Let’s Be Real – This Is Us – Yes or No Dads?
Let’s Keep it Real – This Is Us – Yes or No Dads?
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I used a highly scientific method of gauging the results documented in this blog post.
I posted to Instagram asking dads whether or not they watch This Is Us and why or why not.
The results overwhelmingly in favor of This Is Us as a good and positive show for dads.
There were a few who had never watched the show, and one who doesn’t watch TV at all. I get that, I don’t really watch a lot of TV anymore either.
Why Do I Care If Other Dads Watch This Is Us?
For a long time, fathers have been painted in a not so great light.
Generations were taught that dads were seldom (if ever) around to spend time with their kids. Even if they were around it was still mom’s duty to care and spend time with the children. Moms are still thought of as the comforter and consoler when it comes to parenting.
Someone must have forgotten to tell Izzy (my daughter)
Dads are supposed to be thick skinned and rarely show emotion. If dads did show emotion it was only to discipline the children through fear and intimidation.
There were a couple of generations that saw a decline in dads being available to their children even a little bit. Fortunately, I believe we are seeing this less and less now.
Single mothers are more often praised than dads are. I won’t knock single moms. It’s a tough job. I was raised by a single mother. I know all too well that it is a tough job.
We need to do a better job lifting up good fathers.
What Does This Is Us Have to Do With Being a Better Dad.
This Is Us is a very real show. It deals with real issues. Issues that you or I might face in our lives. Some of the very important topics include:
- Addiction/Substance Abuse
- Parenting
- Foster Parenting/Adoption
- Relationships
- Health Issues
- Racial Issues
We all deal with these issues indirectly or directly. For this blog post, I am going to only talk about parenting and relationships.
Watch This Is Us on Amazon Prime Video>>>>
Relationships 101
This Is Us runs almost the full gamut of relationships. There are the matriarch and patriarch, past and present. There’re also their children past, present and future.
Through the show, we get to see the interactions of siblings and how difficult situations are handled amongst them.
We get to see how something that might seem inconsequential at the moment can have a long-lasting impact on the person’s wellbeing and future.
We also get to see how “real” relationships should work.
Anyone who keeps it real will tell you that no marriage or long-term relationship is perfect. You go through ups and downs.
What makes a successful marriage or long-term relationship is compromise, understanding, and patience.
This Is Us is very good about showing real challenges couples face, how they handle them and the potential outcome.
Parenting 101
None of us are perfect parents either. Jack (patriarch) was as close as it gets, but not without his faults.
He had an addiction problem. He may have been a little too passive with his daughter’s eating problems.
But he loved his children (even the adopted child) with every ounce of his being. He did everything he could to give them a great life.
He encouraged them. He was patient with them even when they did not deserve patience. He taught them life lessons. He loved them in a way only a dad can.
Through the parenting of his children, they grow up to be great parents or aunts/uncles. Again, they each have their own issues.
Randall overcompensates at times mostly because he was adopted. He also has a nervous breakdown plus there’s mention of another one earlier in his life. Randall is an amazing father to his daughters, and a foster daughter.
Kevin has an addiction problem. He does not have children but is a great uncle to his nieces. And his nieces adore him.
Kate is extremely obese and struggles with health and self-esteem issues as a result. Like Kevin, she does not have children but is a good aunt.
Watch This Is Us on Amazon Prime Video>>>>
Spoiler Alert
The show is not without tear jerkers. Every week something tugs at your heart. If you deny this then you have no heart.
This week was the start of season 3. This is one of the few shows my wife and I enjoy together.
Again there was some dust in the air while This Is Us was on. I don’t know why that happens every time This Is Us comes on.
The first episode of Season 3 focuses on the beginning of Jack and Rebecca’s relationship (it definitely did not start off well).
It also focuses on the relationship between Randall and his foster daughter (Deja). He wants to adopt her and give her stability while she is dealing with the fact that her biological parents don’t want her. Not an easy thing for a teenager to deal with.
And Kate & Toby are trying to get pregnant but struggle because of their own health issues, primarily Kate being overweight.
There are of course other smaller storylines but those are the biggest ones for episode 1.
At the end of the episode they again fast forward to an older Randall and one of his daughters discussing going to see “her”. His daughter is not ready to see “her”. Then Randall calls Toby who is in a bed alone. Randall tells Toby it’s time to go see “her” and Toby begrudgingly agrees.
I suspect it will be a while before we find out who “her” is.
I do not plan to write every week about This Is Us. The purpose of this was to highlight how dads can/should/do play a bigger role in their children’s lives today.
Dads Are Important!!
I spend a ton of time with my children. When I am not with them I cannot wait to see them. I am far from a perfect dad or a perfect husband, but I love them with all of my heart.
100% of my energy goes into making them outstanding children that get to experience the best childhood possible. I also work on strengthening my marriage all the time.
