Celebrate Father’s Day with Dads at Favor

Our Favor-ite fathers share their stories

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It’s time to celebrate the real MVPs (most valuable parents): Dads!

In honor of Father’s Day, we asked members of Dads at Favor — an employee resource group (ERG) that provides an open and vulnerable community where dads of all experiences can discuss their accomplishments and struggles — to share what they love most about fatherhood, their best parenting advice, and of course, their favorite (cringeworthy) dad joke.

Brunch and outdoor time with the family.
–Mark Becerra, Engineering Manager

I don’t know [yet] — it will be my first one!
–Steve Cprek, Backend Software Engineer (Partnerships)

I try to celebrate by not doing projects around the house and really focus on extra time with the kids. We try to go out or sometimes stay in and Favor breakfast, lunch, and dinner so no one feels the burden of making meals.

–Bucky Clarke, Senior Product Designer

Getting to see somebody grow up before your very eyes. How they change, develop, and mature every day is incredible — especially when you start to see them realize who you are and how much you mean to them. It just makes your heart melt and there’s no better feeling.
–Chris Rogge, Director of Brand & Creative

Seeing my kids grow and molding them to become better versions of me.
–Barel Alcantara, Data Engineer

Early on in my fatherhood, being a parent pushed me to see life through a whole new lens. That new perspective was extremely refreshing and honestly changed my life (in a good way). As my kids have started to get older though, my favorite part of parenting is just being able to observe their individuality evolve. It’s truly amazing to watch a child become their own person.

–Ben Knox, Software Engineer II

Growing up . . . we usually had a special breakfast [on the weekend]. It is very much the same with our kids, where we try to make breakfast together or have them help in some way. We also try to give Mom breakfast in bed while she gets some extra rest.
–Bucky

Some [things my father passed down] aren’t necessarily traditions, but values. One of the most important ones is being present. Especially in [this] day and age, it’s easy to become distracted or busy. Always being there for your kids and family, and having fun along the way, is number one in my book.

–Chris

Let go of all your expectations of what parenting “should” look like. Learning to adapt to the uniqueness of your situation and the uniqueness of your child is key. Change every single diaper that you possibly can. It builds character. Don’t let your baby-making partner take on all the mental load. Schedule your kid’s doctor’s appointments, keep up with their vaccine records, [and] research sleep strategies. Share all the responsibility of care.
–Ben

No one knew what they were doing and patience is the greatest gift you can give your child (and really, anyone you love).

–Mark

Try your best to slow down your daily pace, put the phone down and disconnect, then get down on their level to enjoy time with them. Everything goes by so fast, and if you’re preoccupied, you will miss your kids growing up.
–Bucky

Be very supportive of your partner. Take mental health seriously and be open to the huge change ahead. Enjoy the little moments!

–Barel

Work as a team with your spouse. Communicate, take turns, help each other out both physically and emotionally, be there physically and emotionally, and don’t feel like y’all have to do it all on your own. Starting out is tough — knowing that going in and giving grace and working as a team to get through it is so important.
–Chris

Just get through the first four to six weeks any way you can. Don’t worry too much. If the baby is alive, eating, and pooping, you’re good.

–Steve

Being a dad isn’t always just dad jokes and rough housing. There are a lot of gender norms out there for how dads should or shouldn’t react, and especially at the beginning, I thought I was failing because I didn’t fit into those [norms]. Being around other dads and hearing their experiences, both good and bad, makes me feel like I’m not a failure and there are lots of other men out there experiencing the same emotions and challenges I am.
–Chris

Being a member and co-chair of Dads at Favor has allowed me to reflect a lot, both on my father but [also] how I father my own kids. It also levels my thinking out a lot to know the struggles and challenges I am facing are not abnormal.
–Bucky

What’s your favorite dad joke?

What’s the difference between a hippo and a Zippo? One is really heavy and the other is a little lighter.
–Nick Schurk, SEO Manager

How many tickles does it take to make an octopus laugh? Ten-tickles.
–Bucky

Need a Father’s Day gift that’ll make any dad smile? From BBQ to brews, let him choose with a Favor gift card!

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