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.

 

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The first “Lets Be Real” Question for Dads Only. I am not going to lie. I think This Is Us is an incredible show. I also think it does a great job of modeling real-world problems for Dads and Husbands. And yes I do find that dust occasionally gets in my eyes while watching the show. I want to hear from other dads. Do you watch This Is Us? Yes or No and Why? #TheDadTax #LetsBeReal #ThisIsUs

A post shared by The Dad Tax (@thedadtax) on Sep 26, 2018 at 6:23am PDT

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?