Filth, slurs, expletives, graphic mixed metaphors and similes oozing with slime. I’ve had them all hurled at me in comments over the last seven years. And some of them were even spelled correctly.
People that visit the Lab know that while we love to blog and to hang out in our forums, our primary work is video — over 800 episodes to date. As a result, our main source of comments is YouTube. There we get cursed at from time to time. An experience that can lead not only to despair about the civility of today’s youth, but also optimism regarding their creativity.
So while I appreciate your viewership, MerkinTime666, I’m left feeling a bit bemused when you characterize me as “retarted.” I don’t even remember being tarted the first time. And when you, goatmilk44, opine after viewing our experiments with a pregnancy simulation suit that, “I have fallen into a den of fags” (a personal fave), I wish you luck entertaining your diverse house guests.
The biggest problem with the YT trolls is not their grammar, however. It’s the fact that I sometimes allow them to take up way more mind space that they deserve. The vast majority of comments we receive on YouTube are kind, thoughtful, encouraging and even inspiring.
Most of the time it’s moms. Which is great. Sincere thanks, moms.
Less often, it’s a dad. And sometimes, it’s a dad that isn’t even part of the “dad blogging community.” Those are the gems.
Every time one of those dads leaves a comment, I’m proud because to a greater or lesser extent, when that guy enters into a public conversation about parenting, he is challenging accepted stereotypes. Am I hyperventilating when I assert that a comment on a YouTube video is a form of courage? I don’t think so.
That’s why I think that it’s crucial that we support dads every time they face down the trolls (external and internal) to join the online parenting conversation. Moms, goad your partners. Challenge them. Taunt them. Withhold sex. Okay, maybe not that. But nag them through forwarded posts and Facebook blog bombs and reward them richly when they follow through.
This re-enforcement is justified because every blog and video comment a dad makes is like an immunization (transition alert!). Every public comment becomes, in part, a tiny public pledge to be an engaged and active dad. Every word, even if it’s just to joke, hassle or kid the author — we’re like that — is another fortifying dose of immunity against detachment and the debilitating male gender roles of the past.
And speaking of immunizations (see how I did that?), why not start here and double down on goodness. By commenting here, dad not only gets a booster on the way to a healthy career as paterfamilias, but also automatically generates a $20 donation for Shot@Life, an initiative saving the lives of children in developing countries.
All he has to do is comment and the donation, enough to cover the cost of four essential vaccines, will be made by the United Nations Foundation and their sponsor partners. That’s because this post is a part of Blogust, a month-long Blog Relay for Good. I’ve taken the baton from Gina Carroll and will pass it on to Randi Zuckerberg. Your comments on those posts raise money as well, so I highly recommend you visit.
Shoot, why not give yourself a full blown NGOrgasm by commenting on every single post and raise over $600 in the process. Great posts have been cropping up daily and there are more to come.
By the way: MOM COMMENTS ARE WELCOME, TOO. Because we need a bunch, and like I said, brave and pioneering Dads are still a bit scarce.
And when you’re done with all that, kick back and watch a video or two. There is even some independent evaluation that our videos aren’t that bad.
Brandy Robertson on 
Adrian on 
Emmi on 
Vanessa on 
Todd on 
facebook 
twitter 
flickr 
This is awesome! Thanks for pulling it all together and making every comment count! Why send you an email when I can make a comment for $20 more to vaccinate a kid, right?!
Thanks you!
What else is there to say? Immunize.
Momcomment here, supporting brave and pioneering Dads. Great post!
K.
My husband recently read 50 Shades of Grey at the urging of his female co-workers (I have not read it) and I am >this close< to getting my husband to agree to write a guest post on my blog. Oh, the comments on "that" post would be epic, I think. Thanks for sharing this post and for giving me yet another chance to help make comments matter, Clay
Let me know when that post goes up. My comment will be the first in the cue.
I would read THAT for sure!
