Super Dads: Men that are Heroes to their Children
I’m so impressed with the way my husband, Roland, has embraced fatherhood. He’s a quiet spirit, intelligent, accountable, funny, warm, and seldom breaks a sweat when obstacles come his way. My mom calls him an “old soul.” My dad says, “You’re a lucky kid kiddo to have such a great husband.” What makes my husband an exceptional father and extraordinaire human being is that he has the patience, love, and desire to be a positive and influential figure in our sons’ lives.
Roland and I met in undergrad at Clark Atlanta University, located in Atlanta, GA. He swears he noticed me first, but he caught my eye on the promenade; a place where sorority and fraternity members stroll and future love birds meet. Having the same English class our first year sealed the deal, and six years later we jumped the broom in holy matrimony. I tell him that his life would be boring without me. Secretly, I think he agrees.
If my husband wasn’t so introverted, I’d cast him in a reality show on public access television and call it, “Super Dad.” He’s the modern day Cliff Huxtable, but with a little swagger. More like my dad or President Obama, who made Father’s Day a “national conversation on responsible fatherhood and healthy families,” according to the White House. President Obama bringing the conversation of fatherhood to the forefront is important and vital to the development of children.
Roland’s father and my dad have a strong presence in our lives and provide us daily with lifelong lessons. My husband has continued this with our children. It’s about stepping up to the plate and not striking out. It’s our job to raise strong young men who understand the importance of taking care of their responsibilities, and provide them with positive role models to look up to for guidance, support, and unconditional love. When the time comes, they will be super dads for their children.
Sojourner Marable Grimmett has a BA in communications from Clark Atlanta University and an MA in media studies from Pennsylvania State University. She is a stay-at-work mom and her experience in higher education spans over 10 years working in student services and admissions. Sojourner previously worked at CNN, Georgia Public Television, and as an AmeriCorps member at Harvard University’s Martin Luther King Jr. after-school program. She lives in Atlanta with her husband, Roland and two young sons, Roland Jay and Joshua. Visit and comment on her blog sojournermarablegrimmett.blogspot.com follow her on twitter and like her on Facebook.
Photo: Allen Cooley Photography
9 Comments to “Super Dads: Men that are Heroes to their Children”
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I can’t believe it! I would love to see more posts like this. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it say it again; You get much more than an academic education at a HBCU.
Thanks for the comment!
Cheche – I’m so sorry to hear this. I recently lost my father. He was an exceptional father and extraordinary human being. My hope is that the more we talk about excellent fathers then that will help break the pattern of deadbeat dads. Do you have contact with your father? Maybe reach out to him and ask these questions. Keep me posted! All the very best to you and your daughter.
I cried when I read this article because at the age of 56 I still want to know why my father never wanted to be in my life. This pattern continues with my daughters father who is a deadbeat too. God bless all fathers who love and care for their children
Sister, you are not alone. Just focus your energy on raising a young woman who has no regrets. And, please, take care of YOURSELF.
Love this post! I agree with the importance of having a positive father figure in a child’s life. I cringe when I hear women say things like “my kids don’t need no daddy, they have me and that’s enough”.
Yes, unfortunately, some men choose to walk away from their children. We know that you cannot make anyone be a parent, male or female. I do believe, however, that it is vital to have a positive male role model, even when daddy leaves the nest. Like an uncle, grandpa, cousin, friend, pastor….someone positive that you trust wholeheartedly and who will be be active in the child’s life because they genuinely want to and care of his/her well being.
My husband, bless him, he has been more than I ever thought he would be as a father, to our daughter. When she was born, I knew he would be there, I did count on that. If I thought otherwise, I would not have procreated with him LOL. Anyway, when she was born, he took fatherhood by a storm. He did everything that a mother does, with love. I didn’t have to make him change poopy diapers, he did it on his own. He stayed up all night holding her, and still managed to go to work the next morning. He tells her how beautiful she is everyday. Along with playing with her, reading to her, and disciplining her. I feel that he is only being a father and while he doesn’t get a gold star for doing what he is SUPPOSED to do, I am damn proud that he does all these things with LOVE. Not just because it is required. My husbands parenting skills has made me love him in places that I didn’t even know existed.
Dani – Thanks for the post! Amen to that!
Loved your article. Both parents are important in a child’s life but knowing your Dad and having a good Dad around daily is a priceless asset in one’s life. Thanks again for sharing your perspective.
Thanks for the post! So many of us have Super Dads in our lives that unfortunately don’t get recognized for doing a great job!