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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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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
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
It's Graduation Day for Daddy Too
Dr. Anthony Fleg faces the next daddying phase as he wishes his daughter well on the occasion of her high school graduation.
Allan Shedlin
May 27
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
Why Not Speak the Truth to Our Kids Through History?
Daddying blog editor Scott Beller suggests letting the truth of history be the guide when talking with our kids about important topics that too often have been politicized and obscured with misinformation.
Allan Shedlin
Apr 9
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
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
Getting the Banned Back Together
Daddying blog editor Scott Beller kicks off the holiday season by presenting the 6th annual Books to Read with Your Kids Holiday Gift Guide & FREE Book Giveaway!
Allan Shedlin
Nov 26, 2025
At School Our Kids Are Now Forced to Learn the Difference Between Spooky and Truly Scary
Daddying blog Editor Scott Beller writes about the horrific state of our country and classrooms in 2025 and how this Halloween, our kids have been forced to learn the difference between Halloween frights and real monsters.
Allan Shedlin
Oct 31, 2025
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
Those End-Of-Summer Butterflies May Never Go Extinct
D3F founder Allan Shedlin writes that as the bell rings on a new school year, something is profoundly awry in our nation and those end-of-summer butterflies are back, bigger and more active than ever.
Allan Shedlin
Aug 13, 2025
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
Finding True Liberty Where Patriots Declared Their Independence and Inalienable Rights
Daddying editor Scott Beller visited Philadelphia to cheer for his daughter in the Independence Day Regatta but also got to witness history.
Allan Shedlin
Jul 7, 2023
I Really Lucked Out In 5th Grade
DCG and Daddying Film Festival & Forum founder Allan Shedlin remembers and gives thanks for a caring teacher he considered a father figure.
Allan Shedlin
May 31, 2023
Our Kids' Halloween Frights Should Not Last A Lifetime
DCG founder Allan Shedlin envisions a post-Uvalde world where Halloween frights only come once a year for kids, teachers, and parents.
Allan Shedlin
Nov 4, 2022
An Important Daddying Perspective for a New School Year
DCG founder Allan Shedlin prepares for back to school by thanking teachers for their dedication during difficult times.
Allan Shedlin
Aug 16, 2022
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
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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