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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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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
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
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
A Poem For Our Grandchildren During Ugly Times
Granddad, poet, and literary activist E. Ethelbert Miller shares an original poem for his grandchildren and yours that reflects these difficult times.
Allan Shedlin
Oct 1, 2025
Time and Babies Fly Part III: A Daddying Poem
For back-to-school, Daddying blog editor Scott Beller continues chronicling the journey towards his oldest daughter's departure for her freshman year of college with a poem.
Allan Shedlin
Aug 1, 2025
A Dad's Influence and Memory Helps This Poet Remain Bulletproof
The Bulletproof Poet, Ismael Rodriguez, Jr., shares poetry that carries the positive, lasting impact of a father being there for his child.
Allan Shedlin
Feb 7, 2024
In This "Banner" Year, Celebrate Freedom of Reading Whatever You and Your Kids Want
Daddying blog's 3rd annual Books to Read With Your Kids Holiday Gift Guide and Giveaway
Allan Shedlin
Nov 25, 2022
Dads of A Certain Age: A Poetic Day in the Life
Award-winning author J. Boyce Gleason adds his "fitting" poetry to the Daddying blog's growing archive of daddying verse.
Allan Shedlin
Oct 26, 2022
Toward Tenderizing Daddy Disappointment
Fathering Words from poet E. Ethelbert Miller inspire thoughts of daddy yearning and forgiveness in DCG founder Allan Shedlin.
Allan Shedlin
Aug 31, 2022
Unraveling the Mysteries of Our Fathers
The book "The Little Prince" inspires poets Miho Kinnas and E. Ethelbert Miller to ponder mysteries of their fathers.
Allan Shedlin
Aug 10, 2022
To Ease the Suffering of Ukrainian Refugees (and Our Own Guilt)
DCG founder Allan Shedlin turns to poetry as he grapples with the guilt he feels while Ukrainian families suffer far away.
Allan Shedlin
Mar 16, 2022
A Dad for the Holidays
DADDYING guest writer Kirsten Porter shares holiday memories of and poetry to express her yearning to reconcile with her father.
Allan Shedlin
Dec 2, 2021
Annie's Poem: A Child Copes With Pandemic Anxiety
9-year-old Annie has turned to poetry during the COVID pandemic to help express and cope with the difficult things she's been feeling.
Allan Shedlin
Oct 28, 2021
The Daddying Ties That Bind
DCG Founder Allan Shedlin and DADvisor Hakim Bellamy harmonize different daddying perspectives with poems using necktie imagery and themes.
Allan Shedlin
May 20, 2021
Lost In The Sun
As best as any words can, Ethelbert Miller's "Lost In The Sun" conveys some of the unimaginable heartbreak felt by a parent losing a child.
Allan Shedlin
Sep 10, 2020
Soul Searching and Daddy Yearning In COVID-19 Isolation
The men of my family were men of small rooms. I think of this as I begin another week of social distancing.
Allan Shedlin
Apr 15, 2020
Fathering The Sickness (AKA Ministering to the Sick)
Dad wouldn’t have done anything different in a pandemic. He was always stockpiling essentials.
Allan Shedlin
Apr 8, 2020
Daddying Vows: A Worthy Remembrance of Kobe and Gianna Bryant
All too often, the heartfelt vows that fathers make to their children at birth seem to disappear to a secret land of single socks and...
Allan Shedlin
Feb 27, 2020
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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