Thank you for your post today! You’ve earned your run and your glass of wine today
I’ve had my run, so I guess it’s time to pull a cork!
I couldn’t agree more, we need more dad’s in the conversation and in the motion to raise awareness and support of children across the globe! Keep up the great movement!!
Thanks, Lori.
This is a great cause! Thanks for supporting it and making a difference!
Hey Clay,
Sooooo glad to see a Dad in the Blugust Family!
We all can use a shotinthearm of uplifting ‘real’ comments eh?
And when my comment = a Shot@life then.. YAY for both of us!
Glad you stick with it despite the trolls.
So glad to be here! Yay for both of us. Word.
Hysterical post my friend. Written as only YOU could.
Glad we were both asked to be part of this.
The Dads rock it – couldn’t do it without y’all, despite what some may say
.
Hope you got a smile, ’cause I know you’ve been there. Glad to rep dads with you, my friend.
I’m not a mom or a dad, but I appreciate your work and am here to show that appreciation with good spelling. Also to say thanks for supporting Shot@Life!
Yes, we need to support dads in the parenting space! So happy to be part of Blogust with you.
Thanks so much for stopping by and for participating in Blogust.
Thanks for supporting this cause. I am off to watch some of your videos and snore at the trolls!
I dig this. Rock on. Cheers!
Great post Clay!!!
Love the blogging dad!
This s fantastic.
Thank you Clay for participating and helping children receive necessary their vaccines. Especially appreciate your comments concerning the importance of proper grammar and keeping our communication intelligible.
Too many years as an English teacher, I guess.
Not a Dad and not intending to give it a shot either. But willing to give others a shot at life!
Mom commenting – great to see a Dadblog! Thanks for supporting such a great cause.
Everyone remembers his first time being tarted. I have more trolls than commenters. I say karma’s going to be rough.
Well, maybe I do remember being tarted. Now I’m an outed tart!
I just love this! Sometimes ignorant comments are appreciated to keep the conversation interesting. Great post!
I’m so glad you were asked to be a part of this campaign. Yay!
Me, too. Gratitude!
Entertaining read, commenting for a good cause. Thanks!
Thanks for participating in Blogust. This is a great cause. Go dads!
Awesome. Thanks for doing this.
You are hilarious! I have recently had an increase in troll appearances on my own content and, I admit, I take it personal. Thanks for teaching me how to laugh it off. You rock, dude!
Lacretia, thanks so much for the comment. Keep trolls under bridges where they belong!
Funny stuff. In the spirit of playing devil’s advocate I’d argue that sometimes in challenging stereotypes we can give them more power over us than they should have. It is better to just ignore them completely.
I kicked back and watched the teen shaving video. It was good. But I think new shavers just like to try the old fashioned way. After going to all that trouble wears off I think a shaver with circular blades is the way to go.
I hear you. Mostly we don’t have time to think about what went on in the past, we just do what we have to. Thanks for checking out the video.
Give all kids a fair shot!
Thanks for the reminder to put the posts in perspective. I envy your “immunity” to it. The thing I find most troubling is having my 8 yr old son innocently searching some useful video and me having to quickly scroll through the comments to make sure they are kid-friendly.
YouTube is an open manhole cover when it comes to kids.
Love your post, thank you for committing to family and giving back to community. I will share this post with my husband as well as the rest of my network
Thanks for the laugh Clay! Count one more mom in the growing pool of not-douchey comments.
Liz
AKA Merkintime666 (I figured it was time to come clean. And sory abot my speling.)
I suspected as much!
this is great. so very happy to offer my “two cents” & more toward saving children!
Went ahead and created an account at DadLabs, still couldn’t comment. Oops.
Don’t have a kid, will never have a kid. But I liked the DadLabs Guide to Fatherhood. Most of the videos I’ve seen aren’t really that relevant to my life, but they’re fun sometimes, anyway.
