In Response to: We Need to Quit Telling Lies on Facebook

Have you guys read "We Need to Quit Telling Lies on Facebook" on Raising Kvell yet? If you haven't, get on that right now. It's a 10 minute and read well worth it. The writer, Sarah Emily Tuttle-Singer,  raises some very interesting points and IT'S ABOUT DAMN TIME SOMEONE SAID IT! I've considered writing a similar post about 500 times but figured I'd be chastised by the blogosphere so I'm glad someone finally had the gall to do it.

I could not agree with her more. I instagram, Facebook and blog-post about my kid on the regular and every photo is this adorable, angelic, whimsical moment eating breakfast at the coffee shop, building a foam-block tower or making a painting together. I never write about chasing her around the coffee shop saying "Stop! No! Don't do that!!" and feeling embarrassed in front of everyone or the times she asks me to play with blocks or paint and I say "Not right now" or "I'm busy working". Like Tuttle-Singer said "Let’s be real: Parenting is ridiculously hard." and by pretending it's this always-amazing perfect thing we're blatantly lying to everyone. I'm not saying we need to post photos of tantruming children on  instagram or say "My kid is a brat" on twitter because jesus who wants to see that but a little brutal honesty wouldn't hurt sometimes. Infact it would do a world of good to other parents reading it knowing they aren't alone in the struggle and difficulties of parenting.

Sometimes when I post a photo of Sierra on Facebook I get a comment along the lines of "WOW! You make me not afraid to have kids!". And to those commenters I say: Be afraid! Be very afraid! Don't get me wrong, having a kid is the best and I truly mean that. It's a special kind of unconditional love but it's also really difficult and trying. Sometimes you lose your temper, sometimes you don't want to play, sometimes you don't want to wake up at 6AM and dress an angry jelly boned tiny human. So don't be fooled by mommy/daddy bloggers' instagram feeds, including mine, it's not all rainbows and unicorns - it's really hard but it's also really rewarding. I wouldn't change my life for the world and I feel lucky every single day but I agree "We Need to Quit Telling Lies on Facebook".

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And with that I feel Inspired by Sarah Emily Tuttle-Singer to give you my "IRL Morning" with Sierra from this morning:

My alarm went off at 6:30 AM and I realized I had Sierra's fist in my face. She has her own room and her own bed but at some point during the night she decided to wake up and come into our room like she does almost every night. I'm all for co-sleeping but sometimes when your child is lying "H is for Hell" style its not so great.

I decided I cared more about sleeping than starting our daily routine on time so we ignored that 6:30 alarm… and the 7:10 one… and finally got up for the 7:30 one. Soon after I woke up I posted these pictures:

Cute right? A sleepy little baby and a cute outfit. This actually happened, my kid is super cute and so are her outfits but what i didn't mention on my Instagram caption was that 2 minutes after this photo was taken I had to try and dress a half asleep 3 year old who was telling me "No!" and going all "no-bones" while trying to swat me away like an annoying fly. She was angry I woke her up and I was annoyed because we were running late and I didn't have time to fight her into a pair of jeans. It wasn't fun or cute but we made it through. I won't bore you with the rest of the morning but you get the point. 

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When discussing the original Kvell blog post with Lauren she said:

 "It's good. However, I'd hate for Sierra to grow up and find posts upon posts about how difficult she was. I'd like to preserve the smiling moments, keep it real that it's tough, but I don't need pictures of her tantruming to remind me." One of the mommy bloggers said the other day "we choose our focus" and I liked that."

And I like that too. So I leave you with this photo & quote from one of my fav parenting bloggers Kelle Hampton:

(Photo / Quote by Kelle Hampton I'm just borrowing / sharing: Follow her here: http://instagram.com/etst)

-Craig

Heartwarming news of the day!

Sierra's 5 year old cousin got the new heart she needed!!

Read the article here and watch the news clip here:

Hipster Dad Approved Valentine's Day Cards

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

We made a Pinterest board of "Hipster Dad Approved Valentine's Day Cards". Will add more throughout the day so check back later too :-)

-Craig

MOMS on DADS: Darlene O of the "Tales of a Young Mamma" blog!

