In June of 2016 I decided to stop talking about creating an opportunity for dads to talk about “dad stuff” and start Pints with Pops.  Each month since then I organize a monthly “gathering” for dads to get together and talk about what’s going on in their fatherhood world.  In addition to organizing the gathering I share one of my fatherhood stories from the past month with everyone on my email list.  My story from September of this year received a tremendous amount of positive and encouraging feedback so I decided it was time to bring my stories to the masses.  Below is the first email that went out in June of 2016.  I’ll post each of my monthly stories until I’m up to the present day.  I hope I can bring you smiles and laughter, things to think about, and the knowledge that a lot of things happen in fatherhood, good and bad, and that’s the way it’s supposed to be.

“Pints with Pops is an opportunity for fathers to get together and talk with other dads about their experiences of fatherhood; the joys and frustrations. 

Three months ago I became a father, welcoming Layton Francis to the world.  That was the most amazing experience of my life.  What I didn’t realize was how amazing his vocal chords were and that children aren’t able to comprehend what a parent is telling them at that young of an age (I hear this changes to “children choose not to listen to what a parent is telling them” as they get older).  This led to me realizing I have very little tolerance of crying and not being able to communicate effectively with him.  Voicing my frustrations to my wife in one ear with the baby screaming in the other wasn’t helping our relationship.  I decided I needed someplace to talk about how I was feeling otherwise it was going to be difficult for me to continue being a positive influence on my son.  I’m not one of those guys who can just suck it up and deal with it, I like to talk about things.  Thankfully a friend of mine was willing to listen and Layton is grateful for that.  This got me thinking about all the other dads out there though; I couldn’t be the only guy who needs to talk about the frustrations of fatherhood, could I?  I brought the idea of Pints with Pops up with several other dads I know in different stages of fatherhood (some even grandfathers) and also some moms.  The response was overwhelmingly positive.  So, here we are with the first gathering of Pints with Pops on the calendar. 

Many of you on this email I’ve talked with about Pints with Pops and of you I ask for you to show up and/or encourage a dad to come.  Those of you I haven’t talked with about this, I ask for you to have an open mind about the idea and either come and talk with others about being a father or encourage a dad you know to come.

The design and intention of this is to be extremely casual.  There will be no name tags, presentations, or a circle of us stating our names and that we’re dads.  Being a dad myself, I wouldn’t want something that formal.  In my experiences with other dads they prefer casual, laid back settings, so that is what this will be.  The expectation; however, is that if you attend you are there to talk about your experiences as a father with other fathers, not how the Packers draft went or how the Brewers are playing.  There is no time limit on the evening or expectation on how long you hang out, whatever you’re comfortable with is what is appropriate.  No RSVP is necessary. If you can make it, great; if not, hopefully we’ll see you at a future gathering.”