HOW DOES GROWING UP WITHOUT A FATHER AFFECT YOU? 👀 | Fatherhood, Male Role Models & Raising Children

👨🏾‍👧🏾 *HAVING A FATHER AROUND IS ONE THING… BUT HAVING AN ACTIVE FATHER IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT!* How much does having an actively involved father really affect a child's life? On this episode of **Nah Chill Out: Let's Talk**, we had one of our most personal conversations about fatherhood, growing up without consistent paternal guidance, and the men who helped shape us. Lew shared how his grandfather, uncles, and football coaches stepped up when his father wasn't actively involved. He even talked about recently seeing his old middle school football coach and becoming emotional because of how much that man changed his life. *SOMETIMES THE MAN WHO CHANGES YOUR LIFE ISN'T YOUR BIOLOGICAL FATHER.* But that doesn't mean you don't feel the absence of your dad. We discussed: 👨🏾 *ACTIVE FATHERS VS. ABSENT FATHERS:* How different might our lives have been if our fathers had been more involved? 🏈 *POSITIVE MALE ROLE MODELS:* The impact of grandfathers, uncles, coaches, and mentors who step in to guide young men. 🧠 *THE MALE EXPERIENCE:* Are there certain conversations and experiences that boys benefit from discussing with men who've already lived through them? 💔 *THE CONVERSATIONS WE NEVER GOT TO HAVE:* I shared how my father passed away when I was 16 and how I still wish I could have had more time to ask him questions and learn from him. 👔 *THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MATTER:* Learning how to shave, dress, work on cars, date, and navigate the challenges of growing into adulthood. 👧🏾 *FATHERS MATTER TO DAUGHTERS TOO:* As a father to a daughter, I discuss the responsibility of being a positive example of the kind of man I hope she'll expect in her own relationships. And we made something clear: *THIS ISN'T ABOUT DISCREDITING THE MOTHERS WHO DID EVERYTHING THEY COULD.* Lew gave his mother her flowers for everything she did raising him. But we also discussed why having positive, actively involved men in children's lives can provide guidance, support, and perspectives they might otherwise miss. *BEING A FATHER IS MORE THAN JUST HAVING A CHILD. IT'S ABOUT BEING PRESENT.* 👇🏾 *WHAT DO Y'ALL THINK?* How important is an active father in a child's life? Can grandfathers, uncles, coaches, and mentors fill the gap when a biological father isn't present? And what's ONE thing you wish your father had taught you growing up? 🎥 Watch the FULL conversation on *YouTube — Nah Chill Out Network!* 👍🏾 LIKE • COMMENT • SHARE • SUBSCRIBE #NahChillOut #LetsTalk #Fatherhood #ActiveFathers #AbsentFathers #MaleRoleModels #PositiveMaleRoleModels #RaisingBoys #RaisingDaughters #BlackFathers #FatherAndSon #FatherAndDaughter #Mentorship #Parenting #FamilyStructure #RealConversations #Podcast