Name: Eric Brown City: Orlando FL | Instagram: @ericbrown1990
What does being a father mean to you?
Being a father to me means being the overall mirror that my children can look at and learn from. Being a father also means they I’m the first point of contact that my children will experience in regards to manhood.
Describe your experience with your father growing up and how that impacted you today.
I didn’t have my father growing up. I actually talked to him on Father’s Day of 2020 for the very first time. I grew up with my mom in Chicago and my older brother who were the core parts of my development and growth.
What things did you take from your experience growing up into your own fatherhood journey?
Well, with me having two sets of twins(boys) and a 3 year old daughter I will say I definitely took on the perspective of being their guide and their first teacher in life. I also will say I had to learn the art of patience and really mature alot because this is still a journey for me and there isn’t a manual of how to be a father because each child has their own personality and their own giftings. The last thing I would definitely add is I took on being accountable and I’m learning that the mistakes of my parents taught me and saved me years of trouble in raising my own children.
Have you had any obstacles on your fatherhood journey?
Definitely much so. The main obstacle I have had was learning how to be committed to the process of Parenthood. I was a wreck when my first twins was born but through the process of learning from others, prayers, and a support system I was well able to manage the new journey. Another major obstacle was learning how to manage my children’s emotional and mental well being. It was definitely an experience that was leaving me baffled.
What advice would you give others new on their fatherhood journey?
The advice I would leave with others on their fatherhood journey are understand your children’s personality, be their first teacher, and use discipline as a method of training them through their mistakes.
If you could write a quick letter to your father, starting with “Dear Father,” what would you say?
I know we are just getting aquatinted with each other however I’m glad I know who you are so I can learn from you, study you, and grow with you. As much as you’ve missed there will be experiences we will create that will change our perspective on life and each other. Don’t feel ashamed that you missed years of my life because in the process of time God knew what he was doing and his timing was the perfect time to connect us back together. You will always be my father and I will always be your son, so therefore let’s move into the future and do life now and live with no regrets and no fears of the past.
Your Son,
Eric Brown
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