GeekDad

This blog is now moved

Chris Anderson — 2007-03-21T09:25:24-07:00

We've moved GeekDad to an official Wired blog, which has just launched. Please subscribe to that one instead. This one won't be updated.

A "daddy blog" bubble?

Chris Anderson — 2006-04-05T13:50:11-07:00

The Wall Street Journal spots a hot new trend, of which I fear we're a part: daddy blogs. Here's an excerpt from their roundup of some notable ones. (There are plenty of others, including GreatDad, that are just getting started):

DADDYTYPES
Daddytypes.com

Lots of parents keep blogs, but "daddy" bloggers have carved out their own niche within the blogosphere. "Daddy" blogs gripe about the same ups and downs as mommy blogs, but from a male perspective, so you might find more posts on cool cars as well as restaurants where the men's room has a changing table.

Daddytypes offers content from which all parents (moms included) can benefit, including product reviews, links to articles, and helpful hints (such as where to find sales and coupons for kids' stuff).

Written by Greg Allen, a documentary filmmaker and screenwriter, the site also offers a fair dose of quirky commentary. For example, a recent post delved into critical analysis of the popular Australian children's show "The Wiggles": "Lately, of course, the Wiggles find themselves stretched thin personally, and they're trying to shore up and extend the brand in an attempt to avoid a bleak Rolling Stones-like future of endless geezers-in-turtlenecks world tours."

• REBEL DAD
RebelDad.com

This blog aims to "put the stay-at-home dad trend under the microscope." Written by Brian Reid, a writer who works largely from his home outside Washington, D.C., Rebel Dad reads less like a personal blog and more like a data source on parenting. Posts discuss articles and flag recent studies on topics ranging from "mommy wars" (working moms versus stay-at-home moms) to the merits of minivan ads. The site also has a useful "statistics" page with links to relevant census data and other reports.

For those looking to connect with other dads, Mr. Reid links to SlowLane.com, a networking site for stay-at-home fathers.

• METRODAD
MetroDad.typepad.com

Urban hipsters unsure how to adapt to their role as parents can check out Metrodad, where Pierre Kim (who describes himself as a "public policy analyst trapped in the body of an Asian-American fashion executive"), recounts the dilemma of trying to raise a well-adjusted child in New York City while retaining his "hedonistic" lifestyle.

Mr. Kim's often-cheeky posts include insight into his evolving relationship with his toddler daughter, as well as humorous slice-of-life observations. "One of the things I really love about America is the fact that we're not afraid to deep-fry anything," he wrote recently. "I thought I'd tried everything but, on Saturday night, we went to Fix Restaurant [in Las Vegas] and I had deep-fried Macaroni and Cheese. It was amazing!"

Mr. Kim also contributes to dad-themed blogs Rice Daddies (RiceDaddies.blogspot.com) and dadcentric (www.Dadcentric.com).

• CYNICAL DAD
CynicalDad.blogspot.com

Those seeking ironic relief from the lovey-dovey mush that dominates many parent sites can check out Cynical Dad, which takes a "humorous and cynical look at parenting." Updated regularly, titles of recent posts include: "Because It's Not a Birthday Party Until You're Performing the Heimlich Maneuver" and "My Daughter Wants her Daddy Dead." Cynical Dad links to other sites that take a humorous look at child care, including It's Not All Mary Poppins (DayCareDaze.blogspot.com) and Grumppopotamus (Grumppopotamus.blogspot.com).

This could be our freaking manifesto

Chris Anderson — 2006-02-18T20:36:02-08:00

Quoted (naughtily) in its entirety:

Top Ten Reasons Geeks Make Good Fathers

1. LEGOS. The Geek is really more of a Man-Child than an adult. In their minds, they are still 10. They freakin' still love to play with their legos, and have never grown up. I have one friend, WHO WILL REMAIN NAMELESS, that still has legos in his room. He doesn't have kids. Just legos. Of course, my children love legos and Steve will lovingly spend hours playing legos with them.

2. VIDEO GAMES. Due to the whole Man-Child thing as stated in #1, the Geek loves video games. And he's good at them too. My husband is the hit of all the kids' friends because not only can he talk video games, he plays them too. If my children get "stuck" while playing their Gameboys and bring it to me for assistance, all I can do is feebly hold it and say " Mommy doesn't know how to play this." Daddy, however, can beat the game.

3. MATH. A huge plus here. No matter how old they get, Steve can still help with the math homework. My ability to be of assistance is going to last another few years before *I* end up throwing the math homework across the room in disgust.

4. SMART KIDS. Smart Geeks make smart children. Although for the most part, it's great to have really intelligent children, when your just turned two year old is using the word PREPOSTEROUS correctly, it makes for some difficult times as they get older. I literally spend a large part of my time scheming to stay one step ahead of my oldest child.

5. UP ON TECHNOLOGY. The beautiful thing about having a Geek for a parent is that you aren't wondering what your children are doing online. You *KNOW* what they are doing online and you can limit it if necessary. It's fabulous peace of mind.

6. SCIENCE FAIR PROJECTS. Children of the Geeks always have the coolest science fair projects. And you don't have to cajole your Geek into helping. You'll find him fiddling around with the science materials whether you asked him to help or not.

7. TOY ASSEMBLY. You will never, ever have to spend six hours of your life, that you will never get back, trying to assemble some 2,000 piece toy at 3 am on Christmas Eve again. The Geek can do it in minutes flat. Usually without the directions. Whereas I have tried to assemble toys and said "Mommy has to go to the bathroom" just so I could escape and scream into my pillow in frustration, if the Geek is around, he can take it right off your hands. I now just say "Daddy is really good at this, let's wait until he gets home."

8. GADGETS. Never again will you have to wonder what that new electronic toy is that all the kids have. In fact, your Geek will probably already own it. The problem arises when the Geek won't share with the children. "Daddy, I want a digital camera." After the child leaves the room: "I'm not spending hundreds of dollars on a digital camera for him, he's too young." I say "Let's get him a cheap one." Steve looks at me as if I just said Aliens are invited to dinner. " To have it take crappy pictures?" He scoffs and walks away in disgust. No sub-par electronics in this house! How dare I suggest it.

9. SMART IS COOL. Having a Geek for a father instills the message into your children that smart is cool. They idolize Daddy. Hopefully, they'll want to grow up to be just like him.

10. BEING IDOLIZED IS GOOD FOR YOUR GEEK. Course, you have to be careful that his head doesn't get TOO BIG. That's why I blog. Gotta keep his ego in check SOMEHOW.

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Chris Anderson — 2006-01-06T09:48:17-08:00

Hi. Come back in March and this should be an actual site.

In the meantime, check out ParentHacks