Sorry about the probs over at DL. I think we *finally* have it all squared away. Thanks for finding you way here and for reading the book. I really appreciate it.
NGOrgasm very nearly killed me. But I suppose that’s the way to go, huh?
Thank you for doing this campaign, for doing your videos, for bringing more menfolk into the online parenting fold. It’s a team effort, and you’re one of the greatest leaders we’ve got.
Oh, oh, oh, I’m so glad you liked that one. Cheers.
I am only doing this because Nik is selling it on Facebook. Don’t know whether Ben has even noticed.
Where is that Ben guy? Too busy building the pizza empire!
He has pizza on the brain. We are very non-PC and call it “pizza tourettes”.
Hey. What’s wrong with Pizza Tourettes? I’m sure that some day the UN will be able to immunize for that. (See what I did there?)
Clay, I’m sorry the Mayor has been checked out for a while. It would help if DL was mobile-friendly.
Comments count in so many ways! The odd ones, the curve balls, the “what has this got to do with anything I just wrote” ones, they all matter-some in bigger ways than they ought to, for certain. But today, our comments count in the most significant way imaginable: by helping to provide a child with a much needed immunization so they can have a shot at LIFE! Sweet! Great post too btw. I now need to go get “re-tarted” to make the most of my Wednesday!
Agreed!
My husband may never be part of the digital conversation, but I will. Comments count. Doubly so in this case. Keep up the good work.
I am afraid of YouTube commenters. You get the label of “brave” just for facing them, in my book.
I hear you on the nasty comments taking more mindshare than they deserve . . . you are doing great work here and I wish you the best of luck!
Keep up the great work, Clay! I’m a longtime viewer of DadLabs and I appreciate that you guys challenge stereotypes. As a latecomer to the game (being a nearly 50 yr old first-time Dad), I often challenge – sometimes forcibly – stereotypes and accepted conventions too. Don’t even get me started on technology in the classroom…
Rob, I am really grateful to you for the longtime support you’ve shown DL. Sincerely, brother. Thanks.
Yay Clay! Great cause. And fabulous post. Damn trolls.
Daddy Clay! Oh how I miss being a part of the “dad blog community” over the last two years – I’m so glad that you are a part of this effort! I am eternally grateful to the community that you launched over at DadLabs and how much I learned in the first few years of my daughters life. You, my friend, are a pioneer and we should all hope to be like you! (Not just blowing smoke, I mean that!)
Keep up the great work!
You are the best, Rob Monroe. Thanks so much for the support. And congrats on all that has happened for you in the last couple years. Keep it up!
Love this, Clay!
Thanks for being such a huge part of engaging dads in the conversation about parenting. You’re right, it’s extremely important.
My wife runs a puppet regime on my twitter account. But I can manage to read a blog and comment for something this important. Kudos to you for being part of it.
This is fantastic — thanks for doing it. And for the vaccinations segue — pretty smooth.
is this on? commenty comment comment?
tryin’ to help out w/ the Shot@life benefit dealie. (also a dad.)
Thanks Andre! Sorry for the troubles Holmes.
Thanks to you and the rest of the DL crew for doing what you do. Great cause!
Thanks for hanging with us Bobjr.
If women withold sex from the menfolk, wouldn’t that lessen the menfolk’s need to be part of a parenting blog? Oh well, here’s a shot for life!
Keep you chin up dad and keep up the great work! You’re doing a good thing
Again, great post Clay! And excellent solution to the commenting issue. Well done, Sir. Well done indeed.
Many THANKS DadLabs for the positive difference you make in so many lives! Keep up the GREAT work!
Thanks, Mykal — and congrats again on your recent accomplishment!
Thank you for your post today! What an amazing campaign!
Loving all the Dad comments! Great post.
Great job getting much needed vaccines.
Congrats on the new site!
I am always thrilled to see involved Dads particularly in healthcare. And positive comments for a good cause!
Great message and thanks for supporting global vaccines! I haven’t had any name calling yet but will remember to take it all in stride when I do!
