A Dad Still Going Along for the Ride
By Scott Beller
Daddying Editor and Assoc Director, Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F)
I said goodbye to the daily, DC-area rush-hour commutes nearly a quarter century ago and I honestly believe it has added years to my life. While the greatest benefit of working from home has been "being here" for my kids, most days they have also been the reason I am back on the road. Every parent learns early on that "being there" also means being their ride everywhere.
I've learned to appreciate our daily drives despite the traffic. Giving our kids a ride whenever and to/from wherever even after they get their drivers' licenses or go to college, will always be part of the gig. I've accepted that my "shuttle bus" days will never be over, just different.
And I believe that's a blessing.
It all began with our once-a-week drives to preschool when our oldest was just a "Young Two." Only a couple miles over and back through the neighborhood. Hardly any time at all, but long enough to share a duet with her and the radio, point out all the dogs being walked, and ask her what she looked forward to doing with Miss Angie that day.
One by one, we added more toddler activities to the schedule – music classes, playdates, and indoor playgrounds at the mall and places with clever names like "Monkey Business."
Two years later, we added a second adorable passenger to our preschool run. Then the floodgates opened. Tae Kwon Do classes, kiddie day camps, tee ball, and soccer.
Oh yes, soccer. Once I became a coach, which was almost immediate, soccer became it's own mass-transit operation. I'm sure every youth-sport parent knows exactly what I mean. As the girls got older, they began playing on teams in both recreational and developmental leagues, in which I served as coach for all four teams. And because I was driving to and from practices anyway, I volunteered to drive the carpool for several of our kids' teammates. If there's one thing that can make dealing with Northern Virginia traffic both more tolerable and maddening all at once, it's an SUV full of 11-year-olds.
The sum of these daily jaunts that began when my girls were toddlers became my new work commute. Even though I retired as their coach long ago and they've both learned to drive themselves almost anywhere, their mother and I remain faithfully at their service. The driving routes may have changed, but the job remains the same. We're on-call to be their reliable ride home.
Crew practice twice a day in the city? You got it. Pick you up from school in Syracuse during a snowstorm? I'm there. Summer job with expensive parking and weird hours? No problem. It's exactly what we signed up for when we became parents. All of it.
Well, maybe I couldn't foresee ALL the specific job requirements from the beginning, given how uninvolved my own father was and how few activity opportunities were open to me when I was growing up. But because of that experience, I knew that if I was lucky enough to become a Dad, my kids would be my priority and my involvement would be unconditional.
In short, whatever my kids need, if it's in my power to provide it, I absolutely will. Whether that's an encouraging word, a hug, or a rush-hour ride into the city for their second practice of the day. It's all a part of maintaining my connection with them. I hope they feel an added sense of security knowing their Dad will always be along for the ride. Because I do.
Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) 2027
The Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) 2027 Call for Entries is finally underway on FilmFreeway! Students, Dads/Granddads, Moms/Grandmoms, and dad figures can submit films/videos for FREE by September 7, 2026!
Submissions will be accepted through November 23rd, so, plenty of time to create your films or videos demonstrating the importance of having or being an involved Dad/dad figure, including Instagram Reels, Tiktoks, music and dance videos!
Since 2022, we've received submissions from 56 countries and we're excited to present another amazing collection of the best daddying stories told by students (3rd grade-undergrad), Dads/Granddads, Moms/Grandmoms, dad figures, and indie filmmakers from around the world! Check the D3F website or our FilmFreeway page for more inspiration, submission details, and Atticus Award winning films from previous years!
SAVE THE DATES: The 6th annual, virtual Daddying Film Festival will take place on Eventive, January 11-20, 2027, and our LIVE Daddying Film Forum, at American University in Washington, DC, will screen select Atticus Award winners and finalists, January 29-30, 2027.
Scott Beller is the proud, imperfect crew Dad of two teen, mighty girls, imperfect partner of their rock-star mom/regatta chaperone, a truth teller, purveyor of banned books, former youth soccer coach, championship basketball coach, retired part-time driving instructor, late-night filmgoer, Editor of the Daddying blog, Director of Communications for DCG and Associate Director of the Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F). He's a seasoned writer and PR agency veteran with more than 35 years of experience helping organizations of all sizes and individuals reach audiences and tell their stories. Prior to launching his own creative communications consultancy in 2003, he led PR teams with some of the world’s most respected agencies, including The Weber Group and Fleishman-Hillard. As a consultant, he’s helped launch two other parenting advocacy nonprofits with DCG founder Allan Shedlin, REEL Fathers and Dads Unlimited. His first book, Beggars or Angels, was a ghostwritten memoir for the nonprofit Devotion to Children's founder Rosemary Tran Lauer. He is formerly known as "Imperfect Dad" and Head Writer/Editor for the Raising Nerd blog, which supports parents in inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and creative problem solvers. He earned his BA in Communications from VA Tech so many years ago. You can follow him and his frequently salty language on Instagram and BlueSky.
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