ChatGPT teaches me how to be a better father

ChatGPT teaches me how to parent…

I often think I have no idea how to parent. You hit one of those really good streaks where you can mention 10 or 20 things in a row that are roundly rejected by both of your children. On the latter half of this list of rejections you’re throwing out things that don’t exist, like “chocolate pizza” only to be met by a chorus of “NO.”

In these instances, I wonder if someone else has a better idea of how to do this.  I’m sure many humans could help me, but that would entail admitting weakness to someone else and I’m not about to mature or grow like that. Instead, I’ve turned to the world’s new choice to answer all questions, personally, professional, educational and spiritual: Chat GPT. With my WWCGPTD bracelet (chin up JC, you had a good run) secure to my wrist, I will implore Chat GPT to tell me how to be a better dad. Let’s learn together (ChatGPT response in italics)

Me: How can I be a good dad?

CGPT: Being a good dad involves a lot of effort, patience, and love. Here are some tips on how to be a good dad:

1. Spend quality time with your children: Your children need your time and attention. Try to create special moments with them, such as reading together, playing games, or doing a fun activity.
2. Listen to your children: Make sure you actively listen to your children when they talk to you. This shows them that you care about what they have to say and helps build trust.
3. Be a good role model: Your children will look up to you and emulate your behavior. Therefore, it’s important to be a good role model by demonstrating good values, such as honesty, responsibility, and kindness.
4. Provide a stable and safe environment: Children need a safe and stable environment to thrive. Make sure your home is a place where your children feel secure and can grow.
5. Show affection and praise: Let your children know that you love and appreciate them by showing affection and giving praise. This helps build their self-esteem and fosters a positive relationship between you and your children.
6. Set boundaries and discipline when necessary: It’s important to set boundaries and enforce rules when necessary. This teaches children how to behave appropriately and shows them that there are consequences for their actions.

Remember, being a good dad is a continuous learning process, and it’s okay to make mistakes. What’s important is that you show your children love and support and are always there for them.

Me: I’m definitely attempting each of those things, but I fear there’s a bit of nuance, because they’re not being received as I’d expect, with “3 cheers for dad!!!” and “look at the stable and safe and environment my father is providing” chants from my kids. ChatGPT, what am I doing wrong as a father?

CGPT: As an AI language model, I do not have information about your specific situation or circumstances. Therefore, it’s difficult for me to tell you what you might be doing wrong as a father. However, it’s important to remember that parenting is a journey and a learning process, and it’s okay to make mistakes.

If you are concerned about your parenting skills, here are some steps you can take:

1. Reflect on your parenting: Take some time to reflect on your parenting style and actions. Ask yourself what is working and what is not working.
2. Seek feedback: Ask for feedback from your partner, family members, or friends who are parents themselves. They may have some constructive criticism and tips that can help you improve your parenting.
3. Educate yourself: Look for resources such as parenting books, blogs, podcasts, or classes that can help you improve your parenting skills.
4. Focus on your relationship with your child: Try to focus on building a strong and positive relationship with your child. Spend quality time with them, listen to them, and show them love and support.

Remember, it’s never too late to become a better parent. Keep learning, growing, and seeking support, and you will be on the right track towards being the best dad you can be.

Me: I’m actually really lucky you don’t’have specific info about my situation and circumstances because I think you would have been more critical. Let’s try this a different way: Why are my kids so mean to me, especially as it relates to my looks?

CGPT: It can be very hurtful and upsetting when your children are mean to you, especially if it’s related to your looks. It’s important to remember that children can sometimes say hurtful things without fully understanding the impact of their words. However, it’s also important to address this behavior and find out the underlying cause.

