Our 104th Dad in the Limelight is Markus Watson of Father411.com. I want to thank Markus for being a part of this series. It has been great 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 Markus (Mark) Watson and I was born to be a Dad. I’m a life coach for fathers and my company is Father411(Father411.com), professional voice over artist, serial entrepreneur and I’m currently writing a book about dads and how to be a better one. I’m ex-army and have an “old-school” fathering style as it relates to discipline, respect and rearing. My favorite quote is “The Way You Do Anything, Is The Way You Do Everything”
2) Tell me about your family.
I’m married to my Lesley, my Chief Chick and I’m the father to the best son alive, Malcolm (9) from a previous marriage. He’s musically gifted, well adjusted and the reason I exist.
3) What has been the largest challenge you have had in being a father? The largest challenge I’ve faced as a father was moving away from my son in early 2008. I live out of state and about 1200 miles away from him. My greatest obstacle as a non-custodial dad is not being there physically. I’ve learned that through technology (emails, Skype, web chats, texting and phone calls that I can help with homework, see is concerts (recorded) and maintain
a positive presence in his life.
That the biggest mistake we can make is to try to be perfect. Our children don’t need us to be perfect, they need us to be present.
Children evolve daily, so do their needs. As dads we have to adapt to keep up Being a dad is like shaving no matter how good you shave today, you’ll still have to shave tomorrow.
I work a lot, but I look at work as an extension of my responsibilities as a dad. As a father coach, I use my experience as a father as my foundation, while my voice over career started by making up characters while playing with my son or putting him to sleep.
So I guess, my calling as a dad prepared me for my career path.
I’ve learned that as many different types of dads that are out there (married, single, non-custodial, military, traveling, etc)
that we all struggle with the same issues. We’re all connected and want to be the best, but sometimes we get…sidetracked and need a little help to get us back on that path. We’re all more alike than we are different.
7) What else would you share regarding your experiences as a father thus far?Being a dad is the greatest experience I’ve had in my 40+ years of life. I’ve been blessed and charged with God-given responsibility of another life. I’ve learned that I can do anything for the betterment of my son. My time as a dad has shown me that the 4 sweetest words ever spoken are “I love you dad”. Those words are uplifting and makes a bad day better and a good day great!
What have been the most memorable experiences that you have had thus far as a parent?Oh my, there are so many…Seeing my son born and having him squeeze my finger. His first soccer goal. Seeing his confidence grow as I was running behind him while he was learning to ride his bike and then seeing his face as I told him afterwards that I let go 1/2 block prior. Seeing his passion about his music. I have been blessed to be able to travel to see some of his best moments, which make them MY best moments.
If you have any questions for Markus, 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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