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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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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
Setting Sail – A Father's Journey Reimagined
Guest poetry by 21st Century Dads founder David Hirsch intended to help comfort other parents caring for their own special needs children.
Allan Shedlin
Oct 22, 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
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
Daddying/Parenting During Trumpestuous Times
Allan puts a name to what many parents must be feeling right now and how they must overcome those feelings for the sake of their children.
Allan Shedlin
Feb 26, 2025
Trying To Live Up to High Ideals Isn’t Easy
Guest writer Claudette Scheffold remembers her fire-fighting hero father, Fred, and aspires to model his ideals daily.
Allan Shedlin
Jan 15, 2025
When It Comes to Protecting Families and Human Rights, We're Partisan Dads and Moms
After a polarizing 2024 Presidential election, DCG and D3F Founder Allan Shedlin restates the dadvocacy organizations' guiding principles.
Allan Shedlin
Nov 13, 2024
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
What Would A Father Do for His Daughter?
Filmmaker Adam Fried is inspired in his personal and professional life by his daughter and his own experience with an absent dad.
Allan Shedlin
Oct 8, 2024
D3F and Sundance Award-Winning Film "Daughters" Takes Dad Involvement to the Next Level on Netflix
We celebrate the Netflix debut of Sundance & Daddying Film Fest winning documentary Daughters by resharing Angela Patton's guest post.
Allan Shedlin
Aug 13, 2024
The Ecology of Daddying
With Fathers’ Day upon us, Allan offers a perspective on parenting that doesn't get enough attention: it doesn't happen in a vacuum.
Allan Shedlin
Jun 12, 2024
Not "Just Another Graduation"
Allan spent last weekend at his grandson Sam's college graduation, one he considers as unique as every other graduation he's attended.
Allan Shedlin
May 9, 2024
The Little Film Festival That Could and Freshman Boat That Did
While editor Scott Beller troubleshoots the virtual D3F looking for solutions, the blog gets lost and his daughter hunts a championship.
Allan Shedlin
May 4, 2024
Embrace the Gap in your Past: 5 Strategies to Seek Comfort, Encouragement, and Guidance from Family History
Guest writer & emotional health educator Jane Honikman gives guidance to parents who want to trace and connect with their family's history.
Allan Shedlin
Apr 24, 2024
How A Faithful Dad Gained A Healthy Perspective and Counts His Blessings
Cantor Rick Lawrence explains how he gained perspective about his and his family's health by visiting with others during chaplain training.
Allan Shedlin
Apr 11, 2024
Welcome to The Daddying Film Festival's Leap Year
editor Scott Beller explains why, in 2024, the D3F can afford to take a leap of faith. Spoiler alert: it's the quality films and filmmakers!
Allan Shedlin
Mar 8, 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
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
2 days ago
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
More than Your Ordinary Film Festival Metrics of Success
Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) founder Allan Shedlin explains why the six-year-old festival's metrics of success are necessarily different from thousands of other annual festivals worldwide. D3F favors the qualitative over the quantitative, and he believes those are the metrics that best reflect the festival's success in achieving its daddying mission.
Allan Shedlin
May 20
More Thoughts About Entering the Kingdom of Great Granddaddying
Allan has hope and many thoughts to share as he stands on the precipice of becoming a Great Granddaddy.
Allan Shedlin
May 13
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
Processing My Greatest Birthday Gift Ever
Daddying Film Festival & Forum founder Allan Shedlin reacts to news he'll soon be a great grandfather.
Allan Shedlin
May 1
Being a Dad-at-School is One of the Many Benefits of Being a Work-At-Home Dad
On Earth Day 2026, Daddying blog editor Scott Beller is reminded that being present in his daughters' classrooms over the years brought him as much joy as being there for them as a work-at-home Dad.
Allan Shedlin
Apr 23
Our Nest is Half Full
Daddying blog editor Scott Beller chooses to look at his imminent empty nest as half full.
Allan Shedlin
Apr 16
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
After 20 Years, We're at the Right Place at the Right Time and Still Having A Ball
On the occasion of his 20th wedding anniversary, Daddying blog editor Scott Beller reflects on how being in the right place at the right time can be life-changing.
Allan Shedlin
Apr 3
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