New Year’s Resolutions for Changing the Face of Fatherhood

New Year’s resolutions: making them can be a motivational blessing or an inevitable disappointment. Our City Dads Group organizers showed no fear when they offered up these ideals they hope to achieve in 2015.

Richard Owen, Chicago Dads Group: To write monthly emails to my newborn son.

Kevin “Spike” Zelenka, Las Vegas Dads Group: My biggest New Year’s resolution is to have more patience. As my sons get older, I see more and more of me in them, and I want to start showing them the man I want each of them to become.

Lance Somerfeld, NYC Dads Group: My New Year’s resolution is to be more selfish (the first few months) — meeting up with friends more frequently, hitting the gym more regularly, going to my own doctor appointments, and catching a few more movies/shows/concerts/sporting events — because once baby No. 2 arrives, my free time will slowly dissipate.

Jeff Tepper, Dallas Dads Group: For me, my New Year’s resolutions are about continuing to work on balance with respect to family, work and self in a world where time limitations are getting more and more hindering as life gets more complicated.

Victor Aragon, Chicago Dads Group: I want to be a better provider for my family. I’ve been unemployed since June and although I try to keep my spirits high around my kids, I feel like I failed them. The school system here is changing in a way that makes me second guess if I want to continue teaching. Every month we struggle to pay our bills and I just want to be able to sleep not worrying about what we are behind on. So I guess my resolution is to make sure my family has what they need and for them not to worry about our financial situation.

Christopher VanDijk, Denver Dads Group: To do better. In general. To do better.

Creed Anthony, Indianapolis Dads Group: My New Year’s resolution? To unleash my inner student. As a teacher, I always harp on the idea of being a lifelong learner, and I am, but this year I don’t want to stifle that curiosity. Oh, and world peace.

Ron Mattocks, City Dads Group: With my boys getting older and closer to manhood, I am really focused on spending more one-on-one time with each of them while also watching for opportunities to pass along whatever knowledge I can that will help them later in life. I know this should be my role anyway, but day-to-day life tends to make you lose sight. There’s not many years left where I will be able to do this.

Ryan Gross, Columbus Dads Group: My New Year’s resolution is to spend more time with my wife. Like so many growing families we get caught up in the grind — school, kids, work, housework. We spread ourselves so thin that it doesn’t allow for a lot of “us time.” It’s time we make that a priority!

Matt Schneider, NYC Dads Group:  I would like my family to spend more time thinking about others. We live in a bubble of school, homework, soccer/baseball practices, violin lessons, etc. We need a broader perspective on the world.

New Year’s Resolutions photo credit: http://my.englishclub.com