Our 827th Dad in the Limelight is Eric Rasmussen of ChildrenAndMediaMan. I want to thank Eric Rasmussen for being a part of this series. It has been great getting connected with him and now sharing Eric Rasmussen with all of you.
1) Tell me about yourself, (as well as how you are in the limelight for my readers knowledge)
My name is Eric Rasmussen, and I run the blog ChildrenAndMediaMan. I’m also the author of “Media Maze: Unconventional Wisdom for Guiding Children Through Media.” I am a professor at Texas Tech University where I study the effects of media on children, and what parents can do about it.
2) Tell me about your family
I live in Lubbock, Texas with my wife and four daughters. We love the outdoors, reading, and watching movies together. Being the only guy in a household of women has its challenges, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
3) What has been the largest challenge you have had in being a father?
While I love being a dad and consider it the most important thing I do (besides being a husband to their mom), being a dad is exhausting physically, mentally, emotionally—in all ways. I struggle with finding the time and energy to take care of myself in a way that will allow me to be as engaged as I want to be.
4) What advice would you give to other fathers?
As fathers, we have more influence on our children than we think. We are more powerful than we give ourselves credit for. I think we beat ourselves up too much for our faults, and don’t give ourselves enough credit for the little successes that happen in our homes.
5) How have you come to balance parenthood and outside life?
I’m not sure parenthood and outside life need to be two separate things. Everything I do is for my family, including the time I spend away from them at work, at the gym, or with my buddies. Pursuing my own interests can be a way to make me a better father, to have more patience, and to have more energy so that when we are together I can be more engaged.
6) What have you learned from the fathers that you have interacted with?
Kids love a dad who is firm, yet playful. The best dads I know have clear expectations for their kids, they tell dad jokes, they toss the ball with their kids, they discipline with love, and they say they’re sorry when they make mistakes.
7) What else would you share regarding your experiences as a father thus far?
One of the toughest parts of being a dad is media parenting. I’ve found that no matter how many rules I set about media, I can’t protect my kids from everything. I’m learning that empowering my kids is the best way to protect them. By empowering them to deal with media content and other influences, they’ll be able to protect themselves from negative influences. Communication is the key to empowering our kids to navigate the media maze for themselves.
8) What have been the most memorable experiences that you have had thus far as a parent?
One of the best parts of being a parent is seeing my kids do hard things. I once took two of our daughters on a hike to Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas. It was scary and hard, and tears were shed, but they did it. Another daughter is overcoming her fears of singing in front of people. Helping my kids do hard things is extremely rewarding.
If you have any questions for Eric Rasmussen, please leave a comment here and I will make sure that he gets them so that he may be able to respond!
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