Category Archives: Best advice from dads

Life Lessons From Remarkable Dads

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“Don’t look back — you’re not going that way.”

—Chubby

Today’s post is a collection of life lessons.

My dad said lots in very few words. In one sentence he often said all. These nuggets of savvy I call “Chubby Rules,” named for my dad.

I’ve shared Chubby Rules with my sons for 25 years. Some were from Dad. Others I’ve gathered along the way. At Savvy Dad, we write stories about remarkable dads. What they do. What they say. How they impact their kids.

Today we do something unique. It’s a collection of lessons from an array of great dads. It’s a gold mine of savvy in very few words — modeled after Chubby Rules from my very own dad. Here’s an original Chubby Rule:

“Learn something about everything, everything about something.”

life lessons READ MORE 

Dig In Your Heels

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“If you can make it growing up with me, you’ll do just fine out there in the world.”

—Gerry Benedick to his son

Today’s story is from Matt Benedick.

A blizzard had just ravaged the state. Schools closed. Perilous roads. Everything froze, all covered with ice. Dad took me out in the cold on a long trek through the woods. We were alone, isolated deep in the trees. My hands became numb. Eyes started to burn. Legs ached. Feet froze. Cheeks were red as a plum.

Dig in your heels

Matt, age 4, and Dad in Bryce Mountain, VA

Silence. Dad said not a word. Neither did I. Complain? Yes, that’s what I wanted to do. But I knew my dad. I could sense, this was no time to whimper and moan. After a while I began to slow down. Could I go on? I wasn’t sure. But Dad was — we walked on.

At the crest, the sun bathed the mountains in pink-orange bliss. Suddenly Dad stopped, standing cold still. Truly, you could hear the snow melt in the glistening mountaintop sun. That’s how quiet it was.

My name is Matt Benedick. This is a story about my dad, Gerry. READ MORE 

Dolly Parton – No Patience for Pretense

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“Always be a first rate version of yourself and not a second rate version of someone else.”

—Judy Garland

Story from Dolly Parton’s autobiography, ‘My Life and Other Unfinished Business.’

That silly preacher picked the wrong day to bother Lee Parton. His daughter remembers it well. Lee was “sweatin’ and a’groanin’ tryin’ to get a stump out of the ground.”

Dolly Parton's album, First Gathering

Parton’s first self-produced album

That snooty ol’ preacher? There he was in his starched collar, grinning at Lee over the fence. “This particular preacher wasn’t much of a help to anybody. And he seemed to show up only when he was out beatin’ the bushes for money,” Lee’s daughter, Dolly, recalls. (Yes, that Dolly Parton. This is a story from Dolly’s autobiography about her very smart dad.)

At the time, Dolly was around five, and the Partons were poor as dirt, but rich in pride. They were coming up, too. Dolly’s dad worked hard to provide. READ MORE 

‘Cats in the Cradle’ — Harry Chapin

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“You should live every day like it’s your last day ‘cause one day you’re gonna be right.”

—Ray Charles

Savvy Dad recently interviewed musician, activist, and mom Jen Chapin.

“My child arrived just the other day.
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay.”

You know the song… “Cats in the Cradle.”

“Cats in the Cradle” was a #1 hit for Jen’s dad, Harry Chapin.

What few people know… It was a poem written by Jen’s mom, Sandy. “Mom and dad’s relationship was based on sharing poetry and ideas,” says Jen. READ MORE 

Hunting with Dad

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“Life all comes down to a few moments. This is one of them.”

—Charlie Sheen

Today’s story is from Elisabeth Hirsch.

Dad and me. Side by side. On our bellies. Beneath us, a massive valley. High on a ridge above Salt Lake City — and freezing.

hunting with dad

Elisabeth and her dad

He rousted me from bed at 4 AM. “But Dad…,” I protested.

“We’re going hunting,” Dad said.
“Coffee’s waiting.”

Hunting with Dad?

We had just moved to Salt Lake from the small town of Price. Dad got a new job. I got my first job. I didn’t like the big town. City life seemed complex for no reason. I longed for the simplicity of Price. This was not a good time in my life.

Hunting with Dad? READ MORE 

400,000 Remarkable Dads

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“I found my prince. His name is Daddy.”

by Greg Hague

Since 1997, the children of Illinois have written more than 400,000 essays about their dads. The subject is “What My Father Means to Me.” It’s part of the Illinois Fatherhood Initiative’s annual Fatherhood Essay Contest.

My friend, David Hirsch, founded this project and was kind enough to allow Savvy Dad to share three of the best from the pen — or crayon — of three special kids, word for word.

remarkable

“What My Father Means to Me”

From David, 1st Grade:

“My father is the most important man in my life. He was loving, caring, thoughtful and cool.
He had a lungs disease that made it hard to breathe. But that did not stop him.
He used to bring my sister and I to the park. He sat at my side while he helped me learn my ABC’s, count my 123, and teach me how to read. He used to call me Bud-Bud. READ MORE 

How Fathers Change Lives — Whatever It Takes

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“It is much easier to become a father than to be one.”

—Kent Nurburn

by Greg Hague

Enjoy your life? So do I. Janie Hite, too. Any doubt?

Janie Hite

Janie almost perished just after entering life. She’s with us today because of her dad. John Hite rallied in the middle of the night. He did what dads do:

Whatever it takes.

Here’s Janie’s story… “My Dad Has A Special Appreciation for Living”

Tomorrow we’ll share a story about 400,000 remarkable dads. It’s on what their kids wrote in an essay contest called, “What My Father Means To Me.”

Here is an example from Jessica, 1st grade: READ MORE