Hi guys I'm Darlene from youngmammatales.blogspot.com I'm honored today to be here today to talk a bit about an awesome dad in my life, my baby daddy, Drew.

Drew and I started dating senior year of high school, after being friends since 5th grade. It became pretty serious and I ended up transferring out to Denver to be with him Soph. year of college. 

When I got pregnant, he was a 19 year old college kid, with no thoughts to being a dad anytime soon. Even though we had been together for 2 years, I still didn't count on him sticking around to be a father. I didn't want to tie him down at 19. I gave him an out, many, many times throughout my pregnancy. And he never took it. From the day he found out he was going to be a father, he 100 percent stepped up. He switched to a full time job to support our son and us, while going to college full time. 

For the first 3 years of Jasper's life, Drew worked 50+ hrs a week, was in class another 18 and still managed to be a great dad. He was up with me for middle of the night feedings, diaper changes, park and playdates, doctors appointments, he was there through it all. 

He found a way to make our dream of studying abroad in Sweden happen, with our son. Countless people told us it wasn't doable with a child, that they wouldn't be able to find proper housing for a child, and he kept pursuing and making it happen. He Never gives up on a dream.  And he is teaching our children to be the same.

He is the dad who gets up with our son and lets me sleep in while he makes us a huge breakfast on a Saturday. He's the dad who knows all of his sons teachers and friends names and goes along to every birthday party. He is the dad who actually plays at the park, not only with our son but somehow gets all the other kids involved as well. He is the dad who hasn't missed a single soccer game in the two years Jasper has been playing. He is the dad who won't stay for happy hour after work with everyone else because that would mean not being home to tuck his kids into bed at night.

Now that we have a daughter as well I can see how much he has changed even more for the better. Having a son, and now a daughter has made him become such a loving, caring person, and they are so lucky to have him in their life.

Thanks for letting me share a little bit about one amazing dad, can't wait to hear all about the other great dads out there!

The best story of entrepreneurship I've heard in a while.

Disclaimer: This has nothing to do with being a Dad but like I mentioned a few months ago I wanted to open the blog up to be about anything and not just daddy-stuff. So here we go…

So as some of you know, I'm a graphic designer at an agency here in Boston. One of the clients I design for is everyone's favorite office supply and printing store: Staples. Well Staples Headquarters is in Framingham, MA and it's massive! Tons of buildings, parking lots and people. One of these people was an intern who wasn't making much money and just going to work every day waiting for a promotion to come along.

At Staples HQ there is a great cafeteria for the employees but the coffee selection is sub par to say the least, just the 'brew and let sit all day' kind of deal. Well the intern I mentioned is big on coffee and saw an opportunity. He applied for a small space near the cafeteria to stick a cart and when he was approved he quit his internship and opened up shop pedaling great coffee, tea and espresso to Staples' hundreds (thousands?) of employees every day.

The cart is super successful and after my first Iced Americano I had there the other day I can tell you it's also super delicious. It's called the "Espresso Minute" and if you ever find yourselves at Staples HQ make sure to swing by and grab a drink.

When one of my coworkers told me the story of the little coffee cart it just made me feel so happy that someone could go from a low paying internship to owning their own succesful business in such a short amount of time. On top of being successful the Espresso Minute has endless opportunities for growth whether it's other offices, a food truck or even retail locations. So just wanted to take a second to say "Hey Espresso Minute guy, Thanks for giving me a happy success story to cheer up my day and thanks for the caffeine! You rule." 

-Craig

MOMS on DADS: Kate Foley Hardage

Hi everyone. Craig here. As a precursor to a post that we hope to be the first of many, I want to introduce you to a new feature we're calling "Moms on Dads". As you may have guessed, it's Moms talking about Dads. This can be their own Dads, their baby daddies or any Dad that's ever had an impact on their life - good or bad. If any of you want to contribute and gush about your man, discuss your fathers role in your own life or even just brag about an awesome Dad you know drop us a line atTheHipsterDad@gmail.com!

Thanks and without further ado here is Kate Foley Hardage...

