Our 729th Dad in the Limelight is Blogger, Father and Beer Journalist, Greg Barbera. I want to thank Greg Barberat for being a part of this series. It has been great getting connected with him and now sharing Greg Barbera 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 Greg Barbera and I’m a dad of two teenage boys. You may have read about them at Dadcentric or on my own blog. Oh and I am a beer journalist.
2) Tell me about your family
I was raised Catholic. Spent 12 yrs in parochial school. I know how to tie a tie. Married a Jewish girl I met in college. Was a stay-at-home-dad from 2000-2008. I became a dadvocate. Was on the radio and in the paper. Be present in your childrens’ lives. Or just don’t have them. Got divorced. I’m not a statistic. I’m a guy who loves his boys. Daylight Savings is kinda pointless, no?
3) What has been the largest challenge you have had in being a father?
The biggest challenge I have had in being a father was being the one at home and not the breadwinner. People look at dads who CHOOSE to stay home as some sort of weirdo/reject. But as someone who grew up on the DIY/punk rock aesthetic there really was only two options – either me or my wife was going to raise them. I had no desire to pay upwards of $30,000 a year to have someone else raise my kids. That’s silly.
4) What advice would you give to other fathers?
Advice? Be yourself. And let your children see you being yourself.
5) How have you come to balance parenthood and outside life?
Parenthood is life. See question No. 4.
6) What have you learned from the fathers that you have interacted with?
Some fathers embrace fatherhood, others run from it. I truly love being a dad. I knew I was going to be a dad before I ever got married. I wanted kids like people want rescue dogs. I knew it was my calling. And I have a great relationship with my two sons to this day.
7) What else would you share regarding your experiences as a father thus far?
Just do it. I know, it’s a Nike slogan, but seriously just do shit with your kids. It means a lot to them. Even if it is some shitty Golden Corral buffet experience. They’ll remember the bad experiences and how you turned it around to a good one.
8.What have been the most memorable experiences that you have had thus far as a parent?
Memorable experiences? pretty much every day. From a trip to the doctor for an ingrown toenail, to a report and a soccer game – every day I get to participate in my boys’ life is a memorable day.
If you have any questions for Greg Barbera, 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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