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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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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


The Pinnacle of Daddying
Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) founder Allan Shedlin opens the holiday season reflecting on fatherhood and how the lifelong process of daddying has been as nurturing for him as it has for his children.

Allan Shedlin
Nov 12, 2025


This is when we break
Backed by research, Equimundo founder Gary Barker offers solutions to the crisis surging with American men and fathers.

Allan Shedlin
Sep 17, 2025


Reimagining Manhood: A Path Forward from the State of American Men Report
Equimundo's Sr. Director of Research, Dr. Taveeshi Gupta, presents findings and recommendations from the 2025 State of American Men report.

Allan Shedlin
Aug 5, 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


How to Protect Our Tweens and Teens from False Messages
Psychologist Jacqueline Toner equips parents/grandparents to help children identify and debunk misinformation and disinformation.

Allan Shedlin
Mar 5, 2025


I'm Just A Dad on a Mission to Pursue Joy and Resist the Chaos
After a rough start to 2025, this dad embraces little daily joys and his daddying purpose to shield him and his family from global chaos.

Allan Shedlin
Jan 31, 2025


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


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


A Daring New Year Reflection for Dads
DCG and Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) founder Allan Shedlin challenges dads to take a good look in the mirror in the New Year.

Allan Shedlin
Dec 13, 2023


How A Wedding Toast Could Provide A Shield Against Inhumanity
DCG and Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) founder Allan Shedlin asks you to imagine a world that embraces vulnerability as a strength.

Allan Shedlin
Oct 11, 2023


The Importance of Parents Being There – REALLY Being There
DCG Founder Allan Shedlin addresses how parents can help children during the mental health crisis that's hitting teenagers especially hard.

Allan Shedlin
Mar 2, 2023


From the Penitentiary to the World Bank, Daddying Is Within Reach
DCG's Allan Shedlin urges fathers of all backgrounds to ask and act on a question most men never ponder: what kind of dad do I want to be?

Allan Shedlin
Jul 27, 2022


When Will We Finally Retire the Most Meaningless of All Two-Word Phrases?
In the wake of another gun violence tragedy, DCG founder Allan Shedlin confronts the most meaningless two-word combination in any language.

Allan Shedlin
Jun 1, 2022


Tackling the Rampaging Elephant in the (Class)room
Scott Beller has had enough gun violence. He takes on the GOP elephant in the room (& everywhere else) after Uvalde TX school mass shooting.

Allan Shedlin
May 26, 2022


Spoiler: “Learning Loss” Is A COVIDious Myth
DCG Founder Allan Shedlin explains how "learning loss" is a COVIDious myth & teachers/parents should focus on kids' pandemic learning gains.

Allan Shedlin
Nov 4, 2021


How Work-At-Home Dads are Reinventing Fatherhood and Reaping the Benefits
ThirdPath Institute founder Jessica DeGroot shares findings from Father's Day webinar showing how at-home dads are reinventing fatherhood.

Allan Shedlin
Jul 15, 2021


It's No Surprise: Crying Can Be A Dad Strength
the birth of one’s first child often provides the chink that breaks through the masculine armor that has formed throughout a boy's life...

Allan Shedlin
Feb 11, 2021


How To Best Support Your Child’s Other Father
Biological fathers shouldn't view stepdads or foster dads as a threat to the relationship they have with their kids.

Allan Shedlin
Aug 20, 2020


From Founding Father to Finding Daddy
The 2020 election seems particularly important because it comes as the world is falling apart. Our country may look to a "father figure."

Allan Shedlin
Aug 13, 2020


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
1 day ago


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


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


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


New Year, New Daddying Traditions
Daddying blog editor Scott Beller welcomed back a few old holiday traditions in 2025 and started new traditions he hopes return in 2026 and for many years to come.

Allan Shedlin
Jan 14


The 5th Annual Daddying Film Fest Offers 71 Reasons to Celebrate Importance of Involved Dads in 2026
Daddying blog editor Scott Beller officially opens the 5th annual virtual Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) by sharing a preview of the festival's official selections, 2026 Atticus Award finalists, and how to get free passes to the online festival.

Allan Shedlin
Jan 9
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