Daddy Blog.” It was the first thing to came to mind when trying to figure out how to make myself easily “Google-able” as a daddy blogger and as one who keeps things PG rated.

The phrase “family friendly” also indicates that my blog is not simply a daddy blog, but more of a blog for parents and families.

So “Family Friendly Daddy Blog” is my way of saying when you come to my site, you should expect something family oriented, but specifically written from a male, fatherly perspective.

Another thing you can expect is for my material to be positive.

But also real at the same time… but not too real…

I say that because Facebook can be a bipolar place. I want “Family Friendly Daddy Blog” to be a welcoming exit when you see me pop up while scrolling through your Facebook home page.

Well, that’s it. That’s what “Family Friendly Daddy Blog” is all about and that’s why I felt the new name was a good way to sum it all up.

Again, thanks for being a part of it.

Sincerely,

Nick Shell

Leave a comment Posted on parenting, Storytelling

The Surprise Twist In The Robinsons “Pals” Ad

May 4, 2013 at 12:04 am , by 

2 years, 5 months.

Dear Jack,

I hope you just watched that 60 second ad before reading this.

(Here’s a chance to, if you haven’t. Go ahead, please. I’ll wait.)

As you just watched, the boy in the green shirt puts his arm around the boy in the striped shirt while he was holding the ball, dusts him off when they fall down, compliments him on his throw, lifts him up to the bar he can’t reach, pretends like he’s about to push him into the water, patiently looks over his shoulder as he plays his video game, recognizes the boy’s crush and encourages him to talk to her and insists she likes him too, takes the “fatal hit” while using sticks to play sword fight, serves him juice, stays awake after he falls asleep watching T.V, takes his shoes off for him, carries him upstairs and lays a blanket over him.

They’re clearly friends, right?

The ad closes with the boy in the striped shirt saying, “Good night, Dad.” Then the dad tells his son good night too.

Brilliant.

In those 60 seconds, through play, encouragement, and affection, the dad serves the son.

Just a few weeks ago I wrote, “To Love And To Lead Is To Serve: No Thank You’s Required.” Though it’s a simple concept, I felt it was important enough to write to you about:

“It probably comes down to this anyway: The most important things I do in life, and that I am best at doing, are the things for which I’m not regularly thanked. Serving is loving and leading. I get that now… no thank you’s required.”

In a history of commercials making the dad out to be an idiot, finally, somebody really (!) gets it right.

Only a week ago I wrote “How To Market To An ‘Unmarketable’ Generation Y Dad.” I explained what it would take for an ad to reach me, because I’m so good at ignoring ads:

“So, in review, a stubborn, penny pinching, Dave Ramsey following, Generation Y dad like me will magically buy a product for his son if he believes that… the product will reinforce the traditional ideas and principles that remind him of his own 1987 version of childhood and/or… the company makes it clear that dads are helpful and important, not idiots.”

A+, Robinsons “Pals.” You are the official dad ad to beat.

Here’s a secret, Son. A dad can never hear enough, from anyone, that he is a good dad.

To outsiders it may appear to be a sensitive male ego thing, but as a dad, I can confirm that routine, positive affirmation is one of the most effective ways to reach and connect with a dad.

So now, I need to go wipe my nose. I could blame it on the Maple trees blooming here in Nashville, triggering my allergies.

Instead, I’ll just admit it. After watching this ad a few times, I’m pretty tore up, in a good way.

I just love you so much.

 

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on parenting, Storytelling

So I’m Pretty Much Obsessed With The I-Screamer…

May 3, 2013 at 10:37 pm , by 

2 years, 5 months.

Dear Jack,

For the past two weeks on the way home from school, the two of us have been swinging by Walmart each day. Why?

Not because you, a nearly 2 and a half year-old boy, are zeroed in on finding a certain elusive toy, but because your 32 year-old dad is.

The exact toy I am referring to is none other than a $8.97 monster truck, exclusive to Walmart: The I-Screamer, which is an ice cream monster truck.

This basic $8.97 version is so elusive that I couldn’t even find a picture or video of him on the Internet. Oy vey!

As you know, Mater wrestles and defeats the I-Screamer in Mater’s Tall Tales.

I don’t want the big, fancy, action-packed version that costs 20 bucks or more. I just want the cheap one that is comparable in size to your favorite black one, that you carry my old Micro Machines in.

Working in the logistics side of the transportation industry, I know that most dry goods are moved out of the warehouses by the end of the month, to prepare for the new month.

