I Interviewed 40 Dads. Here Are 10 Things I Learned

Ten Lessons from Interviews with 40 Fathers

1. Many parenting clichés are true. Children grow up quickly, along with many other familiar truths.
2. Nobody has it all figured out. You may never feel fully competent, so try to relax and enjoy being a parent.
3. There is no finish line. Parenting keeps presenting new things to learn and work through.
4. Money can’t buy back time. Some fathers wished they had spent more time with their children.
5. Patience is a common struggle. Many parents find they have to work at it.
6. Parenting is not just hard—it’s continuous. Challenges can keep coming throughout the day.
7. You’re never completely “out of the woods.” Parenting doesn’t stay on autopilot, even when children are older.
8. Days can feel long, but years go quickly. When you’re tempted to focus on something else, remember that children eventually outgrow wanting to play, read, or sit together.
9. Childbirth often isn’t like the movies. The cinematic version may not be typical.
10. Parents are works in progress. Becoming a better parent involves recognizing imperfections, apologizing, making corrections, and continuing to improve.

Notable People and Works

• The speaker’s friends and interviewees: Ed, Mark, and Pete
• The speaker’s new book, featuring interviews with 40 parents