Nicole
I’m impressed with the cause, but mostly I’ll just be laughing at “I don’t remember being tarted the first time”. Thanks!
Great post, great cause! Love those mouthy, anonymous Youtube commenters… bumpkins all of them.
And you know what we do with bumpkins, don’t you? No, seriously, what do we do with bumpkins?
Great post. Great cause!
Way to go Clay. Glad to help.
I never really thought about how important it is to get my husband engaged in forums like this until you pointed it out. I know lots of dads who quietly go about the business of holding down their families, working hard to provide and being awesome role models to their kids…and being part of the parenting discussion will help others know about them too!
Great post and even greater cause!
Couldn’t agree more, Tricia.
Posting on behalf of my husband–a world class Dad. He’s too busy with the kids and the grandchild to devote his time to social media.
I am only a mom…but one who married the kind of man you talk about. Thanks for supporting such a great cause!
Thank you for your post! Good Job!
Great post! Hurrah to equality of the sexes! Stay loud and stay proud, Clay.
You are funny. So happy to be in this together!
Thanks for being part of the Blog Relay for Good! Working for a world where no child dies from preventable causes!
Great cause. Thanks!
I’VE FALLEN INTO A DEN OF WAGS!
I love this post! Glad to see a dad posting.
Thanks for blogging for vaccines. Like your warnings on transitioning!
I look forward to many future tartings.
Thanks Clay. Part of the fun of blogust has been reading the blogs of so many folks. It has been addictive. Great to have a Dad’s voice today. Thanks for your words and videos! Go Shot@life!!
Just arrived on this blog and I like your style! Thanks for being a part of the amazing blogging world helping immunize kids around the world. I love what Shot@Life is doing!
Brilliant. This is great, especially since DadLabs rock. And I don’t get paid to say that. I used to, but not much anymore.
What a better world we would have if there were more dads like you..
HAHA!!! Love your dad perspective…we definitely need more of you guys in the blog world! Thanks for giving blogging a shot (see how I did that???)!!!
I’m 100!!! I’m a 100!!!
Another mom blogger here – thanks for the great post and the good work blogust is doing.
No snide comments here. Thanks so much for what you are doing for Shot@Life. It is amazing what a few clicks can do!
Hi Clay, I just ran across this initiative and wanted to show my support, but is there any information on specifically who’s making these donations and why they care if someone leaves a comment? I don’t really understand it, and it’d be nice to have some transparency – it isn’t made obvious to me on the Shot@Life site. I’m honestly not trying to be a downer, I just wish they’d explain this clearly before I get all warm and fuzzy over something that requires no effort on my part. It seems too good to be true.
Hey, I can help answer this as I am one of the people who was part of putting this all together. Clay, hope that’s OK. The donors have requested privacy, but Shot@Life is an initiative of the United Nations Foundation http://www.unfoundation.org which aims to connect ordinary citizens with the work of the United Nations. The Shot@Life campaign specifically, is aiming to raise awareness, advocacy and funds for vaccines to be delivered to the 20% of the world’s children who still lack access to these life-saving tools. One of the things I’ve learned through this experience is that the power of awareness is just as important as funding. So as we all spread the word and get engaged by commenting and sharing with our networks, that awareness generation is matched with dollars to do the needed work on the ground. It’s a perfect marriage. And 100% of these funds absolutely go to pay for vaccines.
Hi Chrysula, thanks for the reply, and the awareness piece you mentioned makes sense, it wasn’t really clear to me at first. I guess if the donors are prepared to make the max donation then the awareness becomes a positive side effect, and can lead to more support in the future. I’ll be sharing this, and unleashing my inner troll on the rest of the blog posts, it seems like such a small amount of effort for $20 raised. Thanks for your work with this.
Thanks for clarifying, Chrysula. 100% pass through is so awesome.
Dad commenters rock! Thanks for allowing me to help Shot@Life through this comment1
I love this project!
