Who runs Papa Perfect?

 Hello! My name is Jason, I am father to 2 amazing children and I founded and run things here at Papa Perfect.

I am based in the UK and live not too far from where I grew up on the South Coast. In my spare time you’ll most likely find me working out or chilling with a good book.

As a family we like to spend a lot of time outside. We walk our dog every day, visit the beach regularly and have lots of fun trying to make the impossible possible!

It took me a while to realise I was ready for kids. Being an older Dad (I was 39 when our son came along, our daughter 3 years later) I had already lived a little and was used to doing things on my terms and achieving a reasonable degree of success, whether at work or personally, but it’s really important to say I’m no different to any of you guys who are new to or contemplating fatherhood.

That’s not to say my family isn’t special to me. More that regardless of your financial standing or the structure of your family unit, the struggles and issues remain the same.

The kids have their insecurities, fears, social pressures and a desire to fit in and my job as a Dad is to smooth that path and be that sounding board and advice giver whilst at the same time being an emotional punch bag, coach, teacher, mentor, play mate and role model and all while trying not to be too judgemental or embarrassing!

Why Start Papa Perfect?

For me, becoming a father changed everything. For the first time I couldn’t just solve a problem and move on. Kids don’t come with a manual after all and there is little or no consistency in behaviour….especially in the early years….actually, let’s make that ever!

Having travelled a long and unconventional journey to becoming a Dad I was so determined to get it right that I spent a long time trying to be the perfect Dad and beating myself up when I couldn’t get things right straight away. 

I felt guilty whenever I did something for me rather than for them and I was constantly questioning myself as to whether I could actually do this “Dad” thing.

I also realised that as guys we are really bad at opening up about these experiences.

I’m not talking about the “deep and meaningfuls” of life but just sharing both the good and bad things that go with having kids and the lessons learned as well as the advice that we pick up as the years go by.

The knock-on effect of that reluctance to share experiences is that there seemed like nowhere to turn for advice. Even my own Dad couldn’t “spill the beans” or give me the right answer.

If we jump forward to the present day I’ve realised that there is room for a place to share that experience, to generate debate and to offer a virtual shoulder to cry on or at least a comforting virtual man hug!

I’m now the proud father of a 13 year old boy and a 10 year old girl. They are amazing and bring me joy every day. However, they also remain equally frustrating, annoying and unfathomable!

The idea of this blog, as well as being a useful resource, is to help all dads realise that they are not alone and that you don’t have to be perfect. Many have walked the path before us and despite the pressures put on us by today’s society and our need to be seen to be doing the best we can, we are actually doing ok.

You will always be a superhero to your kids. You just need to remember to enjoy the ride because before you know it, you’ll be Grandpa Perfect and I’m not ready to start that blog yet!