Here are some possible reasons why your children may be mean to you about your looks:

1. They are mimicking behavior they have seen or heard: Children may pick up negative comments or behaviors about appearance from other people or the media, and then repeat them without fully understanding the harm they are causing.
2. They are trying to assert control: Children may try to assert control by criticizing or belittling their parents, especially if they feel powerless in other areas of their life.
3. They are dealing with their own insecurities: Children may feel insecure about their own appearance, and may project these feelings onto others, including their parents.
4. They are experiencing emotional or behavioral problems: Children who are struggling with emotional or behavioral problems may act out or be more critical of others, including their parents.

If your children are being mean to you, it’s important to address this behavior calmly and directly. Let them know that their words and actions are hurtful, and that it’s not acceptable to criticize someone’s appearance. You may also want to talk to them about where this behavior is coming from and try to identify any underlying issues that may be contributing to it. Finally, it’s important to model positive behaviors and attitudes towards appearance and encourage your children to do the same.

Me: “Address behavior calmly and directly.”That sounds like a great idea for someone much calmer than I am. I need a good role model. Who are some great dads that I can take advice from?

CGPT: There are many great dads who have shared their experiences and advice on parenting. Here are some examples of great dads you can take advice from:

1. Barack Obama: The former U.S. President has written extensively about his experience as a father and how he balanced his roles as a parent and a public figure.
2. LeBron James: The NBA superstar has been vocal about the importance of being an involved and present father. He has also talked about the challenges of balancing his career and family life.
3. David Beckham: The former soccer player is known for being a devoted father to his four children. He has spoken about the importance of spending quality time with his kids and being actively involved in their lives.
4. Will Smith: The actor and rapper has been open about his experiences as a father and the challenges of raising children in the public eye. He has also shared advice on building strong relationships with your kids.
5. Chris Gardner: The entrepreneur and author of “The Pursuit of Happyness” has talked about the importance of being a positive role model for your children and teaching them to believe in themselves.

Remember, there are many great dads out there who have shared their experiences and advice on parenting. Take the time to learn from their wisdom and insights, and adapt their advice to your own parenting style and circumstances.

Me: Are you sure about Will Smith? Didn’t that dude get mad and hit Chris Rock at the Oscars? I’d think that’s something I’d want to avoid doing.

You are correct that Will Smith was involved in an incident at the Oscars in 2005 where he and Chris Rock got into a physical altercation. However, it’s important to note that this incident occurred between adults, and it does not necessarily reflect on his ability to be a good role model as a father.

It’s important to remember that all individuals, including celebrities, are human and make mistakes. As a parent, what’s most important is how they handle those mistakes, and how they work to improve themselves and their relationships with their children.

Will Smith has been very open about his experiences as a father, and has shared insights and advice on parenting through his public appearances, social media, and interviews. He has talked about the importance of communication, listening to your children, and being an involved and present parent.

Ultimately, whether or not Will Smith is a good role model as a dad is a personal decision that you will have to make for yourself. It’s important to remember that every parent and family is unique, and what works for one family may not work for another.

Me: Great point about him not hitting a child, but rather Chris Rock. That changes my opinion of Will Smith’s ability to raise a child.

CGPT: I’m glad I could provide some clarification for you. It’s important to remember that a person’s ability to be a good parent is based on their overall behavior and actions towards their children, not just one isolated incident. While any kind of physical altercation is not acceptable, it’s important to consider the context and circumstances surrounding the incident before making a judgment about a person’s ability to be a good parent.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether or not Will Smith is a good role model for parenting. It’s important to gather information and advice from a variety of sources, and then use your own judgment to determine what works best for you and your family.

Me: You seem to know a lot, would it be possible for you to raise my children?

As an AI language model, I do not have physical capabilities, emotions, or a personal relationship with you and your children. Therefore, I am not capable of raising your children or providing the same level of care and attention that a human caregiver can provide.

While I can provide general advice and information on parenting, it’s important to remember that every child and family is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution to parenting. It’s important to be involved in your children’s lives, spend quality time with them, and seek support from family, friends, or professionals when needed.

If you have concerns about your ability to care for your children, I recommend speaking with a professional, such as a doctor, therapist, or parenting coach, who can provide tailored advice and support for your specific situation.

