Spotlight on Dads - Dana Glazer

Spotlight on Dads is a weekly series from Discovering Dad that features involved fathers from around the world. The objective of the series is to inspire fathers to connect and learn from one another, while also deconstructing the stereotype of fathers as 'second' parents.

This week's spotlight shines on Dana Glazer from New Jersey, who writes about his experiences as a dad at The Evolution of Dad.

Tell a little about yourself. It's amazing how many different things we can be to so many people. I'm a man of many hats (quite literally, too). Here are a few of 'em:

• Filmmaker - currently totally absorbed with the production of The Evolution of Dad.
  

• Dad - to two incredibly fantastic boys, Charlie and Jamie, ages 4 and 16 months, respectively.

• Husband - to a hockey playing wife.

• Son - to a very close-knit Boston-based family.

• Brother - to a very special younger sister.

• Friend - to a select group of people who 'get me.'

• Dodgeball player - love the game!

• General lover of life - although, wouldn't it be great if there was 20 years between ages 30-40?

What about your family background? I remember visiting Provinceton a while back and coming across a T-shirt. On it was the drawing of a single family sitting in a large, empty auditorium. A banner overhead read "Happy Normal Family Convention." That's how I always felt about my family. Pretty boring, huh?

What do you like most about being a dad? Snuggling with my kids. Reading to them in the morning while we sip our drinks. Seeing the world through their eyes, and remembering what it was like when everything was magical. Most of all, though, I just love them so much, it's almost hard to remember a time when they weren't around.

What do you find most challenging about being a dad? The non-stop, day-in and day-out nature of it. There's not much time to rest, and boy do they like to get up early. I wish I had more energy, fewer gray hairs, less stress about taking care of them or worrying about them, but hey, it would be cheating if I did get these things, wouldn't it?

What's your most memorable experience(s) so far as a dad? I'm sure when I'm out of the haze of the non-stop nature of this job I'll look back and have some highlights, but for right now, I'm fairly focused on enjoying each moment as it passes, 'cuz it's sure flying by fast. Every once in a while, I'll have a flash forward thought of my boys when they're all grown and it makes me appreciate these moments all the more.

In general, how do you think dads are perceived? Why? Ahh, the whole focus of my film. Well, in a nutshell, the societal message is 'fatherhood is important,' but if you scratch the surface, it's 'back to work dads!' I think that's ingrained in most of us, and it's only the dads who really get a taste of getting to know their kids in a deeper way that see the incredible value - not only for their kids and themselves, but also for society in general. Imagine what a better world we'd be living in if the majority of kids had involved dads? It would change everything! Unfortunately, as much as we like to think the role of dad is 'evolved' there's still a long ways to go. Thirty years from now they're going to look at us dads like we were in the stone-age...

"Imagine what a better world we'd be living in if the majority of kids had involved dads? It would change everything!" -Dana Glazer

How has the experience as dad helped you discover something new about yourself? Like many dads, it's forced me to be more of a man, while at the same time, I've rediscovered the childlike wonder inside of myself from being around my kids. Pretty wild dichotomy if you ask me!

Who do you go to for advice about fatherhood? My own father, fellow dads, my wife, books, the people I'm connected to through my dad project.

Do you hang out with many other dads? If not, why? If so, what do you do together? It's a funny thing about dads hanging out. We're so damn busy with our kids and family stuff that between carving out time and geographical differences, getting together can be tough. Still, I have several close dad friends and relish the time we have together. If we're not doing kid-centric stuff then we're off to mountain climbing in the Catskills or just hanging loose. It's not as often as I would like though.

Tell a little about your blog. I have a website for the film project and a corresponding blog. I'd be thrilled to have people check it out, leave comments and become part of the project!

Anything else you'd like to share? Just how jazzed I am to be connecting with you, Jeremy, as well as all the other dads (and moms, too) out there, who are linked up through this crazy electronica. Technology is truly a double-edged sword, but connecting dads together across the globe is certainly the better side of the blade!

Next weeks Spotlight on Dads will take us to New Zealand. I hope you will join me on this adventure!

Spotlight on Dads is a weekly series published every Saturday on Discovering Dad. Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section. Your feedback and recommendations will help to shape this series. Thanks!

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