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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.
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Preserving Your Daddying Heart
Daddying Film Festival founder Allan Shedlin writes that men are more than capable of exceeding cultural expectations for Dads when they embrace delivery-room vows and nurture their daddying hearts.
Allan Shedlin
Mar 25
Do Our Kids Really Want or Need a d-AI-ddy?
Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) founder Allan Shedlin considers the potential negative and positive impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) on parenting and whether a "dAIddy" might ever measure up to the very real wants and needs of our kids/grandkids.
Allan Shedlin
Dec 8, 2025
What the Heck is Neotenic Daddying?
In honor of Mickey Mouse's birthday, Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) Founder Allan Shedlin defines "neotenic daddying" and explains how Dads can best apply the idea to their everyday parenting.
Allan Shedlin
Nov 18, 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
This Blog Exists Because Men Are Eager to Talk About Daddying
D3F founder Allan Shedlin explains the motivation behind his daddying work serving dads who want to be more involved with their children.
Allan Shedlin
Jul 9, 2024
4 Standouts From 3 Decades of Daddying Dialogue
Allan Shedlin offers highlights from 3 decades talking to fathers and kids about qualities they value most in being or having a dad.
Allan Shedlin
Jun 5, 2024
There is No Such Thing as a Perfect Dad
Allan Shedlin asks dads & moms to consider children consumers of parenting and strive to meet their needs rather than be "perfect parents."
Allan Shedlin
Feb 21, 2024
Louise's Suitcase and How Film Can Help Make Our Daddying Mission: Possible
DCG founder Allan Shedlin explains his inspiration for creating the Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F).
Allan Shedlin
Jul 12, 2023
How Priscilla Gilman Found Her Daddy and Herself
DCG founder Allan Shedlin shares his first Daddying blog book review for Priscilla Gilman's memoir, The Critic's Daughter.
Allan Shedlin
Mar 29, 2023
How the Atticus Award For Best Dad-Created Film Earned Roy R. Neuberger's Name
Daddying Film Festival & Forum founder Allan Shedlin explains the origin and significance of the festival's Roy R. Neuberger award.
Allan Shedlin
Mar 23, 2023
How Daddying Manages to Endure While Our World Remains In Flux
D3F Founder Allan Shedlin shares truths learned from 100s of interviews with men of different circumstances but with similar stories to tell
Allan Shedlin
Mar 16, 2023
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
7 hours ago
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
I Left San Francisco for Colorado Springs. It Changed How I See Democracy
Youth Documentary Academy founder Tom Shepard writes about how he's been inspired by the diverse stories of his filmmaking students and other young people and what our country's leaders could and should learn from them.
Allan Shedlin
Jul 30
Savoring the Privilege of Lifelong Daddying
Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) founder Allan Shedlin shares the joy of being a lifelong Dad, Granddad, and soon, a Great Granddad.
Allan Shedlin
Jul 30
With Our World in Metamorphosis, Those End-Of-Summer Butterflies Remain the Same
Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) founder Allan Shedlin welcomes back-to-school season and those end-of-summer butterflies with an open mind and open arms.
Allan Shedlin
Jul 23
What Happened to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness?
Daddying editor Scott Beller laments the continued human rights abuses by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including murders this past week of Johan Sebastian Duran Guerrero and Lorenzo Salgado Araujo.
Allan Shedlin
Jul 16
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