Our 835th Dad in the Limelight is Johnathon Briggs. I want to thank Johnathon Briggs for being a part of this series. It has been great getting connected with him and now sharing Johnathon Briggs with all of you.
1) Tell me about yourself, (as well as how you are in the limelight for my readers knowledge)
Hey there, I’m Johnathon Briggs. By day, I’m a communications strategist who works at a public relations agency that specializes in healthcare, education, conservation, and crisis communications. In my spare time, I blog at FatherhoodAtForty.net about my family, fatherhood, fashion, and other topics that cross my mind. That’s why the blog tagline is “Dispatches from the Parent Hood.” Few may know this, but twice as many dads of newborns are now in the 40-plus age group, compared to the 1970s. I became a first-time dad on the eve of my 40th birthday, hence the title of my blog.
2) Tell me about your family
I am married to my lovely wife Rhonda who, believe it or not, I was matched with through eHarmony. More proof that online dating can actually work! We met in 2006, got married in 2009, and are proud parents of a three-year-old girl who keeps us on our toes.
3) What has been the largest challenge you have had in being a father?
The biggest challenge I’ve had to date is learning how to navigate the healthcare system as the father of a child with special needs. At 18 months of age, my wife and I noticed that our daughter’s language development was significantly delayed. We later learned the delay was due to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which is estimated to affect 1 in 68 children in the United States – 1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls. We’re fortunate to live in a community where there is a high degree of awareness about ASD and a network of resources, but connecting to those resources has been an exercise in patience due to the health insurance approval process. As I wrote on my blog, nothing prepares you for the frustration and anger you feel as a parent when you have a sense of urgency about your child’s health, but the healthcare system seemingly doesn’t.
4) What advice would you give to other fathers?
I try not to give advice because every dad’s journey is different. But I would offer this to my fellow fathers: do the best you can as a parent and learn to be okay with that. As long as you’re doing your best – being present in your child’s life, encouraging their dreams, creating a home filled with love – you can’t go wrong.
5) How have you come to balance parenthood and outside life?
I don’t believe it’s a balance; it’s more like a juggle. And it’s hard. When you and your spouse both work full time, your schedules are severely compressed. I’m able to juggle parenthood and outside life thanks to the support of my wife, my tag team partner whom I have regular date nights with; two excellent babysitters; and a job that allows me to have a flexible schedule when I need it. Becoming a dad has reminded me to go with the flow and release the expectation that everything needs to get done. The reality is that everything doesn’t need to get done – it simply can’t.
6) What have you learned from the fathers who you have interacted with?
Most of the dads I know make a point to carve out a little time for themselves. It’s easier said than done, but setting time aside for self-care is so important. I always feel like a better dad when I can hit the gym or go for a run. It helps relieve stress and makes me feel stronger.
7) What else would you share regarding your experiences as a father thus far?
I’m hyper aware of the daily impression I’m making on my daughter as the first man in her life that loves her unconditionally. I see how she models and responds to what I say and what I do. It’s in those moments that I respect the responsibility we have as parents to influence how our children see themselves. So far, my daughter is strong willed and confident and I love seeing those traits in her.
8) What have been the most memorable experiences that you have had thus far as a parent?
We were in Detroit for a family reunion last year and preparing to drive to Chicago when, after strapping her in her car seat, I turned around to see my daughter had decided to balance her sippy cup on her head…because she saw daddy do it! Reminder: Kids watch EVERYTHING you do. It remains one of my favorite moments because she caught me completely by surprise.
If you have any questions for Johnathon Briggs, 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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The post Dads in the Limelight – Johnathon Briggs of Fatherhood At Forty appeared first on Dad of Divas.