The beginning.

What is DADSOHARD?

A lot of people ask me that question since I started using that hashtag when my son, Harris was born.
My answer is usually different every time but, I always circle back to one thing;
If you’re going to take the time to do something, do it better than anybody and do it with enthusiasm!
Doesn’t matter what it is, just do it to the best of your ability.

When I was just a wee Murph, my parents split up. My mother was tasked with raising three Irish boys on her own with some help along the way. That help came in the form of someone I call a super-hero, my step-dad, Francis. I’m sure when he and my mother first met he wasn’t even thinking about the fact that she had 3 boys that needed a father figure! 30 years later he’s still the best dad in the World.

Being a father now and having a career, I think to myself, how the hell did he do it? Why did he do it?
Some things just don’t come with directions. That’s where DADSOHARD comes into mind.
My dad would coach our crappy city-sponsored sports teams and show up with genuine enthusiasm to be there and be a part of his kids’ lives. He would get off work and still take the time to play catch or help us build a bike ramp that all my friends were jealous of. He didn’t tell me to wait until the weekend or that he was too tired or busy, he just did it and he had fun doing it.

One thing I can’t recall; my dad ever looking like he didn’t know what he was doing. Even to this day he admits that he had no idea how to be a dad or how to raise 3 boys let alone a functioning adult in society! My point is this; you don’t have to know everything about being a dad. Just show up and give a damn. At the end of the day you’re bringing up another human in the world! They need a good example!

So if you’re a new dad or adding another one to the roster – cutting wood in the backyard or teaching your child the importance and effectiveness of the “bean-ball” – do it better than anybody!

#DADSOHARD