Welcome to Portraits of Fatherhood: We’re telling the story of today’s dads.
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There is no better place to witness the changing roles of men and women in the larger culture than through the lens of parenthood. But rather than speculate on what and how contemporary fathers do what they do, we’d like to bring you portraits of the dads themselves. In their own words. Would you like to be interviewed for this feature? See the end of the post for details.
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NAME Bruce Bogart
AGE 42
HOMETOWN / WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW? Potsdam, NY
NUMBER OF CHILDREN One
WORK Special Education Teacher
RELATIONSHIP STATUS Separated, waiting for divorce to be finalized
HOW DO YOU COMBINE WORK AND FAMILY?
I am very fortunate. I am a teacher at my son’s school. We get to ride to school together and even eat lunch together most days. School vacations and snow days are no problem.
HOW HAS PARENTING CHANGED YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL?
Parenting has made me more disciplined as an individual. I realize the importance and value of maintaining a consistent routine and expectations.
WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS AS A PARENT AND WHAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES?
My strengths lie in my patience, humor and kindness. My weakness is wanting to be a friend to my son as much as a parent.
WHO ELSE PROVIDES CHILDCARE FOR YOUR CHILDREN?
Occasionally grandparents or friends, he sees his mom every other weekend and in the summer it will be every other week so I will have a little more time to myself then.
WHAT IS YOUR WORST PARENTING MOMENT?
The day I had to tell my son that his mom wasn’t going to be there when we got home and that she had left with another man.
WHAT IS YOUR BEST PARENTING MOMENT?
Watching my son develop into a kind and caring individual. I love it when I see bits of my character come out through him or when someone compliments him and says how kind he is and what a good boy he is.
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We’re looking for a few good dads.
IF you’d like to be interviewed for this feature, please write to Lisa Duggan at: [email protected]
Please write “Portraits of Fatherhood” in the subject line.