Springing Forward but Dad's Still Keeping Time
- Allan Shedlin
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
By Scott Beller
Daddying Editor
In the "before times," the four of us would pack the car and head out on a couple-hour-long roadtrip to the Eastern Shore or Hershey, PA or just fill the kids' spring break week with a series of local field trips to museums, zoos, and activity centers. Whatever the destination, we travelled together.
Lately, though, spring breaks around here can be tough on a crew Dad and Mom. The past four years, both our rowers have spent the week hundreds of miles away rowing 2x a day in intense preparation for the new season while bonding with their high-school teammates.
Sure, my wife and I have been able to soften the blow by taking our own little trips with the kids gone. For example, we spent some time in New Orleans a few years back. But spring breaking without them has just never felt right to me. And now with our kids growing up and out, I'm beginning to understand how our then seven-year-old felt when we took a quick couple of days to celebrate our March wedding anniversary back in 2015 while the little ones stayed with my sister (and otherwise had tons of fun).
This year's spring break schedule is a little different. One daughter will depart while the other one came home.
Next week, our high schooler launches for another crew camp in far away Tennessee, leaving Mom and Dad in her wake ("right now I am crying - see my proof!?"). Last week, however, our college freshman chose to spend her spring vacation here at home relaxing with friends and, with a little planning on my part, her family. (It helped that she didn't have to go far to find warmer temperatures and less snow than was blanketing Syracuse.)
Before all her days and nights got filled with friend activities, I wanted to guarantee at least a few hours with her. So, I booked us a Dad-daughter date for the weekend she arrived. We had dinner and enjoyed some live music at The Hamilton, a venue neither of us had been before. The "All You Need is George" George Harrison tribute band later in the week was sold out (she loves the Beatles) but, luckily, tickets to Toad the Wet Sprocket lead singer/songwriter Glen Phillips' acoustic show were still available.
The music seemed a good fit, the timing was right, and after securing concert tickets for an artist both my daughters love for this summer (Noah Kahan), I thought I'd take a chance on an artist I liked but had never seen live. It couldn't have been a more perfect evening and way to welcome her home. The food was excellent. The music was new-ish to her and hauntingly familiar to me. Stripped down but no less energizing. A Dad of three daughters and his guitar bringing back and making memories all at once. Pure joy.
The night was a gift to both of us. I'll remember it every time I hear one of Phillips' songs.
All I want is to feel this way
To be this close, to feel the same
– from the song All I Want, 1991, written by Glen Phillips
Later in the week, my freshman and I went to the polls to vote early in the Virginia special election. Then we had lunch at Call Your Mother on our way to see my aunt. Simple, everyday moments that could be taken for granted. Now I know better.
They mean everything when your older kids can spare the time to share them with you.
Meanwhile, her little sister was finishing up another successful rec basketball season with me as a coach (another championship game, but we came up just short). With crew taking up six days of her week, almost year-round, it always surprises me when she reenlists for winter basketball. Each of the last four seasons, I've questioned whether I wanted to take the ride with her. Especially THIS season, having won the previous two playoff tournaments and now that she's able to drive herself to and from practices.
I ceded my soccer coaching duties to her travel coaches a few years ago but I'm glad I've remained her basketball coach since 3rd grade. Not necessarily because I love basketball or that I'm particularly good at coaching the sport. But because I've loved watching her play something she still has fun playing with friends and with zero pressure. And because I love that it's another regular activity that has kept us connected to each other and the past.
There's still another week left before we wave goodbye as our rower hits the road for another spring break row-a-thon. Her Mom and I will distract ourselves by taking a short trip of our own to celebrate our 20th anniversary.
Even as we enjoy some nice dinners out alone, I'm sure the topic of conversation will often drift into wondering what our kids are up to, hoping they're safe and happy, and how we wish they were here.
Daddying Film Festival & Forum 2027
June 21, 2026
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 will screen Atticus Award winners and finalists, January 29-30, 2027! Start planning your submissions now for the D3F 2027 Call for Entries, which opens this Fathers' Day, June 21st. More D3F news to come!
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.