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Hey everyone. My name is Kate and I know Craig through his baby mama. My firstborn is four months older than Sierra, so we’ve gone through a lot of the same things at the same time. My usual haunt is Four is the Magic Number, where I usually spend time writing about the day to day happenings and milestones with my two little boys, Dex and Kiery. However, today I wanted to take some time to write about the other boy (um- I guess I should say man) in my life.

Logan and I pretty much put our relationship on fast forward from the start. From the day we first hung out, we pretty much lived together, were pregnant a month later, and two weeks before our bundle of joy arrived we were married. Being unmarried and pregnant at 22 (he was 25) was pretty scary. However, from the first moment when I told him there was a possibility of a baby in our future, he was all in. Five years ago he spent most of his nights behind a bottle of alcohol, most of his “outdoor time” was smoking cigarettes, and he lived in a house where three of the four stories were inhabited with a bunch of guys that shared interest in those pastimes as well. If you knew him now, I don’t think that would be how you would picture him at all. He has gone to every doctor’s appointment, every baby class, and being a great father and husband is always at the front of his mind.

He works hard. He works often. He is the Assistant Manager at a local coffee shop and is greatly invested in its growth and future, and also lives the closest which means he is pretty much always on call. He puts in his barista hours behind the bar, but is constantly running numbers, doing paperwork, checking in on employees and running errands. I couldn’t even tell you the number of hours he works a week. And yet- he still finds the energy to be a stay-at-home dad two and a half days a week with our three and a half year old and sixteen month old. (We are so lucky and grateful for all the help we have had to have both of us able to work full time and not have the kiddos in daycare). He does most of the grocery shopping, many of the errands, often has dinner ready when I get home, and more often than not, shows up at my work with a treat of some kind. He does art projects with the boys, takes them to the playground and teaches them how to respect women. He sleeps five hours at night, spends nine hours with the boys and then goes into work for the night. While balance is not always had, there is always a lot of love, and he does it 99.9% of the time with no complaints.

I think that things are hard for all parents right now. We are figuring out our “roles” in a society that has greatly changed in the last thirty years. What was true for our grandparents is definitely not the norm anymore. This means different things for each family, and it means that each family looks a bit different from the next. I can only speak for myself and my own family and say that a lot of our success comes from lots of communication, working hard pretty much all the time, and being a true team. (Yes, we even have a team name). I am so lucky and so grateful for the dad I have as a father to my children. As a woman, I look at him and other men like the Hipster Dads here and know that we have great role models for our children, and I couldn’t ask for more. 

Tuesday Tunes

Hey sorry we haven't blogged much the past few weeks! Everyone has been super busy with work, family and all that stuff. Silly life ruining our blog! Anyway just doing a quick Tuesday Tunes post... Been on a serious hip hop kick all week so this feels appropriate Atmosphere's "She's Enough" - Enjoy. -Craig

Tuesday Tunes!

So we haven't posted in like two weeks because A) We were pretty burnt out after posting every day for 12 days with our "12 Dads of Xmas" series. and B) We had the holidays to celebrate duh!

But we're back on the grind with a few posts in the works and of course our weekly "Tuesday Tunes" series. Anyway enjoy this weeks songs and if you want to listen to all the songs we've ever picked you should subscribe to our Spotify Playlist!

1. "Jamestown" by The Movielife -- It's 2013 everybody and what better way to celebrate than talking about music from 10 years go in 2003? The Movielife's "Forty Hour Train Back to Penn" is one of those "all time favorite never get sick of it" albums for me. Every song on it is so good you just want to jump up, pump your fist and sing along (or cry) no matter where you are. Put this on in your car and thank me later. -Craig



