Want to Be the Cool Dad, But I Need a Plan (And Less Screen Time)

You know that feeling when you wake up, look in the mirror, and think, Is this me? Not in some existential way—but more like, Who let this guy stop working out? Yeah, that’s been me lately. I work in security, have two kids, and try to balance the chaos of family life. I want to be the cool dad, the fun dad. But lately, I’m feeling more like the tired dad. I needed a plan.

When I was a kid, growing up in the 90s, things were simpler. We did not have smartphones glued to our eyes 24/7. We played outside. Today’s world is so tech-driven, and it makes me feel bad watching how easily kids become slaves to their devices. Every time I see my kids eyeing a screen, I feel like I’m losing them to some shitty algorithm. That’s not the future I want for them.

Maybe that’s part of the reason I’ve been feeling off lately. I don’t want to raise my kids in a world where their best memories involve apps and social media. I want them to have the kind of childhood I had—full of real experiences, scraped knees, and having fun outside. And guess what? If I want to instill that in them, it starts with me. I’ve got to bring that 90s energy back into our house.

It’s funny—back in the day, being cool was about what you could do, not what you could post. That’s the dad I want to be—the one who’s present, who makes things fun without relying on screens, and who still has some energy left in the tank after work.

It feels like my kids are on the edge of falling into that smartphone trap. So I’ve decided I’m going to help them fight it. I want them to grow up with a sense of adventure that goes beyond their devices. And it starts with the way I manage our after-school time. More outdoor activities, more hands-on experiences, and less screen time. Maybe it’s time to throw some 90s-style fun into the mix—whether it’s playing catch, riding bikes, or just sitting around and talking without a phone buzzing every five minutes.

Now, I know what you’re saying. Really? You are writing A BLOG. This is ironic. I know, but i think this might be my salvation. So yeah, this whole writing-down-my-thoughts thing is part of the plan. It’s like therapy, but cheaper. I need to start getting my life back on track, and writing seems like the first step. I used to work out. And if I’m going to keep up with my kids, I need to bring that back, too. Not just for me, but for them—so they see what it looks like to live fully, without constantly checking a screen.

The bottom line is this: I want to be the dad my kids remember as fun, not distracted. The dad who shows them that life happens outside of their phones, just like it did back in the 90s. Writing it all down is step one.