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Parenting

23rd May 2020

A dad who grew up without a father started a YouTube channel to teach ‘basic dad skills’

Trine Jensen-Burke

dad skills

I don’t know about you, but I still, as a fully-fledged adult, call on my dad to help with many, many things.

Hinges that are loose, sinks that are blocked, flat tyres, funny sounds from the engine, gas barbeques that need putting together – he is my first call. I mean; all that ‘dad stuff’ – that’s were dads shine with their competence and knowledge, isn’t it?

But then what do you do if you don’t have a dad to call?

An American dad, whose own dad abandoned him when he was just 14, has started a YouTube channel to teach people skills you’d normally ask your dad about, and honestly, it is the sweetest thing you’ll ever see.

Rob Kenney, who is a dad of two grown-up children himself, recently admitted in an interview with Shattered magazine that the reason he started his YouTube channel, “Dad, How Do I?” was because he wanted to leave a legacy, particularly for those who struggle with a broken family or absent parent. So far, the videos cover topics like checking the oil, checking your tire pressure, how to fix a running toilet, how to tie a tie, and how to iron a dress shirt.

“I want it to be about everyday tasks, but I also would like to pass along some of the wisdom I’ve learned along the way to encourage people,” Rob said. “I thought I was just going to be showing people how to do stuff, but it’s kind of resonating on a whole different level.”

Needless to say, the internet is loving Kenney and his heartwarming YouTube channel, and honestly, I feel like he will become a bit of a ‘go to dad’ for those who don’t have their own dad in their lives.