Fatherhood
Father’s Day Thoughts From 8 Dads We Love
Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano
Photography by Photographed by Sabrina Bot
Jun 19, 2015
Father’s Day weekend is officially upon us. And we couldn’t think of a better way to kick off the holiday than to dial up some of our favorite dads and ask them to sit back and ponder the wild ride that is fatherhood. From what makes them worry to what brings them the most joy, the love these dudes have for their littles is palpable. Read all of that, plus what they really want for Father’s Day, right here. Cue the Awwwwwwwws, people.
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- What excites you about fatherhood? "Spontaneity. My son is always teaching me about playing and letting go of stress. Kai reminds me to notice everything around me and walk slower through life. They are both magical.” What makes you most nervous? "They are both getting older so fast. I would love to have time slow down so that they could be kids for a little bit longer." What's an ideal day look like with them? "Making breakfast together, walking Wyeth to school while having a bonding, blissful, and usually downright hilarious conversation about Marvel characters. After homework we jump on his Xbox for a take-no-prisoners game of Injustice. Kai and I have the most incredible park time where we touch and discuss every person, animal, noise, and plant." What's the best piece of fatherhood advice you have received, or that you can pass on? "The best advice is the simplest and the hardest to do: Listening way more than speaking." What do you want for Father's Day? "Kai's laugh and that Wyeth let me win on the Xbox!" For more on Patrick, check out Paskho (launching in July).
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- What excites you about fatherhood? "Waking up each day with Dash. I see his excitement and enthusiasm about the smallest things in life. That excitement is infectious. He genuinely inspires me to want to be a better version of myself. I strive to live up to his expectations and loving admiration." What makes you most nervous? "Sometimes I feel myself falling into those familiar parental traps. Am I spoiling him? Am I giving him the discipline he needs? It’s hard to strike the right balance. I just try to do my best each day!" What's an ideal day look like with him? "Waking up early with him and building things out of Legos, then to The Mill for coffee and toast, followed by a sunny day at the beach, building sand castles and having a picnic lunch." What's the best piece of fatherhood advice you have you received, or that you can pass on? "I feel that as a parent one of the most important things that I can provide is a feeling of consistency and stability. For example, routines and rituals around meals and bedtime can be a sort of bedrock that make Dash less anxious and more confident in a world that’s all brand new to him." What do you want for Father's Day? "It’s always the same: A new surfboard!" For more on Josh, check out The Podolls and Christopher Grimes Gallery.
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- What excites you about fatherhood? "Being a parent is so much work, but what makes it doable for me is how exciting the changes are. Lately she has been watching me work on our house and comes out and imitates me, it's amazing. I can't wait til we can build things together.” What makes you most nervous? "I'm actually a big worrier. I worry when Rachel and Romy go places together. I know I couldn't handle something happening to them. Actually last night I was having a scary dream and I woke up to Romy crying. Rachel said that I jumped out of bed and said, ‘They're here for Romy,' and ran into her room to grab her. I was totally out of it. I think this is a good example of my level of nervousness.” What's an ideal day look like with her? "We've recently started riding a bike together. Every time we walk by the bike on the side yard Romy gets really excited. We ride through Golden Gate Park, up to the Academy of Sciences, or to see the James Turrell skyspace or the big playground with the cement slides. Romy is really into climbing, so playgrounds are fun.” What's the best piece of fatherhood advice you have received, or that you can pass on? "Baby proof your house!” What do you want for Father's Day? "I'd like to have a beach day." For more on Jay, check out his site and Instagram feed.
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- What excites you about fatherhood? "Seeing all of my kids develop and interact with each other! They all have such strong personalities." What makes you most nervous? "That I'm doing something wrong. I think about them being happy a lot and I wonder if I should be more strict at times." What's an ideal day look like with your kids? "Starts in bed. Lots of hugs, then I cook everyone breakfast and they all like it. If the weather is nice maybe a bike ride or some time at the beach. Night time is more cuddling on the couch and stories. With Max I really like our road trips together to his basketball tournaments." What's the best piece of fatherhood advice you have received, or that you can pass on? "Treat each child individually and pay attention to early desires." What do you want for Father's Day? "Just being with my kids...and no breakdowns." For more on Steven, check out his site.
