Daddy Diaries VOL II | The #Inauguration2021


2020, as we all know has been “one for the books” to say the least. the election has been a welcomed diversion for me. I was a political Science major at Morgan{Go Bears !}and growing up watched my dad read two newspapers a day, so politics was always a discussion in my home. 15 years from now my daughter may be able to say the same exact thing. My dad’s two newspapers may have replaced by Politico.com and C-Span but the impact is the same.

I am truly blessed that 9 years ago she was born in a world where a black president was just a matter of fact normal. She had no knowledge or background to realize just how momentous his election was to the world. Over the last few years of course she has come to realize just how amazing having a President , a fellow #girldad, with her daddy’s skin has been.

We have always taught her the black history IS American History and people actually died to participate in this experiment we call America. In February we all went to see Biden here in Raleigh at ST Augustine’s College. Her first political rally and she enjoyed the energy and sense of one common purpose in that gymnasium. Fast forward to Nov 3. Leslie voted early a week before I voted early. Ava went both times to witness the right that far too may people take for granted. She was excited election night. We had a election party for 3 in our living room. We danced happy dances only to see the night end in well, what can only be described as TBA.


Every morning for 3 days she awoke and asked me the same question, “Is Biden President yet?”. On that 3rd morning I gleefully told her he got it ! She proclaimed ” Good”! Seeing a VP who looks like a family member matters, representation matter. For all the trials and tribulations of 2020, it is still a amazing time to be alive to witness America slowly, finally living up to it’s lofty ideals.


Ava asked me what does she have to do to be President one day. I went down the line of college, probably law school and running for maybe local offices and maybe state offices etc ,etc, etc, and I laughed at myself and said ” BUT FIRST, just finish the fourth grade!


Now we are here together on January 20th watching #Inauguration2021 of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., where history has been made today, as he was officially sworn in as the 46th President of the United States of America. Alongside him, Kamala Harris made history as the first female Vice President, as well as the first black and first south Asian VP!


We also got to watch and listen to Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, recite a poem on unity in the U.S. at #Inauguration2021. Again, representation and diversity matters. As we watched the new President and Madame Vice President enter the White House, it was good to see that the America that I am raising our daughter in decided to let sanity, and decency prevail.

To read more Daddy Diaries: see here. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!
Later Y’all.
Barry

Guest Blog Series|DADDY DIARIES VOL I – Humanizing

Hey Family! I am so excited to have my husband, Barry join us here on SobeSavvy.com as a featured guest blogger! To quote Beyonce ‘s song BIGGER…Let mama let you know (let you know)
Mama’s just tryin’, I can’t get no days off
I don’t get no days off
Truly, I’m feelin’ it, I had to say that thing twice

BUT today, I am getting a day off…(well not really because it’s wash day and I am styling my daughter’s natural hair). Let’s just say while I am getting a day off from writing, my husband has offered to create content based on a Dad’s perspective. He has given so much support behind the scenes over the years on this blog as a photographer, interviewer (see the Heigh Five Interviews) , Co-editor and even has stepped in to attend an event as media on my behalf. I am truly grateful for him and hope you enjoy reading this new series called… “DADDY DIARIES” by Barry Heigh

Guest Blog Series | Daddy Diaries | SobeSavvy.com

8/30/11

During “our” pregnancy 9 years ago, I used to write a FaceBook series called “Daddy Diaries“. [ Click here to read the Prequel] I wrote about all the anxiety and excitement that pending dad hood presented. Would I be a good dad ? Would I be a great dad and provider?

Well it is due time for a 2020 update on how this parenthood thing has been going. Check back here monthly on my musings, observations and all around opinion on all things dad-girl related. Hope you enjoy my insight, love and light on my Dad experiences.

“Humanizing”

Over the years some people have given me the greatest compliment a man could hope for. “You are a great dad”. I agree. Parents know if they suck or are a great parent, anyone who says different is probably the former. I have been a father for over 9 years now and would like to think I have learned more than a few things.

There is no “book that comes with this thing” called parenthood so most dad’s do the best they know how. I had a great father but he was MY father and I was a boy. Being a girl-dad requires a bit different skill set. The fundamentals are the same just remixed. Instead of playing crash up with Mattel toy cars we sometimes chase butterflies. See what I mean?

Kids want stuff but what they really want is your attention and time. No adult who was set aside as a child would say they were glad they had all the newest toys and gadgets instead of an afternoon spent at the baseball game with dad eating hot dogs and popcorn. Time is the ultimate luxury, so my wife and I are VERY intentional in spending so much directed attention time WITH Ava and FOR Ava.

I think I excel at humanizing myself to her more and at a earlier age than either one of my parents. Probably because as a older parent I have the beauty of realizing how swift and quick our limited time here on earth can and is going to be. ” I used to do that too at your age” is something Ava hears at least once a week from me. It reassures her she is not doing something weird or wrong. Whether when she just eats the icing off of a cupcake and just leaves the cake or gets caught with a candy wrapper underneath her blanket. I truly think a child should see all the faults and imperfections in adults at a early stage so no one ever can present themselves to her as a savior or a saint.

So that’s it for this rebirth of my Daddy Diaries. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!

Later Y’all.

Guest Blog Series | DADDY DIARIES – The Prequel

BEHOLD! This is my husband holding up our daughter to the heavens 1 month after she was born in Miami Beach, FL . She is the inspiration for “Daddy Diaries” | SobeSavvy.com

2/16/11

Daddy Diaries #1 | SobeSavvy.com

3/1/11

Daddy Diaries #2 | SobeSavvy.com

3/25/11

Daddy Diaries #3 | SobeSavvy.com

3/9/11

Daddy Diaries #4 | SobeSavvy.com

6/14/11

Daddy Diaries #5 | SobeSavvy.com

8/5/11

Daddy Diaries -Final Chapter | SobeSavvy.com

On August 16, 2011 at 7:58pm our one and only daughter was born. My wife (who had just turned 38 in 8/10) had a very calm pregnancy but labor & delivery was a different story. Our daughter arrived by emergency C-section weighing 8 pounds and 11 ounces, 21 inches. We lived in Miami Beach at the time with no family near but will be forever thankful for the friends who helped during that time.

Needless to say with just the 2 of us now managing the new #HeighPartyof3, the sleepless nights, diaper duty and my wife breastfeeding for 20 months, our daughter became our priority. I no longer had time to write …fast forward 9 years later and I am bringing DADDY DIARIES back!

Click here to read the all 🆕️ DADDY DIARIES VOL 1 “Humanizing” and please share your thoughts in the comments below!

Later Y’all.