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I Am Going to Die Before My Youngest Son Grows Up

By CBC Parents

Apr 23, 2019

What is it like to be an older dad? 

It's no different than being a younger dad, really, but there are a few key differences. 

At 68 years old, a father is building a relationship with his youngest son, who will still be relatively young by the time he passes. 

Here are just some of his thoughts about coming to terms with parenting into your senior years. Watch the short video above!


On Being Motivated to Stay Young at Heart 

One of the activities this dad loves to take part in with his youngest is playing hockey. He says, "It's a joy to be able to do these things with him, so I need to stay fit." 


On the Responsibility of Dying

You might think death is just an inevitability, but with young children, this dad feels there's more to it than that. "The fact that I'm going to pass while they relatively young is a huge responsibility. I think it's important to address with my son." 


On Defining Death in Terms That Will Help His Kids

This dad's strategy is to lean on his faith and hope for something more after death to comfort his kids. "I firmly believe that this isn’t a placebo. I think reason and faith and every human capacity drives us to this understanding — that this isn’t a purposeless life. That this is a life that leads us to something in the future. And my son and I can share in that belief. And share in that excitement."


The Art of Parenting offers an intimate conversation with some of the most memorable families featured in the CBC Kids broadcast series The Art Show. The parents speak candidly and emotionally about how their own history, upbringing, belief system and circumstance have influenced their parenting style and resulted in the raising of some truly phenomenal kids.