After a few blog posts on blogging, I realize that no one is going to want to read a blog about blogging all the time. I will update frequently on the behind the scenes things as they change or update, but that isn’t what I plan to blog about every week.
For a while now, I have noticed an interesting trend online: while you constantly see articles and blog posts from so-called “blogger moms,” it is very rare to read anything that was written by a blogger dad. I don’t mean that men don’t write articles, of course. There are countless male authors of scholarly papers, news articles, tech blogs, even cooking and fashion blogs. What I mean is that fathers in general are not featured prominently by most media, and it is rare for there to be an open dialog between men about raising children. Our culture in America and even globally today glosses over fatherhood.
From a modern point of view, the idea of a traditional family unit is seen as “old fashioned,” outdated, and sometimes even fundamentalist. Having been raised conservative myself, I naturally disagree with this, but my purpose in opening up this avenue of dialog is not to get political. Instead, I want to share what being a dad means to me; and I hope that other dads who read my blog will get ideas, find helpful tips, or at least see that there is another person out here who understands what it’s like to come home from work and have to change a diaper before you can take your shoes off.
We dads need each other. We need a place where we can come together and be real, where we can help each other through the tough days and congratulate each other on our victories. The name of my blog, “Resources for Underdogs,” was inspired by the everyday heroes who work tirelessly to provide for their families and make ends meet, without compromising what makes them unique in the first place. We who would lay down our lives for our children, but also have dreams of our own. We work long hours, sacrifice many nights and weekends, and then fall asleep on the couch when we finally have a night to ourselves because we just don’t have anything left.
I don’t say any of this to “toot my own horn,” as they say. I say these things to let my fellow dads know that I get it, I know how you feel. Not as a grandfather or a successful billionaire (or both?) who has come out of the journey on the other side, but as someone who is in the trenches right now with you. We are the underdogs. This blog, and everything I post on it, is for you.
The longer I write, the more heavy and serious I tend to get, so let me finish this post today by sharing a video of my son being hilarious for my YouTube channel. Thanks for reading, keep up the good fight, and I’ll see you guys soon.
Terry
Great! Keep it up.
Mary Archer
Elijah, my name is Mary Janette Archer, I will be 80 years old Oct. 7, and I appreciate so much your creating this blog to inspire all fathers to be as you are. Terry was Pastor at my church home, Black Springs Baptist Church, and Sandy was loved by all of us, as was Terry himself. God is using you through your blog and I shall pray for you! Amen!
Cindy
Elijah, thanks for stepping out there. I often feel that the voices of good men are being muffled by all the noise out there today. You and Erica make me glad in the heart, and I so enjoy seeing your family grow.
One of my fave songs ever is “Underdog” by Audio A. It reminds me that it’s all about Him, and he was thought to be a loser. I want to be on that Loser’s team!
Please keep on speaking up. If you help only ONE person it will be worth it.