Our 353rd Dad in the Limelight is Jason Bruce. I want to thank Jason for being a part of the Dads in the Limelight series. It has been great getting connected with him and now sharing him with all of you.
1) Tell me about yourself, (as well as how you are in the limelight for my readers knowledge)
My name is Jason Bruce. I’m originally from the Philippines but have been living in Northern Virginia with my family for more than 13 years.
I consider myself a full time digital communications professional. I work as a social media manager for a national religious non-profit organization and I also run my own social media consulting business. My flexible schedule also allows me to be a stay-at-home dad from time to time.I’m also blogger. My favorite blog topics are fatherhood, culture and faith. You can visit my blog at www.thelivingrice.com. My writings also appeared in BreakPoint.org, ThePointRadio.org, ManhattanDeclaration.org, Thinke.org, Fatherhood.org, GoodMenProject.com and DefinitelyFilipino.com.
My personal heroes are author Chuck Colson and Filipino martyr Ninoy Aquino.
2) Tell me about your family
I’m married to my wife, Praise since 2001 and we have two children, Isabelle (8) and Jordan (3). Filipino and American traditions are both strong in our household.
We recently bought our first home. People said that we are fulfilling our so-called “American dream.” They may be right, but the dream my wife and I consider worth pursuing is our dream to have our children strong in their faith and values.
3) What has been the largest challenge you have had in being a father?
The largest challenge for me as a father is how I set myself as a good example to my kids. I believe the only way to raise a decent human being is to become one. My wife and I are my children’s first teachers. My kids constantly watch me. They see my every move and behavior when we’re in public and at home and they are more likely to be affected by what I do than what I say. It’s really scary if you think deep about it because I am a flawed human being – my fatherhood skills are not perfect and I just learn along the way.
4) What advice would you give to other fathers?
Love your wife and children sacrificially. It’s important to put their needs first before your own. Putting your family first requires humility and self-denial. Get rid of the idea that because you’re the father, you are also the “master” of the house and should be waited on. It’s OK to give up a golf game, a fishing trip run or a work overtime once in a while just to be home early for your family and help around the house.
5) Seeing that you (or your position) are in the limelight, how have you come to balance parenthood and outside life? If you are currently not in the limelight per se, please still answer this in regards to how you balance parenthood and outside life.
Credit primarily goes to my wife. Her generosity to give me time and space allows me to pursue a profession while balancing fatherhood. In return, I give the same generosity back to my wife so she can also pursue her own thing. My wife is also a student and requires some quiet uninterrupted time to do some school work and review for exams. Finding balance requires teamwork.
6) What have you learned from the fathers that you have interacted with?
I learned that I’m not alone.Many dads are just like me, unsatisfied with the popular culture our children growing up in. We want more quality and greater significance for our children. Many also think that today’s culture is a battle ground and if left unguarded, can claim the hearts and mind of our children to embrace values that are against our own and harmful to them. I feel affirmed knowing that other dads also prioritize building a culture at home that is stronger than the culture that tries to influence our children.
7) What else would you share regarding your experiences as a father thus far?
It’s important to be part of a community. Whether that is a local dad’s group, a sports/hobby clubs or a church home group, it’s essential to be connected with other like-minded individuals to keep you stay grounded and in-touch with reality. It’s also a good place to learn from other people’s experiences and a “good sounding” board to share your frustrations and triumphs.
8) What have been the most memorable experiences that you have had thus far as a parent?
The everyday experiences of parenting are memorable. I like to recall the little good deeds I see my children do especially those that show self-sacrifice and generosity. I like to remind and point out these positive qualities to my children so they will know that they’ve done something good and should try to be consistent about it.
If you have any questions for Jason, please leave a comment here and I will make sure that he gets them so that he may be able to respond!
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