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Survivor Dad
Jason MacKenzie, Ontario, Canada
www.thebookofopen.com
From DADLY Dads: Parent of the 21st Century Copyright © 2018 Motivational Press. Reprinted with permission. By Hogan Hilling and Austin Dowd.
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I’m a dad of two girls. My girls and I have lived through the suicide of my first wife and their mother. I’m married to my second wife who is an incredible woman and is now the girls’ mommy.
After I conquered a destructive addiction to alcohol, I dedicated myself to live a life of service to other parents. I’m also the author of The DADLY Book of Open: How Cultivating Vulnerability Makes You a Stronger, Wiser and More Courageous Father. In my spare time, I enjoy everything kettlebells, road cycling, unicycling, reading, writing and recording videos. I’m also a Formula 1 fanatic.
Quote.
Vulnerability is having the courage to look in the mirror and be honest, and without judgment, about who you see staring back at you. ~Jason MacKenzie
What I do well as a dad.
I create an environment for my daughters where we think in terms of what is possible; embrace the idea of asking questions without fear of judgment, and provide a safe environment for open discussion in which we value each other’s opinions.
What I learned from another dad.
How important it is to show up and be present for my kids.
Lesson learned from my child.
How important it is to be actively involved and engaged in the life of my children and to live in the little moments of their short childhood years.
Successful fatherhood moment.
How I successfully integrated my current wife to be the mother of my children.
Dad I admire.
My best friend Dave, who showed me what it means to be a committed, active and loving dad. And the importance of teaching and establishing a strong set of morals and values to my children.
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Originally published in DADLY Dads: Parent of the 21st Century Copyright © 2018 Motivational Press. Reprinted with permission.
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Photos courtesy of the author.
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