involved dads | DADvocacy Consulting

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.

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

Springing Forward but Dad's Still Keeping Time

Daddying editor Scott Beller adapts to an evolving Spring Break schedule with his teen daughters, one in college and one still at home.

Allan Shedlin

Mar 20

Daddying and the Toys That Bind

Daddying editor Scott Beller returned from Toy Fair 2026 inspired and ready to roll out expanded blog and Daddying Film Festival content to include a focus on the importance of play.

Allan Shedlin

Mar 4

What Fatherhood Taught Me About Leadership, Accountability, and Legacy

Guest writer Joe Henderson, men's coach and founder of Lead Don't Blame, discusses the importance of presence and reveals how true leadership in the adult world begins at home in how you respond to everyday interactions with your kids and family.

Allan Shedlin

Feb 18

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

How I Made a Short Film as a Single, Full-Time Dad When Time, Money, and Energy Are Gone

Award-winning filmmaker Andrew Coughlin explains how he is inspired to keep creating despite his scarcity of time and resources as a single Dad. His short film, "The Small Hours," won the 2026 Daddying Film Festival & Forum's Roy R. Neuberger Prize for Best Dad-Created Film.

Allan Shedlin

Feb 4

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

Why I Work with Dads

Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) founder Allan Shedlin explains why he's made it his mission to support the work of Dads around the world and impact of the international Daddying Film Fest.

Allan Shedlin

Dec 2, 2025

Joe Gleason and one of his young sons smiling

Farewell to A Caring, Thoughtful, Giving Dad, Granddad, and Writer

Daddying blog editor Scott Beller remembers his first boss, longtime friend, and award-winning writer J. Boyce Gleason.

Allan Shedlin

Nov 6, 2025

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

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

A smiling dad standing between his two smiling teen daughters.

When Our Babies Become Adults, Daddying Work Persists

Daddying blog Editor Scott Beller debunks the myth that dads and their children can age out of blogging relevance.

Allan Shedlin

Sep 24, 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

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

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

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

Five Diverse and Inclusive Years of Daddying

Editor Scott Beller and founder Allan Shedlin celebrate the Daddying blog's 5-year anniversary.

Allan Shedlin

Feb 20, 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

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

3 days ago

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

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

Springing Forward but Dad's Still Keeping Time

Daddying editor Scott Beller adapts to an evolving Spring Break schedule with his teen daughters, one in college and one still at home.

Allan Shedlin

Mar 20

What Floats to the Top

Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) founder Allan Shedlin, whose older brother is battling cancer, reflects on the importance and true masculinity of men expressing emotion, tenderness, and compassion.

Allan Shedlin

Mar 10

Daddying and the Toys That Bind

Daddying editor Scott Beller returned from Toy Fair 2026 inspired and ready to roll out expanded blog and Daddying Film Festival content to include a focus on the importance of play.

Allan Shedlin

Mar 4

A Special Dad's Quest to Balance the Needs of the Many

Guest writer Clint Harrison, a Dad of Two, adoptive Dad of six, and foster Dad to many, explains some challenges involved in caring for his uniquely blended family.

Allan Shedlin

Feb 26