So that means… the I-Screamer is waiting there in the back of the store right now; it’s just a matter of the new shipment being stocked on the shelves.

Therefore, you and I show up every single day, hoping that today is the day. In fact, today we wentbefore and after I took you to school. No luck.

Not to mention, I’ve got your Nana, back in Alabama, as well as your friend Sophie’s mom, looking for the I-Screamer for us.

I’m trying to figure out why I’m so obsessed with getting myself, I mean, you, a monster ice cream truck that sort of resembles a crazy clown.

All I can think of is this: Back in high school, one of my favorite bands was The Smashing Pumpkins. The video for their song, “Today,” features the band driving around in an ice cream truck.

I even considered buying an old ice cream truck from one of my uncles, as my first car when I was 16. It didn’t end up actually happening, but I suppose I’ve never really let go of my love for ice cream trucks, and that was half my life ago.

Yeah, I’ve got issues.

 

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on Nostalgia, parenting

Trying On Daddy’s Shoes (And Mommy’s Too!)

May 1, 2013 at 10:29 pm , by 

2 years, 5 months.

Dear Jack,

I suppose it’s just universal that, as a little boy, you naturally like to try on your daddy’s shoes. I mean, it wasn’t that difficult for me to dig up a picture of myself in 1983, as a 2 year-old, wearing my dad’s boots. (Pictured above.)

You know it’s funny when you’re doing it, yet I can see you really like to imagine what it would be like to be my size.

Last week you turned to me randomly and said, “Daddy, you’re big? You’re big.”

I’m 5′ 9″, but hey, I’ll take the compliment.

This morning as we were all getting ready in Mommy and Daddy’s bedroom, you snuck into the closet.

I wasn’t really paying attention; not to mention, I was barely awake, but then I heard you laughing… like you knew you were being a rascal.

Turns out, I was right.

You proudly walked out to Mommy and me in your Sacramento State football player t-shirt, a diaper, and a pair of mommy’s heels.

Oh, and to top it off, you were holding your monster truck.

You were quite the walking contradiction, literally.

There are plenty of times when you are hilarious and don’t know why. Today was not one of those times.

So you are now looking at the new wallpaper on my cell phone. Well done, Son.

 

Love,

Daddy

 

 

Leave a comment Posted on parenting, vegan

Why I Don’t Want Everyone To Go Vegan Like Me

April 30, 2013 at 9:13 pm , by 

2 years, 5 months.

Dear Jack,

You were born in an interesting age, to interesting parents, who happened to be part of the rapidly growing minority of Americans who choose to live a lifestyle in which animal products are shunned for the sake of strict veganism (like me) or strict vegetarianism (like Mommy.)

As for you, you’re the kid caught in the middle of it, not realizing that we are making an important decision for you; at least for now. (What an appropriate shirt for you to be wearing today: Pizza vs. Broccoli.)

It used to be that vegans and vegetarians were perceived as predictable stereotypes; hippies who didn’t bathe. Not to mention, they looked down on anyone who didn’t share the same lifestyle and beliefs as they did.

I think of those animal rights ads that use shock value to get the attention of carnivores, often using images of nearly nude women or the slaughter of animals.

That’s not me or what I stand for.

The truth is, I don’t want everyone to go vegan, like me. Just as important, I don’t think everyoneshould be vegan. It’s not for everybody.

I don’t believe in forcing or pressuring my beliefs upon anyone for any reason. If someone is influenced by a conversation of mine, then so be it- that happens everyday to everybody.

Part of the process of becoming an individual is by (ironically?) collecting the ideas of other people you respect. That process, which included several pivotal documentaries on Netflix, led me to my extreme (yet not-that-weird-anymore) lifestyle.

Really, though, the main reason I don’t want everyone to become a vegan is because it seems like that would drive up the demand for organic foods, causing a shortage in supply, causing a hike in the prices of our groceries.

I’m not convinced there’s enough organic kale and chia seeds for even half of America to live this way.

So I best stop talking about how happy I am to have found this lifestyle and the positive health benefits (as well as, peace of mind) it brings our family.

It’s funny to think how 5 years ago, no one could have paid me enough money to go vegan for the rest of my life. Now, I’m trying to think how much money would be enough for me to go back to my former lifestyle, permanently.

I best stop trying to make our family seem relatively normal and decent.

However, to not share helpful and relevant information to curious people; well, that just seems selfish.

Hmm… the classic vegan dilemma.

I’m stressing out a little bit now. I need some vegan chocolate cookies…

 

Love,

Daddy