Being a father is difficult, being a distant dad can be even harder. Luckily, there are great resources to guide our efforts and inform our parenting decisions. One source is TED.com, a curated treasure trove of short video presentations from some of the most interesting and learned people on Earth. Amongst the 1000s of talks on their site are some powerful presentations on parenting. The following six videos are particular favorites of The Distant Dad Project, and we hope you will find them to be as inspirational as we do:
1) ONE PHOTO AT A TIME
https://www.ted.com/talks/steven_addis_a_father_daughter_bond_one_photo_at_a_time#t-198880
I am a huge proponent of traditions as a way to create bonds between generations. Steven Addis has a unique tradition that freezes time and helps him reflect on how he and his daughter change physically and emotionally through the years. Use this example as inspiration to take an active role in consciously creating positive memories for your family.
2) ON LETTER WRITING
https://www.ted.com/talks/lakshmi_pratury_on_letter_writing#t-232966
Lakshmi Pratury remembers the lost art of letter-writing and shares a series of notes her father wrote to her before he died. Her short but heartfelt talk may inspire you to set pen to paper, too. As you will see, the physical letter creates a link to their shared conversations.
3) MY DAUGHTER MALALA
https://www.ted.com/talks/ziauddin_yousafzai_my_daughter_malala
Malala’s father shares the parenting experiences that may have lead his 10 year-old daughter to become a global force for change. Hopefully, none of you have to parent under these conditions, but the extremes can help us identify changes we may make in our own lives. “Why is my daughter so strong? Because I didn’t clip her wings."
4) VALIDATE OR CURE?
https://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_solomon_love_no_matter_what/up-next
"Love is something that ideally is there unconditionally”, but what about acceptance? Writer Andrew Solomon looks at what it is like to raise a child that is different from you in some fundamental way. How do we decide whether to validate the difference or try to change it?.
5) PRISON DANCE
https://www.ted.com/talks/angela_patton_a_father_daughter_dance_in_prison/up-next#t-507935
Angela Patton shares a powerful program to help young girls and their fathers stay connected, and what happens when they invite their fathers into their lives, on their own terms. Why is it important? Because “our daddies are our mirrors."
6) MAKING A GOOD LIFE
Before you can help your daughter be a happier person, a father needs to understand where happiness comes from. You can probably guess the results of this study, but what does it really mean for your life? What is the impact of relationships on your health, memory, and physical pain? Get yourself happy and be the shining example your daughter needs in her world.
Please let us know if you enjoyed these talks and do not forget to pass this information to other Distant Dads that could use some encouragement. Thank you!