This Is Us puts being a great dad on display with all of a dad’s imperfections and mistakes. Jack and Randall both show how you can overcome any obstacle to give your children all the love and guidance they need.
This Is Us helps fathers be better fathers. At least it does for me.
What do you think of This Is Us?
This was a cute breakdown of the show and how it serves its audience! Nicely written!
Thank You
My husband thinks This Is Us is too cheesy for him. Most men do not act like that. In fact, if my husband said some of the things Jack says, I’d ask if he were drunk. But Jack is a sweet character and yes, dads are important! My husband just isn’t that kind of dad.
Well to be fair Jack did have a drinking problem..lol. It’s not for everyone but I think it helps Dad understand/realize it’s OK to be this way.
What a great article to read! I am really agree with DADS ARE IMPORTANT, I salute all the great fathers.
Thanks for recognizing the great dads of the world!
This Is Us is a great drama, but I’ve always thought it was a lot more. You just listed all the reasons that I’ve loved the show from the start.
It really is a lot more. It’s everyone’s life! It’s so good the other networks are trying to copy it now.
We love the show and my husband really enjoys it. Yay for Dads!
Yes, Yay for Dads!
This review makes me really want to watch This Is Us and I will have to binge it soon!
Go for it!
Dad’s are great and so are mothers I watched only the first season I think and then stopped. I need to go back to it though.
I haven’t heard about this show before. Glad to know that there is some show which is actually teaching something good about parenting and things like that. Great review of the show.
I’ve never watched the show but I am wondering about it now. I might have to sit down and watch it with my husband 🙂
We haven’t watched it yet but I heard it is amazing. I think we will binge on it this weekend!
Love this show and love this post! This show really does paint a different picture of what dads should be !
Agreed 1000%
NICE! I’m a huge fan of This is US! Very good post and it gives a different perspective. Everyone should definitely watch this show – even Dads!
Yes, parents, aunts, uncles, husbands, wives, grandparents, everyone.
A lot of people do underestimate the role of a Dad, they are always as important as Mum. They provide a different mindset for children to learn and face all kinds of life challenges. Keep up the good work!
Dads are more than important. I have no idea about this show but I am sure it must be great as it is on “DADS”. I am more close to my dad than mom. Cheers for all the great dads out there.
You sound like a fantastic Dad 🙂 Thank you for sharing your views on this show also, I appreciated reading them!
Thanks. I definitely have my faults but I do try to be the best dad I can.
I have not watched this tv programme but it sounds like a good show and you have broken it down really well. Going to see if I can watch it over here now!
I started watching this is us last week and it’s amazing! Jack seems like an amazing dad – even if he does have his issues..
We all have our issues! Yes, he represents what a good father should be.
I love This is Us for many of the reasons you stated. I also think Randall is an amazing husband, not without faults, but genuinely in love with his wife, respectful of her opinions and thinks she’s all that. I love watching them interact.
Yes, and he is awesome with his daughters too!
Well. I think I gotta let my hubby watch this. Sometimes, he is being mean to me. Well, I know in some parts of his heart, he has this soft spot. LOL. I just feel he needs some drama too.
Parenting is challenging task that you can’t call it quit. The most importantly is be there with the kids. I am glad to hear that you spend ton of time with your children as a dad, and thus show plenty of love. Just being there tell it all. Children will know and appreciate. I hope this post reach out to more dads out there.
This is sus is something that I and my husband would really like. We love dramas especially when it’s too cheesy lol.
This review really makes me want to share this show with all of the dads I know. Breaking cultural suppositions.
Exactly.
I’ve honestly never watched an episode. But when i heard of people throwing away perfecty good crockpots over this show, it kinda turned me off altogether.
I didn’t hear that. That’s crazy. I will take them if they don’t want them, along with Nike gear and anything else people foolishly throw away.
I watched the first few episodes of the first season….haven’t seen anything else of it. Heard its pretty good though!!
Wonderfully explained the essence. Looking forward to watching the show!
Loving your blog. Followed you on Insta.
Its a must to love your dad. If you a dad the same feeling should you feel towards your children and spouse.
Lots of couples in my family follow this show (husbands and wives—not just the women). I haven’t had time to watch it, but I know my family loves it.
I’ve never heard about a show before but sounds interesting and I want to watch it now:)
I’ve been wanting to see this and am trying to get my husband to watch it with me. It sounds like a really good show.
Love this. I’m always intrigued to hear more about what others think on a personal standpoint.
This Is Us is a great show highlighting the importance of dads. I’m still trying to recruit my husband to watch it. But several people I work with watch it (including men) find it a great show to watch. Can’t wait to see what questions are answered this season.
It’s nice to see that dads are seeing what I see. It’s an entertaining but thought-provoking show.
I couldn’t get past the first couple episodes of this show, not my style. Dads are very important
Dads are super important and play an intricate role in the lives of their children. I would love for more dads to be more self-aware and take action on their emotions that play out in their lives.