For the first time ever on APISS, the Woman of the Week is a Man, baby! DC Urban Dad is a hilarious and insightful local parent blogger, and he’s the founder of the best way for dads to spend a Saturday or Sunday – DC Dads on the Run. DCUD was cool enough to accept the nomination and submit to the APISS e-interview.
How long have you been writing DC Urban Dad?
First I want to thank you for bringing me on as the first ever APISS Man of the Week. It is an honor to be here.
I started the blog in December of 2007 as a way to broadcast to all my friends and family that we were expecting. I really had no idea how long I would be doing this. I think in Internet years I am in my twenties.
Do you write anonymously or publicly?
Little bit of both really. Most of my friends and family know that I am writing, but in order to protect my little Min-Kamp I try and shield my last name as much as possible.
What prompted you to put your thoughts & writings online?
It started out as a fun way to tell all the friends and family we had a new member of the family on the way. Now it really is a creative outlet for me. A fun way to express what I am feeling and what I am going through. I try not to take it too seriously. It has been a blast meeting different people and parents from all corners of the world. It really opens your eyes to different parenting methods and ways of bringing up your child.
Are you a SAHD, a working dad or a combo…and does this distinction matter to your readers?
I am a working dad married to a working mother. Not sure the distinction really matters to the readers. Parenting regardless of your work status is hard work.
Your daughter is beautiful. What is the best part of being her dad?
Thanks, I think so too 
. The best part of this is seeing her take in the world. Everything is so new and fresh. Nothing is boring. Everything can be come a toy. It is very refreshing to see. No matter how bad my day is, she makes it all go away.
What advice do you have for all the new dads that find you at 3am when up with a baby?
There is so much advice out there that it can be overwhelming to new parents. Everyone goes through these moments though. Everyone will be lost at one moment or another. But just try to relax and realize that no one parent is perfect. I am positive that even Dr. Huxtable had these moments too.
And then of course enjoy every moment of it – get a camera, get a journal, get a blog. Write it down, shoot it, film it, otherwise it goes by.
Tell us about DC Dads on the Run and how more dudes can join!
We started this around 3 months ago and still wondering where we are going to take it.
My wife joined a new mom’s group in the DC area (PACE – http://www.pacemoms.org/). We had a great experience (everyone will experience something different) and we have remained close with 4 other families.
Each Sat and/or Sunday the dads grab the jogging stroller and the kid and hit the road for a little Dad time. It is our time to talk about work, sports, raising kids, politics, you name it. We either head to Beach Drive in Rock Creek Park or Hains Point.
The response to 4 dads with 4 BOB strollers and 4 small kids is amazing.
We are looking for more Dads to join and even have some t-shirts planned. If you are in the area and up for it, just shoot me an email (dcurbandad@gmail.com) or leave me a comment on their blog. We would love to have you.
Thanks again for bringing me on to talk about being a DC dad.
