Brian Connelly works as a full-time university administrator and a part-time (life) coach. He lives in Osaka, Japan where he is raising his daughter! Every Dad of the Week answers the following questions, read on to learn more about Brian and his family!
- What was your first reaction when you found out that you were going to be a father?
- I was ecstatic. My wife and I both planned to and were trying for a year. There was even the possibility that she couldn’t conceive, so it was unbelievable (in a good way!)
- When you knew you were going to be a father, who or where did you turn to for advice?
- My own parents first. They weren’t especially helpful. Then my in-laws. They were less helpful. The most helpful people were actually friends who had been dads for awhile.
- How would your kids describe you as a dad?
- Funny, silly, stinky, sometimes angry (but she knows I always love her).
- What has been the biggest challenge you have had in being a father?
- There are two that tie: keeping finances in order and trying to balance pursuing my dream with being a good father and husband.
- Looking back on your life as a father, what would you change if you could?
- I would have gotten my shit together a lot sooner, and really tried to create some financial stability early on so I could focus on more important things.
- What do you do for fun with your children?
- I talk to my kid a lot. She’s a big talker. I tell her the Lord of the Rings story (yes, the entire trilogy. No not verbatim from the book). We’re on our fourth retelling of it and I get better and better. On weekends we go to the park and throw the frisbee or sometimes just run around.
- What advice would you give to other dads?
- Always always always continuously remind yourself that a) you love your child and b) your child absolutely adores you. Yes, they suck at showing it but deep down, they do, and all they want is your love.
- How have you come to balance fatherhood and outside life?
- When I’m with my child I’m there 100%. That’s the only way I can really feel happy enough to enjoy the time that I do have to myself. And don’t forget to make time for the wife, too.
- What have been the most memorable experiences that you have had thus far as a father?
- So many… I think very recently it’s the ones where I’m seeing her independently make good choices, like cleaning up her drink after she spilled it, or offering to help, or showing concern for the well being of others (I got my first vaccination shot recently and my daughter was considerate enough to not punch me in the arm, at least that day).
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Congratulations Brian!!!