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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 for kids, families, and communities.
DADDYING BLOG POLICY ON AI: The Daddying blog does not use nor will it consider/accept guest post proposals or completed/final submissions that utilize AI (artificial intelligence) generative technologies, images, video, audio, or dialogue in any way in the development/creation, writing, or editing of our posts, content, or other projects (e.g., Daddying Film Festival & Forum). Without in any way limiting the author’s [and publisher’s] exclusive rights under copyright, any use of any of our works to “train” generative AI technologies to generate text is expressly prohibited. Any guest post/proposal created in whole or in part using generative AI will be rejected.
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Distant Water Cannot Quench A Thirst
Nicholas Banura Aine writes about his struggles with long-distance parenting, which created deep emotional gaps with his children, one with autism, who needed his presence.
Allan Shedlin
Sep 2
Glad You're Here: A Love Note to My Youngest Daughter on Her 17th Birthday
Daddying blog editor Scott Beller writes a special note to his youngest daughter for her birthday, which coincides with back-to-school and the beginning of her high school senior year.
Allan Shedlin
Aug 28
Many Aspects of Daddying Offer Positive Outcomes for Involved Fathers and their Kids
Senior Research Scholar for Child Trends, Dr. Mindy Scott, presents data evidence of the many positive outcomes related to Dads remaining involved with their children.
Allan Shedlin
Jun 25
Processing My Son's Graduation from High School...in Poetic Verse
Poet, author, and Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) Dadvisor Hakim Bellamy commemorates his son's high school graduation in the best way he knows how: in poetic Dad verse.
Allan Shedlin
Jun 3
What is the Dad Difference?
With her new book The Dad Difference publishing this month, educator and father engagement specialist Dr. Deborah Higdon joins the Daddying blog to discuss the proven benefits of having dads more involved in school classrooms with their children.
Allan Shedlin
May 6
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
Heroes Fight Book Bans for Their Kids' Freedom to Read and Think for Themselves
Daddying blog editor Scott Beller provides a Banned Books Week reminder that the freedom to read fight continues and reading with our kids helps open their minds and ours.
Allan Shedlin
Oct 8, 2025
While His Kids Drive Down Diverging Roads, a Dad's Only Choice is to Accompany Both
Daddying blog Editor Scott Beller faces back-to-school season with his daughters entering their college freshman and high school junior years, and he may be the one who needs "new student" orientation the most.
Allan Shedlin
Aug 29, 2025
Time and Babies Fly Part III: A Daddying Poem
For back-to-school, Daddying blog editor Scott Beller continues chronicling the journey towards his oldest daughter's departure for her freshman year of college with a poem.
Allan Shedlin
Aug 1, 2025
At Work or Home, Daddying is Always on Our Mind
Native Health Initiative (NHI) founder Dr. Anthony Fleg asked his kids to help write and record the sequel to his book "Writing To Heal" and then celebrated by co-hosting the launch party together with them.
Allan Shedlin
Jul 20, 2025
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
We Don’t Have Any Other Dads Coming In: From One Volunteer to a National Movement
NAFFS founder Keith Schumacher writes about the need to rewire the way schools think about and engage Dads and other male caregivers.
Allan Shedlin
Jul 1, 2025
Pulling Your Finger From an Emotional Dike
Daddying Film Fest founder Allan Shedlin's experience conducting daddying interviews with 205 men ages 16 to 104 years old, from 20 countries and a broad spectrum of backgrounds and socio-economic status, counters the usual stereotype that men don't want or are unable to talk about their feelings and emotions.
Allan Shedlin
Jun 18, 2025
Daddying Gets Its Due This Fathers' Day with PBS Series "Grown Up Dad"
For Fathers' Day, PBS documentary series creator Joe Gidjunis champions involved Dads while urging meaningful public policy and societal changes to support greater balance in parenting roles.
Allan Shedlin
Jun 11, 2025
Time and Babies Fly II: She's On Her Way
Daddying blog editor Scott Beller celebrates his oldest daughter as she graduates high school and looks forward to college life.
Allan Shedlin
Jun 7, 2025
When Firsts are Over and Finals Begin, Daddying Finds New Life
Daddying blog editor Scott Beller prepares for his first daughter to graduate high school and takes another step towards letting go.
Allan Shedlin
May 15, 2025
There's A Good Reason My Daughter Loves Something She’s Never Had
Guest writer and girl dad Tyler Pawlak takes time for daddying by sharing a love of coffee brewing with his young daughter.
Allan Shedlin
Mar 19, 2025
How A Super Bowl Ad Reflects the Evolving Role of Fathers
Guest writer Jessica Huerta, MA, highlights the potential impact of a Super Bowl ad showing caregiving as a core aspect of masculinity.
Allan Shedlin
Feb 12, 2025
I'm Just A Dad on a Mission to Pursue Joy and Resist the Chaos
After a rough start to 2025, this dad embraces little daily joys and his daddying purpose to shield him and his family from global chaos.
Allan Shedlin
Jan 31, 2025
Like Our Daddying, We're in Control of the Lights We Display in the New Year
Our editor takes stock in the things he can control in the New Year: his lights, his camera, and his daddying!
Allan Shedlin
Jan 10, 2025
Granddad's Favorite Way to Stay Active is On the Road with Family
On the road with family, Daddying Film Festival & Forum Associate Director Rob Richardson is reminded that being a traveling grandparent is a real "gas."
Allan Shedlin
Oct 14
One Song, One Quote, and the Seven at Cornell
As Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) founder Allan Shedlin follows coverage of the "Cornell Seven" sexual violence case, he's reminded of a lesson he learned long ago from the Broadway musical "South Pacific," that relates to how parents and other influential adults should be more mindful of what they're "carefully teaching" children.
Allan Shedlin
Oct 7
How Authentic Storytelling Can Help You Become the Dad You Want to Be
Adam Ukman, director of The Dads Initiative writes about reaching and supporting Dads through the power of storytelling.
Allan Shedlin
Sep 30
A New Daddying Pinnacle Worth Celebrating
Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) founder Allan Shedlin and his granddaughter Casey, a licensed clinical social worker, reflect on their discussions with Dads at the Special Fathers Network retreat in Nashville, after screening Zach Hellmuth's short film, "In Search of the Arctic Fox."
Allan Shedlin
Sep 23
She Impresses Dad Most with the Way She Carries Herself
Daddying blog Editor Scott Beller celebrates his oldest daughter from afar on her 19th birthday.
Allan Shedlin
Sep 18
The Day My Soul Crashed: A Father's Journey from Shattered to Serving
Alfred Niwagaba tells his story of being inspired by and caring for his son with special needs in Uganda.
Allan Shedlin
Sep 9
Distant Water Cannot Quench A Thirst
Nicholas Banura Aine writes about his struggles with long-distance parenting, which created deep emotional gaps with his children, one with autism, who needed his presence.
Allan Shedlin
Sep 2
Glad You're Here: A Love Note to My Youngest Daughter on Her 17th Birthday
Daddying blog editor Scott Beller writes a special note to his youngest daughter for her birthday, which coincides with back-to-school and the beginning of her high school senior year.
Allan Shedlin
Aug 28
Modern Childhood: Is The Next Generation of Kids Really The Loneliest One?
Guest writer Tessa Dodson highlights the complexity of modern childhood and offers parents practical guidance for supporting kids in building social connections through open communication, managed screentime, and unstructured play.
Allan Shedlin
Aug 19
The Dads and Sons of Summer
Poet and literary activist E. Ethelbert Miller debuts an original poem about baseball, Dads, and sons in this week's Daddying blog.
Allan Shedlin
Aug 12
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