Sunday, June 9, 2013

Being A Modern Dad


Please Welcome Our First Honorary Guy

Bob Aycock





Drum roll please……The Disney Gals are over the moon excited to be able to introduce to the world our very first Honorary Guy as part of our Disney Gal O’Hana.  It takes a real man to become a Disney Gal and Bob Aycock is definitely the perfect guy for the job.  Bob is the kind of big brother, friend, pal that every gal secretly wishes they had.  For those not lucky enough to already know our new Guy, Bob comes from Charlotte, North Carolina and is husband to his beautiful wife Jennifer and father of three of the cutest Disney kids around.  He was honored to have been selected to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration conference and was a Round 3 finalist in the 2013 Disney Parks Mom’s Panel search.  We are so excited to have Bob join our family and hope he will be the first of many Honorary Guys to come.  Be looking for Bob’s articles on a monthly basis.  Welcome Home Bob!







Being a dad in today's world is much different than it was twenty or even ten years ago. Not only do we have the regular duties of providing for our families and raising our children, but we have to carefully navigate the diminishing line between work and family life. We now have to monitor the online reputations and social networks of ourselves, and those of our children.

Modern technological conveniences can actually be very time-consuming and distracting. As a the website coordinator for an independent school, I am responsible for the school's website and social media channels, ensuring that the school, students, and staff are portrayed in a positive manner online. This leaves me checking my work e-mail and social updates and mentions on my iPhone far more than I need to. Even on the weekends.

My wonderful wife has been asking me for months to spend a day 100% disconnected and unfortunately, I have yet to do that. While I do not go around answering my cell any time it rings, I do, however, stay connected more than I need to. I will never abandon my kids during playtime or my family during dinner to take a call or check my e-mail, but I will admit that I need to spend less time working when I leave the office.

Although my bad tech habits may keep me from giving my family my complete and undivided attention at times, I am able to use today's tools for good. Our oldest son loves to read interactive stories on my iPad and play educational games that my wife has on her iPod touch. Some of his favorites are from Disney Junior. We've downloaded numerous learning apps that help him recognize his letters and practice his reading and comprehension skills. And the best part is that he thinks he is playing games while he's actually learning.



Educational apps and games are great, but our children still learn the most from us. They eat up the knowledge we share with them at home, and are eager to hear what Daddy and Mommy will teach them next. I love seeing our 1-year-old learn new things, mimicking his older brother and our 6-month-old daughter just as interested in what her brothers are doing. The way we share William and Elisabeth's milestones with our family and friends is very different from when Robert was born. I share most of my pictures and the children's milestones on Facebook and Instagram, which makes it super easy for our relatives to keep up with our growing family. Social networks like these allow me to stay connected with my friends and their families as well.

With all of the fun and benefits today's technology brings, I do think it is imperative for modern dads to completely disconnect sometimes. Turn off the smartphone, power down your laptop, and just spend good, quality time with your family. Disconnect this weekend or sometime very soon, and spend more time hugging the ones you love.

Have a magical day!
Bob

9 comments:

  1. Gotta say, we are all guilty too in my house. Just keep enforcing the no-tech rule when we sit down for family dinners or when the grandparents are over. Great read Bob, wonder how many others see themselves in your words.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Kelly. Love that you enforce a "no tech" rule. It's important for us to set the example fro our children, and sometimes for other adults.

      Delete
  2. Thanks Bob for the great tips. You said what all teachers, including myself, want all parents to understand-that you are your child's most important teacher. Welcome to the family! We're thrilled to have you here!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you again for all of the kind words, Gayle! I am thrilled to be y'all's Honorary Guy. I hope more dads will join the Disney Gals. We appreciate all of the work that great teachers like you put in to our children. You help them learn and grow, which makes our teaching easier at home. :-)

      Delete
  3. Great post Bob and so very true. I can recall the first time I was sent an invite to join Facebook. My baby daughter was small and I was kind of appalled at the idea of spending any time away from her, especially trying to connect with strangers, LOL.. Fast forward to today and the opposite is true. Good or bad? Everyone has an opinion and I think a healthy mix is important and we all just need to find that balance.

    Have fun with the Gals Bob!

    Suz

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Suz! I've been involved with social media, in some form or another, for seven years. It has gradually come to take up more time in my life, however, if you find that healthy balance I do not think it is a bad thing. I've been able to connect with so many wonderful people, especially those of us in the Disney community, because of social networks.

      Delete
  4. Welcome to the Gals, we are glad you have joined us! Love your first article as the mother of two sons, one in Public Affairs for the Coast Guard and the other in the Air Force, we know how important it is to have that time with your family because before you know it they are gone! Enjoy them while they are with you and you can, they will remember it as they get older and still want to spend time with you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Judy! I am very happy to be here with you all. All of my children are young, so now is the crucial period for my wife and I to bond with them as we raise them to become the best that they can. I grew up having a close relationship with my immediate and extended family, and I know that it shaped me for the father that I am now.

      Delete
  5. Thank you all for the kind words! I already feel at "home" here with the Disney Gals, and I can't wait to share more with you all.

    Have a magical day! ºoº.•:*¨¨*:•.ºoº

    ReplyDelete