This is a fantastic initiative, raising awareness, raising funds and making it easy for us mouse-potatoes to get involved and help out.
It should also encourage us to think – and discuss – the necessary education campaigns that should accompany such immunisation drives. There is still a lot of ignorance to be overcome, even in developed countries such as the USA, and unfortunately, we are now also dealing with the backlash of the covert operations in Pakistan that took place under the guise of vaccination campaigns.
Lots of work to do, but, as the famous proverb says, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”
Well said, Clay, and good job at not letting the negative comments get you down. Conversations are crucial in the quest to be better parents, so I thank you for continuing such important ones!
Comment!!!
Yes…well…these are nice digs, too! Love how responsive and ON IT everybody involved with this awesome Blogust Relay is! Carry-on!
You need to have tough skin. I’ve had some experiences with Amazon that are so nasty and hurtful. I think they are the worst because it’s not as if someone was reading my work there and made an offhanded comment. They sought me out to insult me. I just don’t get it.
Hey Clay, great post, here’s another comment
What an amazing thing this is… so simple!
This is a great message – both about dads being more involved and immunization.
How could anyone NOT comment? Immunise all the children!
Well said! I am happy to comment and try to help where I can.
Thanks!
Okay, admittedly, I am not a “Dad.” But I will ask the “Dad” (why am I quoting?) to comment also. After all, everyone deserves “a shot at life.” There I go again with the quotes.
It’s awesome to know and see the many faces that have contributed to blogust relay. I’ve been commenting just about everyday. The more comments the better ! Keep the comments coming
This is great, Clay. I vow to encourage my dad and other dads I know to comment. We need more dad pioneers like you! Thanks!
Thanks for the entertaining read and participating!
Love this. I will encourage all the dad’s I know. So amazing.
Seeing as how this is so easy to do, and according to the site, I can leave multiple comments for multiple $20 donations – I’m gonna leave another comment. I may do some other good things today, but this is probably the most efficient of them.
In fact, if it takes me roughly 30 seconds to leave a comment, I could spare an hour of my day and single-handedly raise $2,400!!! Hopefully I can spare an hour this evening or tomorrow!
Awesome and inspired.
Im a Mocha Mom and we support Shot@life and this blogust campaign! And this post was an awesome call to action dads. My husband is an awesome father to our son. I believe that it’s a direct result of the amazing dad that he has. Hurray to fatherhood.
Awesome! Thanks
I think commenting for immunizations is great. It is good to see more good coming out of the UN.
Love your post … sharing so my dad friends get a laugh and then hope they will comment!
Thanks for sharing and supporting Shot@Life!
This is a fabulous machine you’ve got working here. Keep up the good work.
I have some stay-at-home dad friends who will agree with you. I’m sure they’d like some more role models, etc.
Thank you so much for your insight, perseverance and for participating in this life-affirming program for our world’s children. Anyone would be proud to have you as a dad, and any woman happy to have you as husband & father of her children. Wish we could have billions more like you – committed, engaged, unafraid to speak the truth no matter who says what to whom
Thank you!
yay Clay! I’ll be over soon for that glass of wine…oh wait…darn.
We wish!
Thanks for contributing to and supporting this important undertaking. Now if we could just find a way to quiet the trolls, blogging might be a safer activity for those fainter of heart than you.
Hi Clay, I loved reading your post and your great big voice in the Dad-Blogosphere!
Thanks for being a part of Shot@Life and Blogust!!!!
Emily, I just feel really lucky for the opportunity. Man, what a morning.
I wonder if “MerkinTIme666″ knows what a merkin is. I suspect not.
He does, but decided to go with plugs instead.
Great post. Kudos to Shot@Life for introducing us to so many diverse bloggers. Not only do immunizations increase, but so does the (hopefully constructive and positive) conversation.
Unfortunately, trolls don’t seem to be limited to YT. I will be better able to laugh it off next time! Congratulations on a good post for a great cause.
