When I became a dad, I thought I was prepared for everything—midnight feedings, dirty diapers, and endless crying sessions. But what I didn’t anticipate was how much this little person would teach me about myself. Something unexpected happened in those early months of fatherhood: I started to reconnect with the dreams I had as a child. Theones I had buried long ago under the weight of adulthood, responsibilities, and practicality.
It’s funny how life works. You spend so much time growing up, trying to be mature and "realistic," that you forget how to dream big. But fatherhood has this way of stripping you down to the essentials. It makes you think about who you are and, more importantly, who you want to be—for your child.
Here’s what I’ve learned about rediscovering my childhood dreams as a dad.
The Power of Seeing the World Through Fresh Eyes
When my son first began exploring the world, it was like watching someone discover magic for the first time. A simple thing like a butterfly landing on a flower or the sound of crunching leaves under his tiny feet would light up his face with pure wonder. At first, I was just the observer, smiling at his curiosity. But over time, something shifted. His excitement became contagious.
I found myself slowing down, noticing the little things I’d ignored for years. I started sketching again—something I hadn’t done since I was a teenager. I’d forgotten how much I loved drawing, how it used to make me feel alive. One day, I grabbed my sketchpad and sat down next to my son as he was scribbling in his coloring book. That moment? It felt like reconnecting with an old friend.
Rediscovering Play
As adults, we forget the value of play. Life becomes about deadlines and responsibilities, and anything "frivolous" is pushed aside. But here’s the thing: kids are masters of play, and they invite you into their world like no one else can.
My son’s favorite pastime is building with Legos. One day, instead of just watching him, I joined in. What started as a simple castle quickly turned into an elaborate village, complete with bridges, towers, and even a moat. It wasn’t just fun—it was exhilarating. I felt a spark of creativity I hadn’t felt in years. It reminded me of the endless hours I’d spent building things as a kid, dreaming of becoming an architect.
That day, I promised myself I wouldn’t dismiss play as "childish" anymore. Because play isn’t just for children—it’s for anyone who wants to create, imagine, and dream.
The Dreams I Left Behind
Becoming a dad forced me to reflect on the person I had been before life got so busy. I started thinking about the dreams I’d left behind.
When I was a kid, I wanted to be a writer. I used to spend hours crafting stories about superheroes, adventurers, and far-off lands. But somewhere along the way, I convinced myself that writing wasn’t practical. I majored in something "safe" in college, got a corporate job, and put those stories on a shelf.
But now, with my son snuggled in my lap during bedtime stories, those dreams found their way back to me. Reading to him rekindled my love for storytelling. One night, instead of pulling a book off the shelf, I made up a story about a boy who could talk to animals. My son loved it so much, he asked me to tell it again the next night. And the night after that.
Before I knew it, I was writing again—not for money or recognition, but simply because it brought me joy.
Teaching My Child to Dream
One of the greatest responsibilities of being a parent is teaching your child to dream big—and to believe in those dreams. But how can you do that if you’ve given up on your own?
I realized that if I wanted to be the kind of dad who encourages his child to pursue their passions, I had to lead by example. So, I started taking small steps toward my old dreams. I signed up for an online writing workshop. I joined a community of artists who share their sketches. I wasn’t aiming for perfection—I just wanted to show my son that it’snever too late to chase what sets your soul on fire.
The Joy in Starting Over
One of the most surprising lessons I’ve learned as a dad is that starting over isn’t a failure—it’s a gift. Watching my son take his first steps reminded me of how important it is to keep trying, even when you fall.
Whether it was picking up a pencil to sketch or sitting down to write a short story, I had to let go of the fear of judgment. I wasn’t trying to prove anything to anyone. I was simply trying to honor the kid I used to be—the one who dreamed without limits.
Passing Down the Dreamer’s Spirit
As I spend time with my son, I’m constantly reminded of the importance of nurturing curiosity and imagination. I see it as my responsibility to help him dream big, just as he’s helped me rediscover my own dreams.
We’ve started a tradition: every Saturday morning, we sit down with a blank sheet of paper and draw our "dreams for the week." Sometimes his dreams involve flying cars and candy-filled oceans, while mine are a little more grounded—but the point is, we’re dreaming together.
Dreams Don’t Expire
If there’s one thing fatherhood has taught me, it’s that dreams don’t have an expiration date. You can always come back to them, no matter how much time has passed. Sure, life gets a little busy, and priorities shift, but the dreams that trulymatter have a way of sticking with you.
Becoming a dad didn’t just make me a better parent—it made me a better version of myself. It reminded me of the things that make me feel alive, the things I want to pass on to my child.
Highlights:
- Seeing the World Anew: My child’s curiosity reignited my own sense of wonder.
- The Value of Play: Joining him in play reminded me of the joy of creating and imagining.
- Revisiting Old Dreams: Fatherhood reconnected me with passions I had buried long ago.
- Leading by Example: Pursuing my dreams showed my child the importance of never giving up.
- Finding Joy in Starting Over: Starting fresh isn’t failure—it’s growth.
- Dreaming Together: Our weekly "dream sessions" became a family tradition.
- Dreams Are Timeless: It’s never too late to pursue what makes your heart sing.
If there’s one message I want to pass along, it’s this: don’t let go of your dreams. Becoming a parent doesn’t mean sacrificing who you are—it means becoming more of who you’re meant to be. For me, being a dad didn’t just change my life. It gave me back the dreams I thought I’d lost forever.