2. "Cameage" by Descendents  -- This week I chose one of my top 5 favorites tracks of all time. I grew up on the Descendants and will always listen to them. I first heard this track on a cassette tape I picked up from a local music shop in my hometown, Taunton, while out skating one afternoon. The only reason I bought it was because they were on SST Records, same label as Black Flag, Sonic Youth, and Bad Brains, so I figured it couldnt be half bad. This led me to slowly acquire their whole discography, the only thing that held me back was the amount of money I brought in on my paper route, and the condition of the deck I was skating at the time. Their music evolves as you follow their career and they even write songs about having an "adult job" and eventually growing up, even though they said they don't wanna! As an outcast skater kid growing up in the suburbs, this connection to the outside world and affirmation that there were kids like me out there was crucial. Man, do you remember the days when shaving half your head, piercing your face, dying your hair, and riding a skateboard ACTUALLY WAS THE COUNTER-CULTURE? I do, imagine all the chicks I would have scored had I been that teen, in this year? Ah well, it just helped form the anti-mainstream, jaded adult that I am today! -Michael



3. "Long Way Down" by Sam Means  --  In a whirling circle of parenting bloggers and social media sharing of hip parents I found Sam Means' solo stuff. These tunes are fun and make me tap my foot on a Tuesday at my desk creating some new illustrations. I usually skip over the one very touching song for his daughter only because I don't want anyone in the office to think I'm soft ; ) ...even though I am - Don




4. "Will Do" by TV On The Radio -- I found out about TV On The Radio from a writer on ESPN named Paul Shirley who was a bench warmer for quite a few teams in the NBA and I listened to his recommendation for "Wolf Like Me" and couldn't stop listening to them.  I chose this song because it is Eila's favorite and it calms her down and we listen to it before bedtime. But The video is amazingly beautiful, emotionally haunting and the video plays up the lyrics of the song which is what music videos are supposed to do. -Andre

"12 Dads of Xmas" DAY 12: Nick Miserendino

1. Why don't you start by introducing yourself to our readers (Name, Kids, Occupation, Location?)

My name is Nick Miserendino, I have one step daughter Pella, she has changed my life from the monent i met her. she always makes me laugh and has stolen my heart. My 9-5 job i build hot rods and race cars for Nelson Racing Engines. On the side i am a partner in Wargasser Speed Shop where i do all the prototype and R&D on all the motorcycle parts we manufacture and sell. I live in Somis, Ca

2. When does "the Holiday Season" start for you?

The holiday season starts for me the day after thanksgiving. I hate shopping in person so i do most of my shopping on line. We usually make a day of setting up the christmas tree and lights. I dont really like hanging lights but i love spending time with my girls so it puts a smile on there face which makes it all worth it for me.

3. What do you and your family do to keep the magic of Christmas alive?

Well to be honest i'm pretty horrible at keeping the magic of christmas alive. My wife does a great job of doing that and involving me as much as possible. We always take Pella to see the christmas light around the neighborhood. we also make her help set up the christmas tree and train that drives us crazy thats underneath the tree.

4. What's your favorite holiday movie?

Mine is that Christmas story because i had a red rider bb gun as a kid.

5. Is there anything you always wanted for Christmas as a child and never got?

To be honest not that i can remember, I was an only child and pretty spoiled as a kid.

6. Holiday Tree or Christmas Tree: Real of fake? Discuss.

Christmas tree for sure. Real theres nothing better then that christmas tree smell when you walk into the house.

7. Do you have any unique holiday traditions? 

Hmm unique holiday traditions... im not sure how unique it is but on christmas morning we open presents from youngest to oldest. 

8. You recently became a step dad (Congratulations!!). What do you feel is the most rewarding part and also the most challenging part of this very big step in your life?

Thank you, The most rewarding part for me is getting to be a part of this little ladies life, she is the most amazing child i have ever met and everyday i cherish the time i get to spend with her. She has a way to always make me laugh and smile no matter how hard of a day i have had at work. Theres nothing i enjoy more then hanging out with her and just being her friend. The most challenging part of this step in my life is just doing the best I can to be a good husband and partner to my wife and good step father and role model for Pella as she grows up. 