Great post…increasing immunizations is such a valuable cause and life saving. I am so grateful that I was e-mailed about tShot@Life. I would welcome comment on my blog…
oh goodness! I stopped by for the blogust and nearly peed my pants laughing. Thoroughly entertaining. Thanks for joining the relay!
Glad to be your digital diuretic and immunization do-good depot.
Funny post and a fantastic cause. Thanks for today’s cyber smile.
Thanks for your post. I agree that Dads need to be more involved with both parenting and online activities. Many would be surprised at what their kids and the peers of their kids are saying/seeing online! Appreciate the knowledge that you forge ahead despite the nasties that are out there.
Cheers to informed parents!
There is hope and a kind of beauty in there somewhere, if you look for it. luxury gift
Great you are part of Shot@Life blog relay. I find my YouTube commenters most frustrating when they ask a question and I feel compelled to do a Google search to answer it for them. Why don’t they cut out the middle man and Google themselves? Now controlling my compulsion to spoon feed
I know. How do they manage to search YT, but can’t navigate Google?
Is this where I comment? Hopefully this adds another $20.
Yep. You did it!
Great post and a great cause!
Here’s a nice comment, so you someone can get an essential vaccine!
Great post! Love those smooth transitions! Go get’m, Papa Bear!
Thanks for the great work
way to go, daddy-o!
great post, even better cause =)
Dads are awesome, too. Thanks for the reminding us that they can and do do their part in the parenting world.
What an innovative idea for a great cause! Thanks for being an engaged dad… in the blogosphere, but more importantly, at home.
Great post! Here’s another $20 towards vaccines! What a great cause!
It has been a joy to watch Dad Labs change and grow over the last few years.
I’m so pleased that you have chosen to be a part of this Shot@Life endeavor.
Thanks for the great post!
Glad to add to this great cause! Keep up the good work.
Thanks, Brad.
God bless us all.
Okay, the ‘den of fags’ thing must be new, because I’m hearing it all over the web now. For some reason I’m picturing Buffalo Bill’s hole with the Queer Eye guys at the bottom armed with a bunch of makeover products. I think I need to get my imagination in check.
With that, thanks for doing what you’re doing for immunizations.
I hyperventilated a bit at the thought of my husband entering *my* world…mine, all mine!
There’s no risk in it. He won’t even tag me or comment on my FB posts. In fact, the one and only comment he’s ever left on my blog was on my Blogust post. Immunized!
I get it, and feel like that, too. My wife is the non-SM person in our fam. Probably a little like how my teen feels about me being his FB friend.
Give life and immunize.
Thank you for a wonderful post and for being part of this great cause. Every 20 seconds children die of very easy preventable diseases that can be prevented with a vaccine.
I’m always happy to see a good dad blog, wish there were more! It’s nice to read a dad’s perspective. This is such a smart and easy way to raise $$ for a great cause.
~Kelly
Great shout out for all of the quality dads in our lives. I’m glad to take [a small] part in such a wonderful cause. Thanks for an inspiring read.
How wierd that Dads have an opinion on parenting whodathought!!! You are a wonderful addition to this cause.
Carry on!!
Commenting for the kids! Thx for your contribution to the cause.
On my occasional visits to Youtube, I’ve seen a few comments that are uncalled for, nasty, or just useless – thank goodness for the positives – a much better focus! Thank you Clay!
OMG “I don’t even remember being tarted the first time.” I nearly wet myself I was laughing so hard!! Thank you for the post!!!
When we had our kids Dads were only allowed to go to work and come home to kiss the kids good night and maybe read a short story. (he was allowed to teach the girls to fish!). I love the changes that have taken place and sites such as Dadlabs have led the way.. Good work
Pretty sweet. I specially liked how you moved from the rants on YT to the immunization and shots@life you’ll be providing with this post!