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- What excites you about fatherhood? "I’m most excited for the guarantee of growth in my own life. I find that I’m the most inspired by being in uncomfortable and difficult situations. Being a dad is probably the hardest and most draining thing I’ve ever done and I know that the experience will continue to change me for the better." What makes you most nervous? "Oh man, there’s a ton of things, but I guess I really just don’t want to screw 'em up. I’m worried that my action or inaction might cause them to somehow not believe in themselves as they get older." What's an ideal day look like with your kids? "It’s hard to give one specific instance, because I can think of so many dream days. However, given their current ages the fundamentals that construct an ideal day look a little something like this: 1. Mom is with us. 2. Complete separation from work. That means no computer, cell phone, checking emails, or social media. A camera for documenting adventures is okay, but nothing that pulls me away from enjoying the present. Waking up in a place other than our home, in a bed that is not mine is also a plus. 3. I’m present for the kids’ first waking moments. The vigor and excitement that they approach every new day reminds me that life is good. 4. The majority of the day is spent in some body of water—I don’t care if it’s a beach, lake, or the pool. Right now swimming is their favorite thing to do, which works for me, because without water I dry up. 5. We end the day with a long walk/stroller ride. It might seem a little boring, but I’ve found that if those five things happen in one day it’s usually a pretty epic day for everyone."
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- What's the best piece of fatherhood advice you have received, or that you can pass on? "It’s only natural that in order to be a good father you need to become less selfish and it’s vital that you put the needs of your children above those of yourself. However, one thing I learned from my parents is that it’s still super important to maintain your sense of self. My dad is a great example of this. He’s paddled outrigger canoes in Hawaii since before he could walk, and he still does it today. Come to think of it, he’s currently in Australia for a canoe race. He’s turning 60 this year, but he’s in such good shape that his crews are smoking people that are 20 years younger than him. I saw how passionate he was about paddling and at a young age it made me proud to have him as a dad, and to be his son. I love to surf. I do it a lot and it helps make me a better human. I hope that my passion for surfing will be something that can give my children a sense of pride. I think it’s important to pass along an example of passionate living to encourage our children to invest in their own self-identity and the things that make them the best versions of themselves." What do you want for Father's Day? "I’m not a big fan of gifts, but we do have plans. We’ll be waking up in Palm Springs, following the five fundamentals to construct an ideal day." For more on Kahana, check out Aloha Sunday, Hoordrat Holidays, and his Instagram feed.
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- What excites you about fatherhood? "Pretty much everything, to be honest. I have so much fun with Lucien. And to think it will continue to get more fun as he gets older (until he starts beating me in 1-on-1, then I'll know I'm officially old)." What makes you most nervous? "Thinking about him driving a car by himself. That will be a scary moment." What's an ideal day look like with him? "Doing pretty much any outdoor activity. That's one tough part about NYC in the winter, the poor guy is stuck inside all day." What's the best piece of fatherhood advice you have received, or that you can pass on? "Learn to set boundaries from day one. I swear the kid was less than a month old and he was already testing what he could get away with!" What do you want for Father's Day? "I told my wife not to get me a gift. Just a chill day with the fam is fine. And maybe an afternoon cocktail." For more on Jeff, check out his Instagram feed.
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- What excites you about fatherhood? "Fatherhood is exciting for so many reasons, but the best part is to see things through the eyes of a child again. It makes you appreciate the simple things that brought you joy when we were younger." What makes you most nervous? “Everything. Ha! I think worrying is ingrained in me from my Jewish mother. I want to make sure they grow up healthy with more opportunities then I had." What's an ideal day look like with your kids? "Just a lot of laughs and Rumi picking up after herself. We all know the last part rarely happens." What's the best piece of fatherhood advice you have received, or that you can pass on? "The best advice is to practice patience and do your best to enjoy it." What do you want for Father's Day? "My second kid was just born 6 weeks ago, so I feel like I already recieved the best gift possible." For more on Benny Gold, check out his site and Instagram feed.
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- What excites you about fatherhood? “Helping design his lifestyle. Kidding. Kinda.” What makes you most nervous? "Teenage years." What's an ideal day look like with him? “Disneyland." What's the best piece of fatherhood advice you have received, or that you can pass on? "Learn from my mistakes. Take only the best from me." What do you want for Father's Day? "A cashmere house robe. #Daddylife" For more on Gabe, check out The Brooklyn Circus.
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