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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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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
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
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
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
7 days ago
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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