You’ve earned your glass of wine (so sorry it won’t be the one I sent you as the bottle was returned to me today… broken)
I’m glad to hear that you liked the post, but devastated about the wine. Did you send it to me? You probably sent it to DadLabs. I knew I should have updated that address. My bad. And now good wine has suffered for it. Alas.
Dads kick ass. I’m so glad all you dad bloggers are out here representin’.
Great post.
Great organization…glad to support them!
Thanks for acknowledging this reality: “When [a] guy enters into a public conversation about parenting, he is challenging accepted stereotypes.” We NEED more men’s voices in those parenting discussions. Keep it coming, guys!
What a great post. And totally true! Keep up the good work!
And some of them were even spelled correctly.
And with that, I die.
Woot to your new digs, and thanks so much for #Blogusting!
Good work, Clay!
Great post! I once had a gap in insurance coverage and paid out of pocket for my son’s immunizations. $450 later and I felt like I’d done what I could to protect my child. Now, a simple comment is worth $20 and can help a child get immunized. Thanks for being part of Shot@Life campaign so I can help out.
Pretty amazing, right? I think about what we paid for my preemie son’s Synegis, and this blows my mind!
Loved this blog! And thanks for participating in Blogust.
Great read! Thanks for being a part of this amazing campaign, and for being courageous enough to stand tall amidst such powerful group of women.
Thanks for posting.
Immunization is a quiet, long-term process, much like parenting.
Glad to make this comment (hope I spelled all the words right).
This comment form says name is optional, but name is required after I push submit.
Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words should never hurt you. We have an obligation to give health to all children. Vaccinations are important.
Well put. I love the encouragement for dads to step up to the plate and join the discussion. I will force my husband, uh, cajole? Send him a link?
I’ll encourage him to stop by and comment. It’s nice to see a dad in the mix. And thank you for participating in this incredible relay for such an important cause.
As a dad, I’m grateful for what you are trying to accomplish through Dad Labs and your blog (which I discovered for the first time through Blogust). Thank you for all that you do, hopefully I’ll get inspired to do more than just comment. But luckily I can make a big difference simply by commenting.
Thanks for reminding us how much Dad’s worry about the health of their kids and for helping Dads around the world take care of their children.
Glad to see a Dad blog!
Here’s to saving one more child in the developing world!
As a non-daddy-blogging dad, I hope this comment is one more shot in the arm for the cause.
When our first child arrived, my wife and I chose to each take part-time work so we could share in the pleasures–challenges? what challenges?–of raising our daughter, and then our son, and then another daughter (and then some surgery to call it a day). Sadly, it was damn near pre-web days, so there was no Dad Labs or daddy bloggers to help me feel less isolated after another day of being the only father at the playground, only father in the playgroup, only father wherever I went during normal working hours. I knew I was engaged in something great and something very interesting, almost experimental, but I could have used some adult male company.
So thanks to you and your blogging colleagues for being there now for all of those who are making similar choices today. And, for sure, thanks for the blog relay contributions you’ve elicited.
LOve it! Thanks for giving us a chance to help save children around the world!
Thank you for being part of Shot@Life!
I’m hoping that additional comments count towards the total. I’m making a second pass through the calendar to catch a few days I missed the first time around.
I just love this idea so much so here is comment #2 for me!
I recently got back from a wonderful weekend in Ottawa Canada with an organisation that is near and dear to my heart. World University Service of Canada (WUSC) works to bring students from refugee camps in Africa and Asia to study in Canadian universities and colleges. I told everyone about Blogust and what a great fundraising initiative it is. What I wouldn’t give to find a generous donor to contribute to WUSC’s Student Refugee Program (SRP) in the same way! I am currently fundraising in my own small way for the SRP by challenging myself to run a half marathon in December and blogging about it here: http://21kforchange.blogspot.ca/
Communities, be it online or otherwise, coming together for a cause is just so incredibly inspiring to me!
Thank you, Clay, for taking part!