Follow Nick:

Instagram: WARGASSERNICK

Blog: http://wargasserspeedshop.blogspot.com

Website: http://www.wargasser.com

"12 Dads of Xmas" DAY 11: Craig of The Hipster Dad

1. Why don't you start by introducing yourself to our readers (Name, Kids (How Many / Names), Occupation, Location?)

My name is Craig Silva and I am 1/4th of The Hipster Dad. I have one daughter named Sierra who is amazing, energetic, strong willed and as sharp as a tack. In addition to a beautiful daughter I also have a beautiful domestic partner. She's everything one could ask for in a mother and I feel so lucky that she's my babies mama... She's also the best vegan chef ever and I feel very lucky about that too. By day I am a graphic designer at SapientNitro and by night I do freelance design work, run this blog, run a small record label and any spare time goes to making art so I don't feel too badly about spending a ton of money on a fine arts degree.

Sierra is quite the fashionista.

Top row = Us in our non-parenting party days. Bottom = Us dropping Sierra off at daycare.

2. When does "the Holiday Season" start for you?

Like most people it starts to feel like the holiday season to me right around Thanksgiving. It's when i start realizing I should probably start Christmas shopping and start living in fear of the day that house decorating AKA light untangling begins.

3. What do you and your family do to keep the magic of Christmas alive? 

Magic isn't real guys, sorry to burst your bubble but to keep Christmas happiness alive it's all about friends and family for me and I do my best to see as many as possible during this time. We have a few Christmas parties and then of course Xmas Eve and Xmas day. On the eve we go to my parents and on the day we go to hers - but we still do Christmas morning at our own home just the three of us.

4. What's your favorite holiday movie?

Muppet Christmas Carol. Hands down. I've loved it forever and it's just so funny, cute and the songs are amazing. Sadly, Sierra isn't a fan yet but I plan on working on that.

5. Is there anything you always wanted for Christmas as a child and never got?

Not to sound like a spoiled brat but I always got everything I wanted. Ok so I was a spoiled brat - sue me. My parents are not well off by any means but they always went without for themselves, worked overtime and did whatever they had to do to make sure my sisters and I were happy. I will always remember everything they did and continute to do for us. Thanks Mom and Dad!

6. Holiday Tree or Christmas Tree: Real of fake? Discuss. 

Well I'm torn. Growing up I always had a fake tree because my mother is alergic to pine so the act of taking the branches from the box and snapping it together with my father will forever be a memory I hold near and dear but since moving out I have switched to a real tree. Mostly because I never had one and wanted to see what all the hooplah was about and partly because Lauren is a big real-tree kinda gal. I will say the feel, smell and act of choosing one is pretty awesome but I could go either way.

As far as calling it Christmas or Holiday I could really care less. I personally call it a Christmas Tree but I don't give a what if City Hall calls it Holiday tree. Mostly I just wish the radio / TV / people in general would stop making such a big deal about what we call it.

7. Do you have any unique holiday traditions? 

Every "Christmas Eve Eve" we have a small party called "The Night Before the Night Before" at my parents house. I've been doing this for probably 10 years at this point. It's my parents, myself and a small group of my friends. I've always loved it it's sort of the 'calm before the storm'. It's nice to just have a small, quiet get togethert with people you really love to be around. 

(Also to anyone attending this year this is the official hash tag #TNBTNB2012)

Besides that our only other big thing for us is that we do Christmas morning just the three of us in our own home. It means a TON of driving between Boston, New Bedford and Franklin over 48 hours but it's totally worth it in our opinion!

8. So what started out as a blog with two friends sharing experiences of fatherhood and everyday life has grown really quickly within the last year. You guys have added two new Dads and connected with countless othewrs. My question for you is where would you like to see THD grow and maybe give us a couple of hints for next year? Also what has been the most exciting thing about sharing so much of yourself on here?

I am super excited about how THD has grown in the past year. As you mentioned Michael and I added two more full time contributors: Don Naylor and Andre Brown - two of my best friends and also two of the most amazing fathers I know. I'm so happy they decided to join as both offer such a new perspective and insightful input into the world of fatherdom.

In the next year I would love to see THD grow in both contributors and readership. We have a pretty steady reader base now but the more the merrier! In addition to just growing in content creation and readership I'd love to offer more than what we do now. I'd love to do more 'weekly series', product reviews and video stuff. So keep an eye on the blog and we are MORE than open to any ideas you may have or request for what you as a reader would love to see us do! -Craig