During the month of June, NFI plans to Celebrate Father's Month! That's right, month. We think dads deserve more than one day! During June, we will get to know NFI dads and learn how to celebrate fathers more than one day. Meet our first NFI dad below:
Name: Chris Brown
NFI Team: Executive Team
Number of kids & ages: 2 girls, ages 17 and 14
What's the lamest gift you ever gave your dad? I honestly don’t remember.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever received about fatherhood? Don’t project your consequences on your children. This means you shouldn’t expect that the consequences of your children’s behavior will mimic or result in the same consequences as similar behavior that you engaged in (e.g. I did “x” and it didn’t result in a bad outcome; therefore, if my child does the same thing it won’t result in a bad outcome.)
What's a good day to you as a dad? When I see a teachable moment and use it to engage one of my children in a meaningful conversation that teaches them an important value, moral, or lesson.
What's the one thing you always carry with you? Wallet
What's one thing you wish you could do more? Play golf and go on physically active vacations. My idea of leisure is to be active.
What man most changed your life? Gilbert Kushner. He was one of my graduate school professors at the University of South Florida.
He challenged me to think and write creatively, to trust my intuition, and to challenge myself professionally unlike any teacher I’ve ever had.
What's your most memorable moment as a dad? It would probably be cliché to say the birth of my children. There are so many memorable moments.
The moment I’ll choose is the time soon after we acquired our first rescue dog. My youngest daughter was only 2 years old. We were playing together with the dog and somehow startled the dog. The dog accidentally cut the face and eye of my daughter. There was blood everywhere.
Fortunately, two EMTs lived a few doors down. I rushed my daughter over there and they quickly bandaged her head and took us to the hospital.
To thoroughly examine my daughter, the emergency-room physician and nurses had to tie down my daughter on a papoose because she was so upset and thrashing about.
Fortunately, the physician determined the dog had only scratched the inside of her eyelid and not the eye.
During the time we rushed her to the hospital and the doctor examined her, all I could think about was how guilty I felt for allowing this to happen and prayed her eye would not be damaged. I felt incredible relief and gratitude when I learned she was okay.
My daughter still has a scar over her eye that reminds me of that moment.
What’s one thing your dad always taught you? In an inadvertent way, to be there for my children and family.
At this stage of fatherhood, what do you most look forward to as a dad? Seeing my girls grow into mature, compassionate, successful women who will pursue their dreams and interests.
Remember, dad deserves more than one day!
Wondering what to get Dad for Father's Day? Instead of adding to his tie collection, give a gift that will make a difference and celebrate his impact in your life.
