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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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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
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
5 days ago
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
5 days ago
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
A Dad Still Going Along for the Ride
Daddying blog editor Scott Beller embraces his evolving role as a Dad, which will always include being his daughters' safe, reliable ride home.
Allan Shedlin
Jul 10
Something to Celebrate For America's Conflicted 250th: Principles of Our Founding Daddies
Daddying Film Fest founder Allan Shedlin longs for an America that not only celebrates landmark birthdays but also adheres to the inclusive and promising ideals its "founding fathers" clearly expressed in the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution.
Allan Shedlin
Jul 1
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
Revisiting Our Unique Daddying Perspective: Four Fathers' Days Plus One
Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) director and founder Allan Shedlin celebrates Fathers' Day in a way different from many other Dads.
Allan Shedlin
Jun 17
A Daughter's Ode To Her Father and A Father Figure
Poet Kani Manoharan Veeramarthini honors her father and an influential father figure through her poetry.
Allan Shedlin
Jun 11
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
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