Celebrating Dad: Part 1 – Profile Of A Blogging NYC Dad

NYCity Mama approached some Dads whom she has been following in the blogosphere, and who have touched her heart, made her laugh, cry, and made her really appreciate all the things fathers do for their family and children every day. She felt it important to highlight these Dads, knowing that they are only but a few of many wonderful, loving fathers out there who are as dedicated, as hard working, and as committed to their role as she, and other mothers like her, are committed to theirs. Thus, the next few days leading up to Father’s Day will be a little different on NYCity Mama, for we are focusing on celebrating fathers and all they do. 

E. Payne is the author of the blog Makes Me Wanna Holler. NYCity Mama had the pleasure of meeting him and his beautiful wife and family not too long ago.  They are the kind and funny, and loving towards each other, and the kind of people one would be fortunate to have as friends.  Mama got a glimpse of this Dad in action, a moment she thanks them for sharing with her.  He is the first Dad being celebrated in this series and this is his story:

 

How many children do you have, how long have you been married?

I have 2 kids and I’ve been married a little over a year and a half. (My stepson is 13 and my daughter is 3)

When did you start blogging and what inspires you to blog?

I began blogging (this time) in February of ’08. I’ve had experience blogging dating back to 2005. I love being able to express myself creatively and being in charge of my own “publication”, if you will.

What did it feel like when the realization of Fatherhood hit you?

The moment being Dad was “crystallized” for me was when, on the day my daughter was born, I was holding her for the first time and I watched her open her eyes, tiny black orbs that searched aimlessly trying to make sense of the world she now belonged to. In that instant I saw how defenseless she was and how it was my job to protect and rear her. I was crippled by the awesomeness of the moment and rendered a blabbering, hysterical mess, but I was excited by it also. Also raising my son (something I had been doing as a surrogate for five years) suddenly “clicked” and made sense from that day forward.  

 

What does being a dad mean to you?

Being Dad is a privilege not a right. It means everything to me. It also means I’ve always got to bring my A game when it comes to my kids, even when I feel like playing a C game. This doesn’t mean that I kill myself to be perfect but I definitely do my best not to slack off.

What do you like about being a NYC Dad?

Being a NYC Dad has me on the cutting edge of everything just as it does for anyone else who lives here. I’m doing most of what I did before fatherhood and marriage, just in smaller doses and with much less frequency. Being in NY means I don’t have to travel to stay in the know, nor do I have to wait for the newest hottest latest in pretty much everything to trickle down to my town.

What are the challenges, the perks of living in NYC with a family?

I believe I mentioned the perks in the previous answer. The problem is coordinating, coordinating, coordinating, scheduling, scheduling, scheduling. Everyone (kids or no kids) is just as busy as you are in NYC which means every detail from the smallest to the largest must be plotted out. Sometimes it kills the thrill that comes with being spontaneous and it definitely forces me to be extremely creative when springing surprises on my wife

What is your favorite NYC experience as a family?

Favorite activities, eat out?My favorite NYC activities are going to Central Park (the skating rink, the boat pond and the great lawn) the Bronx Zoo, Robert Moses Beach, Fort Tryon Park, Brooklyn Museum, the Children Museum of Manhattan, The Museum of the City of New York, the Schomberg Center, etc. Our favorite eateries are Amy Ruth’s, Rack & Soul, Uno’s (believe it or not), Won Jo’s (Korean BBQ), and a whole host of burger joints.

What advise/recommendation would you give to someone wanting to visit NYC with their family?

I would say bring plenty of cash, map out your activities prior to arriving, but remain flexible to break out from your plans if necessary. If you know someone who lives here get them to take off from work to be your guide while you’re here. Oh and just because it’s from New York doesn’t mean it needs to be purchased. Definitely “all that glitters ain’t gold” here.  

If you could do anything through your blogging, what would that be?

I don’t feel the need to make much of an issue of my race or class on my blog because my goal is to show that race and class don’t matter when it comes to being (or striving to be) a good father and husband. If someone who isn’t African American, or African American women who’ve lost hope in African American men visit my blog and leaves feeling positive about African American men and their families then I’ve done my job.

To learn more about E. Payne visit his blog at www.makesmewannaholler.com.

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