Our 186th Dad in the Limelight is Chris Elliott. I want to thank Chris for being a part of this 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 Chris Elliott but my friends just call me Elliott. First and foremost, I’m a father of an amazing little boy named Zakary, who’s just about to turn four. When I’m not chasing Zakary around, I work at T-Mobile USA as their Emerging Media Manager which is fancy talk for leading their social media presence including running their Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Foursquare accounts. Ultimately I’m a storyteller at heart as previous to T-Mobile, I worked in PR for Weber Shandwick and before that, was a television news producer in both Seattle and my native state, Michigan. I live in Seattle now but never forget my roots in Michigan.I love music and finding new, up-and-coming bands, sports (both playing and watching– especially Detroit teams), technology and doing everything I can outdoors.
2) Tell me about your family
My immediate family is a bit on the smaller side and it really consists of me, my son Zakary, and his mother. However, I’m super close with my friends in Seattle and Michigan and consider some of them to be family as well.
3) What has been the largest challenge you have had in being a father?
The largest challenge I’ve faced as a father– and really, as a man– has been going through a divorce with Zakary’s mother. When people hear the “D” word, horrible thoughts usually come to mind. However, Zakary’s mother and I have an extremely close relationship and we’ve always put Zakary first in all of our actions and thoughts. There is nothing more important in this world than his happiness. However, with the “D” comes separation. Not being with Zakary every single moment during the day is extremely hard. You never know when he might have a “first” and who wants to miss those. But thanks to technology, video calling and social networks, both his mother and I can be sure to never miss a thing.
4) What advice would you give to other fathers?
My advice for other fathers would be take every piece of advice you get with a grain of salt, or to ignore all of it. Being a dad is the most amazing experience a man could have and it’s the toughest thing you’ll ever do. Just roll with it and enjoy every single moment.
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.
The balancing act between being a parent, the voice of a large corporation on social and just a regular guy is rough. Really, I try to find solace wherever I can. Whether it’s on the drive home listening to music, going out with friends and laughing at stupid guy things, playing golf or watching a sporting event, I always try to find some way to unwind. It’s tough because there’s only so many hours in the day and life demands a lot. But sometimes all I need is a great song, a glass of wine or my son telling me that he loves me, and life is good.
6) What have you learned from the fathers that you have interacted with?
What I’ve learned from other fathers is that I’m not alone. Just when you think you’re the only one with problems or that your child is the most difficult child in the world, I always hear stories comparable or worst than mine. Knowing that others have experiences like I have is comforting.
7) What else would you share regarding your experiences as a father thus far?
You never know when one of life’s most beautiful moments will strike. It’s those moments where nothing else in the world matter. I could be cuddling up with my son while watching Scooby Doo, listening to him play by himself and seeing his imagination expand, or doing something for the first time that only “big” kids do. At the end of the day, we all just punch a clock. But what really matters is the people you surround yourself with.
What have been the most memorable experiences that you have had thus far as a parent?
The most memorable experiences? Wow. I got a lot of those. The very first moment I saw my son. Trying to get a newborn to sleep while on zero sleep myself. Taking him to the baseball stadium for the first time. My son and I Skyping with my father– who he never met. Watching Zak go up to his first house, on his own on Halloween. Watching other people react to Zakary who can light up a room with his smile, energy and laugh. It seems like “most memorable experiences” are happening nearly every day.
If you have any questions for Chris, 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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Elliott – you rock at work and at home. Cheers to you! Great profile.
That’s just great that you share other dad bloggers I really wish that there were more of them