Since Kindred Bravely is a company devoted to pregnant and breastfeeding women, we spend most of our time talking about the incredible things moms do for their babies. Today, I want to take a moment to talk about dads.

I learned a ton of things from my dad over the years: how to ride a bike, how to sneak into swimming pools, the best recipe for homemade waffles, and the joy of jumping waves. But what’s stayed with me the most is actually something I learned as his student, not his daughter.

My dad was also my high school English teacher, and he was fond of telling us, “There’s no such thing as good writing, only good rewriting.”

That mantra has been with me through college, my own teaching career, my journey into parenthood, and now my role as an entrepreneur. Instead of waiting for everything to be perfect immediately, I focus on improvement over time: doing the best I can with what I have and looking for ways to make it better the next time.

Through his actions, my dad also showed me what to look for in a partner, and the eventual father of my children.

I adore watching my husband play with our boys. Laughter rings out each morning as they play cars and trains on the living room floor. My heart swells with love as the three of them wrestle, make extensive Lego creations, or head off on a bike ride to explore the world. Our older son drags my husband off to the workshop to build contraptions, and they concoct potions in the kitchen.

And he models for our sons how to be generous and compassionate. From his example, I know they will grow into caring individuals who will fill the world with more love and kindness.

Whether you’re a dad, step-parent, adoptive or foster parent, guardian, or anyone else who cares for a child, thank you. Without you, it would be so much harder for the moms in your life to do what they do. You show our children how to be in the world: with your encouragement, you model generosity, gratitude, and bravery. 

Thank you, BraveDads, for everything you do!

Comment below to share what you're grateful for this Father's Day!

Be you bravely,
Deeanne