I am so thrilled to see that I have had a couple of comments in my “Women Speak” section. I want to encourage all women to share your stories. Tell me what you think and what you feel. Your feedback is vital and needed.

I know that many of you have had men walk out…not be involved with your kids…flake…etc. I am so sorry for that and my heart breaks! My hope is that you will be encouraged and that you will see that there are men who are doing a great job.

We are all behind you and only want the best for you and your children! Please continue to communicate with me.

Thanks,

Gabriel

Thanks for joining me on the American Daddy website!

What started out in my heart as a book project has now evolved into a movement where men are being engaged and encouraged by others.

The American Daddy movement is bigger than my story, the guys in the books stories. It’s about your story as you engage and encourage, enable, and become the American Daddy!

Let’s take a walk on this path of life and fathering together!

Gabriel

P.S.

“Way to go dad!”

– Julian (9 yrs old)

The babies crying woke me up at 1:30am. It is very difficult for me to fall back asleep once I wake up. As I begun to count sheep my nine year old hopped in bed with me, it was now about 2:00am. My wife was nursing the baby at the time so it was just he and I. He told me that he didn’t feel well and that his stomach was hurting.

So, we went up to where his bed was and I tucked him in. The moment, which happened so fast, was he was praying to the porcelain God, if you know what I mean. I stood behind him and rubbed his back, telling him that everything was going to be o.k., as he took care of business.

We went back to his bed for the second tuck in. He asked me to pray for him and I did. As he began to fall into his sleep I just took a blanket and lay on the floor next to him. I was reminded, at that moment, that I was his comforter and his protector! I lay there like a watch dog making sure that nothing would harm my son. I know that nothing was coming at him but I felt really courageous laying there and watching out for him. I felt like a man and it was wonderful!

I would love to hear from you and have you share your moments like this. Our children need their Daddy’s!

This post is a continuation of our explanation of “Women Speak” here.

Just as Mommy is a vital part of any child’s life, a woman’s perspective is a vital part of American Daddy. I would love for all the Mommys out there to share their thoughts on The American Dad and how they and their Daddy are making a difference.

Please leave a comment below to let me know

Thanks.

– GP

Hey Friends,

American Daddy, A Father’s Heart Revealed continues to get strong media attention. Gilbert Bernal, one of the dads featured in American Daddy, was chosen to be on the cover of the June issue of LA Parent Magazine featured below:

A story on American Daddy, A Father’s Heart Revealed can also be found within the LA Parent pages. You can pick up a copy of LA Parent Magazine all throughout the L.A. area.

Jennie McCarthy was on last month’s cover so this is quite the accomplishment to be chosen and this is the 1st time, in many, many years that LA Parent is having a black & white cover.

Father’s are getting recognized for the amazing job they are doing. Keep up the great work dads!

I had the wonderful opportunity to share my story and provide helpful touchpoints geared toward single dads in the latest issue of Advance Magazine.

Being a single dad was one of the most amazing experiences that I have ever had. It was easy for me to share from my heart because that was so much of who I was. I have provided the link below so that you can check it out:

REFLECTIONS OF A SINGLE FATHER:

http://www.foursquarechurch.org

If you are out there and a single father I commend you! I know that the task at hand is not an easy one. But I encourage you to keep doing all that you can to get as much time with your kids and to be in their lives. Check out the article and let me know what you think. And, please add any tips that you may have for all of the single dads out there.

Thanks again!

Gabriel

Great story to share…my son Julian’s mom calls me to tell me about a moment they had in the elevator of thier downtown L.A. loft. As they were riding up to their floor there was a lady carrying a bunch of bags. My son noticed the volume of bags and said to his mom…”She probablly could use some help. I bet that my wagon would do the trick!”

When Julian and his mom arrived at their unit, Julian begins to share his new business idea. He is going to post a notice in the lobby and will let people know that if they have bags when coming home they can call him and he will come down to the lobby, with his wagon, and help them. And, for only $5 bucks! What a deal, eh?

When Julian’s mom called me I was so excited about the story and how my son, so quickly, saw a need and came up with a solution. The cool thing for me is that when Julian is with me he and I always have this entrepenurial conversations. He is always coming up with fantastic ideas and I just try to nurture his thought process. Some of his ideas are so crazy and off the wall but I just smile and say “Yes!!! Wonderful idea!”

Let us all take the time to see our children and “listen” to what they are saying. Let us take the time to celebrate their ideas, gifts and talents and begin to nurture them.

I guess that the bigger picture here is that my son will see needs of people and try to meet those needs as he grows older. What is it that your kids are dreaming about. How are you supporting and nurturing those dreams and ideas.

Please share some of your thoughts and stories!

Nine years ago I had walked through an unexpected divorce, which left me deeply wounded, and with the ever-present feelings that I was a failure. Many nights I had laid in a fetal position weeping from the deepest parts of my being, crying out to God not understanding what had happened and asking “why?” I thought that things would be different for me and that I would break the chain of divorce that flowed through my family history. I was completely wrong to think that I would be shielded from such heartbreak and the event made me feel as though I had just lost everything. Something happens to a man when he is stripped to the core of who he is. Any masks that I wore to cover parts of who I was were no longer available to me. I felt alone!

To add to the mix I had a baby boy of only six months old and without a model of fathering growing up, I was scared and wondered how I was going to take care of this precious little boy. It literally broke my heart thinking that my son would grow up in a divorced home and experience the separation that I had experienced as a young boy. Read the rest of this entry »

Hello friends! I wanted to share with you some exciting news. Mothering Magazine, a national magazine for moms and dads, has placed a four-page spread with images from my book American Daddy, A Father’s Heart Revealed in its May/June issue.

The word is getting out men! You Rock and you are all to be celebrated for being men who are committed to their children! Keep up the good work for you all are an inspiration to me and many others!!!

Hi-lights below:

Check this out! This was a huge surprise to me hearing that EncourageAmerica.org nominated my book project, American Daddy, A Father’s Heart Revealed, bringing awareness of its positive message about fathers.

I want to encourage all men to continue to be the best dads that they know how to be. You are being noticed!!!

EncourageAmerica.org, “America’s Positive News Network” is providing Counties, Communities and Schools web pages to post local positive news. The acknowledgement of individuals, schools, community groups, and businesses for making our communities a better place will inspire more people to get involved.

Recipient Information

to: Gabriel Pelino - American Daddy - Author from: The Morning Blend WTMJ-TV This is the cover of a new book release called American Daddy authored by Gabriel Pelino. Gabriel wrote this book with many pictures about Dads and how they related to their children. Gabriel discovered that he wanted to offer a way to encourage Dads who to be closer to their children. By acknowledging these great relationships he hopes this will inspire other men.