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The Good Life Magazine – September-October 2023

On the cover – Veterans Honor Flight of North Dakota / Minnesota. Also in this issue, the Changing Roles of Dad’s in Modern Parenting, Life Lessons with Fargo Police Captain and Local Hero Bill Ahlfeldt, How to Find the Perfect Squash and Pumpkin and more!

On the cover – Veterans Honor Flight of North Dakota / Minnesota. Also in this issue, the Changing Roles of Dad’s in Modern Parenting, Life Lessons with Fargo Police Captain and Local Hero Bill Ahlfeldt, How to Find the Perfect Squash and Pumpkin and more!

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and open communication between fathers and their<br />

children, creating an environment where children feel<br />

comfortable sharing their feelings with their fathers.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re’s nothing “beta,” about being there emotionally<br />

for your kids.<br />

As a self-diagnosed workaholic, I have come to<br />

fully understand that, yes, quantity of time is just as<br />

important as quality of time. Being under the same roof<br />

as your child does not necessarily equate to quality<br />

time spent together. I have had to work very hard to be<br />

actively engaged – does that mean I sometimes have<br />

to sit through detailed explanations of the computer<br />

game Roblox and its many intricacies? Absolutely. But<br />

it’s hard not to smile and be excited about something<br />

my son is excited about… even if I have no idea what<br />

he’s talking about.<br />

Kings of the Kitchen and Lords of Laundry<br />

In modern parenting, the division of responsibilities<br />

between parents is becoming increasingly fluid. We<br />

dads are not just lending a hand; more and more we<br />

are equal partners in the daily grind of parenting and<br />

family life. Gone are the days of “barefoot and pregnant<br />

wife”. Us dads are now donning the domestic roles in<br />

an effort to balance out household responsibilities.<br />

This shift has come due to the changing scope of<br />

everyday family life. My father was able to work one or<br />

two jobs and support our family while my mother was<br />

able to stay home for most of our lives growing up. We<br />

were very fortunate. However, for millions of families,<br />

this is no longer an option due to the rising cost of<br />

living and the expensive nature of raising a family.<br />

Sports participation is a prime example of rising<br />

costs: see my previous articles for a full rundown of<br />

the expenses.<br />

From managing household chores to making important<br />

decisions, the collaborative and shared approach to<br />

parenting and household duties benefits both parents'<br />

personal growth and the overall family dynamic. <strong>The</strong><br />

sharing of responsibilities not only eases the burden<br />

on mothers but also encourages a more balanced<br />

and happy household where both parents are equally<br />

involved. Happy wife, happy life, correct?<br />

<strong>The</strong> Future of Parenting: A Shared Vision<br />

As more fathers embrace their multifaceted roles,<br />

they are creating a future where children grow up with<br />

a broader understanding of changing gender roles,<br />

empathy, and the importance of working together<br />

as a family unit. Us modern dads are rewriting the<br />

script, actively participating in our children's lives,<br />

and nurturing a sense of partnership within families.<br />

By breaking free from outdated stereotypes and<br />

embracing our roles wholeheartedly, fathers are<br />

shaping the future, one bedtime story, fart joke, and a<br />

shared laugh at a time. Welcome to the new fraternity<br />

of paternity, gentlemen. •<br />

urbantoadmedia.com | 3

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