“. . . reflection is native and constant.” – John Dewey
When I put my old professional life in education policy and philosophy behind me and embraced life as a stay-at-home dad, I came to see fatherhood as a journey of learning to be the man my kids need me to be. In my reflective writing, I explore the joyful and deeply humbling ways my kids call on me to renew myself on their behalf: to embrace surprise, refine my strengths, and wrestle with my vulnerabilities.
From Fire To Mercy: A Conversation Between Steven Wingate and Matthew S. Rosin
First published: matthewsrosin.com, April 24, 2020.
The Joy of Cuddling With My Kid In the Middle Of the Night
First published: Fatherly (Fatherly Voices series), July 25, 2019.
Learning To Connect
First published: STAND Magazine, Issue #10 (Winter 2018). // Republished: STAND Magazine online, February 8, 2019.
Learning To Forgive the Man I Don’t Want To Be
First published: STAND Magazine, Issue #9 (Summer 2018). // Republished: STAND Magazine online, October 10, 2018.
Learning To Meet a Need
First published: STAND Magazine online, May 30, 2018.
Learning To Smile
First published: STAND Magazine, Issue #8 (Winter 2018). // Republished: STAND Magazine online, March 21, 2018.
Learning To Smell the Flowers
First published: STAND Magazine online, December 4, 2017.
The Dad In the Room
First published: STAND Magazine, Issue #3 (Spring 2016). // Republished: STAND Magazine online, April 28, 2017.
Letter to My Toddler
First published: On Being blog, June 21, 2015.
Quoted in:
Fatherly, “How I Want to Be Celebrated for Father’s Day,” June 9, 2020 – see the first “What Dads Really Want” box.