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Scott Beller, Editor and Contributing Writer
Since February 2020, the DADDYING blog has provided weekly commentary, personal narratives, reviews, research, poetry, and other creative expressions from a diverse group of colleagues, guest writers, and experts to promote the benefits of lifelong Dad involvement to kids, families, and communities.
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Go West, Young Man
Guest writer Josh Givens, a single Dad, hopes to protect and maintain closeness while his son grows and learns to explore the world.
Allan Shedlin
Jul 8, 2025
How to Protect Our Tweens and Teens from False Messages
Psychologist Jacqueline Toner equips parents/grandparents to help children identify and debunk misinformation and disinformation.
Allan Shedlin
Mar 5, 2025
Dear Dads, You're Neither Damned nor Doomed
Allan Shedlin explains that while growing up with family trauma makes becoming a good dad more challenging, it isn't a certainty.
Allan Shedlin
Oct 30, 2024
My Grandson Made Me Do It: Refreshing Our Focus on Family-School Partnerships
Allan laments the focus on standardized testing and urges a return to basics of learning facilitated by stronger family-school partnerships.
Allan Shedlin
Aug 21, 2024
How the Grinch stole my heart
Washington Post book critic and dad to a special needs child Ron Charles shares his affinity for Dr. Seuss' iconic holiday classic story.
Allan Shedlin
Dec 20, 2023
The Queen of Goodbye
Writer Jane Ehrenfeld shares how she and her daughter with special needs are challenged to cope with constant back-to-school changes.
Allan Shedlin
Sep 13, 2023
Embrace the Wobble
Dr. Anthony Fleg writes about his dilemma of being a coach, teacher and dad as he helps his daughter learn to ride without training wheels.
Allan Shedlin
Sep 6, 2023
It's That CAMPAIGNful Time of Year – Do You Know Where Your Kids Are Emotionally?
DCG Founder Allan Shedlin prepares parents to talk with kids about the 2022 mid-term elections.
Allan Shedlin
Oct 12, 2022
Time and Babies Fly While Daddy Hopes To Stay Connected
Daddying blog editor Scott Beller celebrates his oldest daughter's birthday by applauding her achievements and letting her fly solo.
Allan Shedlin
Sep 22, 2022
The Incident: A Wreck At the Intersection of Toxic Masculinity and Race
DCG DADvisor Neil Tift shares an old story that's still relevant in today's conversation about race, masculinity, and how we raise our sons.
Allan Shedlin
Apr 13, 2022
Seasons of Good Cheer: Be the Supportive Fan Your Kids Need
Daddying Editor Scott Beller remembers his late mother Mary and misses her unconditional support on her birthday.
Allan Shedlin
Dec 10, 2021
Spoiler: “Learning Loss” Is A COVIDious Myth
DCG Founder Allan Shedlin explains how "learning loss" is a COVIDious myth & teachers/parents should focus on kids' pandemic learning gains.
Allan Shedlin
Nov 3, 2021
Annie's Poem: A Child Copes With Pandemic Anxiety
9-year-old Annie has turned to poetry during the COVID pandemic to help express and cope with the difficult things she's been feeling.
Allan Shedlin
Oct 27, 2021
Zoom to Classroom: How to Prepare Your Child For Returning to School In the New Normal
Author and youth rights advocate Anna Gilchrist provides parents with tips on how to help children adjust to returning to school in person.
Allan Shedlin
Aug 25, 2021
How To Wrangle Those End-of-Summer Butterflies In COVIDious Times
DCG's Allan Shedlin helps parents talk to kids about why it's normal to feel anxious at start of a school year, especially during a pandemic
Allan Shedlin
Aug 10, 2021
How My Students Came to Know Me As "Daddy of the School"
DCG founder and former elementary school principal Allan Shedlin explains how a former student gave him the title "daddy of the school."
Allan Shedlin
Jul 21, 2021
First and Foremost It’s About the Children
DADvocacy can rightly be viewed as encouraging enhanced partnerships between fathers and mothers.
Allan Shedlin
Mar 4, 2021
Will You Pleeeeease Be My Daddy?
As often happens when we do not get what we need at home, I looked elsewhere.
Allan Shedlin
Feb 25, 2021
It's No Surprise: Crying Can Be A Dad Strength
the birth of one’s first child often provides the chink that breaks through the masculine armor that has formed throughout a boy's life...
Allan Shedlin
Feb 11, 2021
Give and Receive the Gift Of Reading Together This Holiday Season
I remember my mom reading to me almost every day as a kid. I remember hearing her voice, warm, energetic, and song-like...
Allan Shedlin
Dec 10, 2020
Daddying and the Toys That Bind
Daddying editor Scott Beller returned from Toy Fair 2026 inspired and ready to roll out expanded blog and Daddying Film Festival content to include a focus on the importance of play.
Allan Shedlin
2 days ago
A Special Dad's Quest to Balance the Needs of the Many
Guest writer Clint Harrison, a Dad of Two, adoptive Dad of six, and foster Dad to many, explains some challenges involved in caring for his uniquely blended family.
Allan Shedlin
Feb 26
What Fatherhood Taught Me About Leadership, Accountability, and Legacy
Guest writer Joe Henderson, men's coach and founder of Lead Don't Blame, discusses the importance of presence and reveals how true leadership in the adult world begins at home in how you respond to everyday interactions with your kids and family.
Allan Shedlin
Feb 18
Halftime Shows, Dads Playing with Kids, and OTHER Sources of Joy
Daddying Editor Scott Beller's pursuit of joy in 2026 takes him from the Super Bowl to Ticketmaster to Toy Fair in New York City in search of meaning, music, and the importance of being a more playful, involved Dad.
Allan Shedlin
Feb 13
How I Made a Short Film as a Single, Full-Time Dad When Time, Money, and Energy Are Gone
Award-winning filmmaker Andrew Coughlin explains how he is inspired to keep creating despite his scarcity of time and resources as a single Dad. His short film, "The Small Hours," won the 2026 Daddying Film Festival & Forum's Roy R. Neuberger Prize for Best Dad-Created Film.
Allan Shedlin
Feb 4
Looking for a Little Humanity? You'll Find It at the Daddying Film Forum
Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) Founder Allan Shedlin reflects on the meaning of so many heartwarming festival submissions from students, Dads, and indie filmmakers worldwide as the 2026 Daddying Film Forum kicks off at American University.
Allan Shedlin
Jan 28
A Dad Reflects on Another Harsh Dichotomy of Our Struggling Times
New Mexico-based Dad, teacher, and writer Alex Paramo shares poetry about an America that promises a brighter future through improved financial and educational opportunities while many, including teachers, still find it hard to make ends meet.
Allan Shedlin
Jan 21
New Year, New Daddying Traditions
Daddying blog editor Scott Beller welcomed back a few old holiday traditions in 2025 and started new traditions he hopes return in 2026 and for many years to come.
Allan Shedlin
Jan 14
The 5th Annual Daddying Film Fest Offers 71 Reasons to Celebrate Importance of Involved Dads in 2026
Daddying blog editor Scott Beller officially opens the 5th annual virtual Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) by sharing a preview of the festival's official selections, 2026 Atticus Award finalists, and how to get free passes to the online festival.
Allan Shedlin
Jan 9
Behind-the-Scenes with Dad, Filmmaker, and Megaforce Fan Bob Lindenmayer
Filmmaker Bob Lindenmayer shares the backstory and inspiration for creating the documentary film and Daddying Film Festival & Forum 2026 official selection "Making MegaForce," which celebrates the 80s sci-fi cult film, starring actor Barry Bostwick.
Allan Shedlin
Dec 31, 2025
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