Name: Khiry White | City: Staten Island | Instagram: @Hipngoo

What does being a father mean to you?

Accountability. I have to have a plan. I have to have a strategy. I have to be prepared, and while doing all this I have to ensure I take care of myself in order to provide these things for my daughter. And I love it.

Describe your experience with your father growing up and how that impacted you today.

My father was present but very distant in his ways and physical presence. As I became an adult and father I understood why more so but also was able to position myself so that I can do things differently as much as I can with my own daughter and provide more of a impact more consistently.

What things did you take from your experience growing up into your own fatherhood journey?

Mostly I try to remember how I felt as a child within my relationship with my parents. How I thought about things and how I processed them in my adolescence in order to try and adjust my parenting towards my daughter and create more of a emotional fortress for her that my parents tried to provide for me. Taking their successes and hindrances and trying my best to parent to the best of my ability.

Have you had any obstacles on your fatherhood journey?

Time and distance are my biggest obstacles along with ( as most people may say) finances. I always have to try to plan my weeks as much as possible so that if I can move things around and accommodate more time to spend time with my daughter through the week I will. This is a huge obstacle for me that I want to get better with this year. I live in New York and my daughter lives in Jersey, not far but far enough. Money is the middle factor here because more money does assist in these areas but that also requires more time.

What advice would you give others new on their fatherhood journey?

Try. Effort I feel is what makes the biggest impact. Make your child know they’re a priority. Don’t become too discouraged or overwhelmed that it drives a wedge into your parenting or relationship with your child/children.

If you wanted to write a quick note to your father, starting with “Dear Father,” what would it be?

Dear dad….. I get it but I don’t agree. I’m going to be better, for the both of us.

Who are some fathers that you cosign?

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