I woke up one morning with tears on my pillow. It was the lingering emotion from a dream – a dream that perfectly captured the fleeting nature of fatherhood.
In the dream, I stood in a vast, hot desert, holding my young son in my left arm and my daughter in my right. A train suddenly appeared, stopping right in front of us with a metallic screech. The doors opened, and I helped my children aboard. They were so innocent, happy, and excited about the journey ahead. I waved goodbye, tears streaming down my face, a deep ache in my chest because I knew I had to let them go.
The train doors closed, then another set of doors opened. My children stepped out, but now they were adults – serious, focused, powerful figures. I smiled with pride at seeing who they had become, but a profound sadness washed over me. I missed my little kids.
They say the days are long, but the years are short. Even as a stay-at-home dad, spending nearly all my time with my kids, I still feel like it’s not enough. What about the dads who spend most of their days at the office, away from their families? How many parents will one day regret not having spent more time with their children, wishing they could turn back the clock?
But we can’t go back in time. That dream was a stark reminder. It solidified my commitment to learning how to avoid that future regret. That’s what The Learning Dad Blog is all about. It’s embracing the journey – Learn. Grow. Father. – so we can intentionally create a Dad Life by Design, one that allows us to experience Fully Present Fatherhood.
Hi, I’m Jed, the dad behind The Learning Dad Blog. I moved from being a busy entrepreneur to a stay-at-home dad to be more involved in my children’s lives. This blog shares lessons I’ve learned (and am still learning) along the way, blending practical insights with personal experiences. I am also trained by “The World Needs a Father,” a program inspired by Cassie Carstens’ book.
The Learning Dad Blog covers the essential elements of a rewarding fatherhood experience, concentrating on four core areas:
- Intentional Fatherhood: Designing your unique approach to parenting by learning crucial skills, understanding your kids, building strong bonds, and cultivating a present mindset.
- Work & Purpose: Designing your career or business life to align with your values and family goals, covering work-life integration, WFH strategies, finding meaningful work, and productivity.
- Family Finances: Designing a financial plan that supports your family’s dreams and reduces stress, covering budgeting, saving, investing (with practical tips for Philippine context), and financial literacy for dads.
- The Learning Dad Life: Designing your personal growth path as a man and father, focusing on mindset, learning new skills, building resilience, prioritizing well-being, and embracing lifelong learning.
The Learning Dad Blog isn’t about achieving perfection; it’s about making progress. It’s a commitment to continuous learning, celebrating the wins (big and small), learning from the stumbles, and actively building a life where family, purpose, and personal growth thrive together.
Ready to start designing your best dad life? Start Here:
- The 10 Pillars of Intentional Fatherhood
- What First Time Dads Need (They Thought They Didn’t Need)
- What To Do With My Child’s Money: Here are 5 ideas
- How Can Family Life Impact Work?
Author
Jed Chan
Jed is the author of The Learning Dad Blog. He is a passionate learner who lives in Cavite, Philippines with his wife, Lalaine, and two kids, Joab and Jrue. Learn more about Jed.