29-year-old NFL player Dashon Goldson appeared as a guest on “My Life as a Dad.” There, he spoke about the experience of fatherhood, and how to balance career and family.
Thinking back to the day his daughter Charlie was born, Dashon recalls having an advantage over other new fathers. Growing up with a few younger siblings, he had been around babies quite a bit, and even knew how to change diapers. He definitely had one fear though, he admitted, “I didn’t want to drop my child [laughs]”. Even so, he described holding her for the first time as incredible, and still carries the picture to this day.
Now that she is 3, Dashon has noticed Charlie becoming a very active child. And as a a bonus, she also loves her fruits and vegetables. However, when she discovered McDonalds, she found a new love. But Dashon is on top of it, and said after realizing she was starting to eat it everyday, he put a stop to it. As far as keeping her healthy goes, he said, “we just try to keep sugar to a minimum… water down all her juices [laughs]”.
Most important to the NFL star is that he is remembered as the type of father who was always there for his child when she needed him. “I had a rough upbringing,” he explained, “that’s why I’m happy to be in a position where I can provide.” Being able to give her the things she wants is exciting, but Dashon is also weary of spoiling her. He added, “at the same time she has to work for it… don’t just let her get her way with everything.”
His advice for father-to-be who might be nervous is that they remember to make time to support the baby – and the mother. “Moms go through so much during that time,” he noted.
Of course, being an athlete means spending a lot of time away from home, but Dashon does his very best to spend quality time with his daughter. He can usually make it home by 6pm, which gives him just a couple hours before her bedtime, so he makes them count. Watching cartoons, playing cafe, or even doing the hot dog dance, as long as he gets to share some time. But when he goes away for games, he does have a helpful trick up his sleeve: “Facetime has been a big part in being a father and being on the road so much.”
So what’s ideal daddy time for Dashon? “Just being in her presence.”
For more, head to My Life as a Dad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YrYn24Ti4o&list=UUDnGHXVIqTkZLqU09NE0tsQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ekd48ljNc4c&list=UUDnGHXVIqTkZLqU09NE0tsQ&index=29