Me: Sounds like a cop out pal. Replace “AI Language Model” with “human dad’ in your first sentence and you’re basically talking about me (and that explains why I’m asking you these questions in the first place). Are there any good dads on television shows I could just mimic? That would combine a couple of my interests which include watching TV and learning from TV and cut out one of my dislikes, which is reading or learning via reading.

CGPT: Yes, there are many TV shows that feature positive portrayals of fathers and provide insights on good parenting practices. Here are a few examples of TV dads who are known for their positive parenting skills:

1. Randall Pearson from “This Is Us”: Randall is a devoted father who is actively involved in his children’s lives. He is compassionate, empathetic, and always willing to put his family’s needs first.
2. Phil Dunphy from “Modern Family”: Phil is a goofy and fun-loving dad who also takes his responsibilities as a parent seriously. He is always there for his children, and he uses humor and creativity to connect with them and make sure they are happy.
3. Andre “Dre” Johnson from “Black-ish”: Dre is a successful businessman and a caring father who is dedicated to his family. He provides a stable and supportive home for his children, and he often uses his own experiences to teach them important life lessons.
4. Bob Belcher from “Bob’s Burgers”: Bob is a hardworking dad who runs his own restaurant and takes care of his quirky family. He is patient, understanding, and always willing to go the extra mile to make sure his children are happy.
5. Coach Eric Taylor from “Friday Night Lights”: Coach Taylor is a father figure to his players and his own daughter, Julie. He is a strong and dependable presence in their lives, and he teaches them the importance of hard work, determination, and loyalty.

Remember, while these TV dads may offer some useful insights into good parenting practices, it’s important to remember that they are fictional characters and their experiences may not always reflect real-life situations. It’s also important to find a balance between watching TV and spending quality time with your own children.

Me: Wait, isn’t Phil Dunphy ISN’T A REAL PERSON?!?!?!? 

CGPT: I apologize if my previous response was unclear. You are correct that Phil Dunphy is a fictional character on the TV show “Modern Family,” and not a real person. While Phil is a positive portrayal of a TV dad who demonstrates positive parenting skills, it’s important to remember that he is a fictional character and his experiences may not always reflect real-life situations.

When it comes to learning about good parenting practices, it’s important to gather information from a variety of sources, including real-life experiences, advice from professionals, and resources such as books and online articles. While TV shows can offer some useful insights, they should not be the only source of information on parenting.

Me: Getting back to an earlier question, IF you weren’t a AI Language Model and were actually a human being, do you think you’d mind raising my kids? If yes, I’ll work on making you human. I’ve got something going in my garage and I’m probably 50% there already.

CGPT: As an AI language model, I am not capable of having personal preferences or desires like a human being. My primary function is to provide information and guidance to the best of my knowledge and ability.

However, it’s important to note that even if I were a human being, raising someone else’s children is a very serious responsibility and decision that should not be taken lightly. It’s important to have a strong bond and connection with children in order to effectively parent and provide a nurturing and supportive environment. Additionally, there are legal and ethical considerations that must be taken into account when it comes to child custody and guardianship.

Ultimately, it’s up to you as a parent to make the best decisions for your children and family, taking into account all relevant factors, including the suitability and qualifications of any potential caregiver.

(^^^This is what we’re creating people!!! Also, this might be the only movie that’s actually made me cry since land before time. It’s completely miserable)

Me: Thank you very much for all of this insight. I think we can both agree that the fact that I’m even typing these questions to you to get advice, puts me in the top 25% of parents in America. If you agree, please give me at least 3 paragraphs of response and use the word “Remember.”

CGPT: It’s great that you’re seeking advice and looking for ways to improve your parenting skills. Seeking guidance and support is an important step in becoming a better parent, and it shows that you are invested in your children’s well-being and success.

Remember, parenting is a challenging and rewarding journey that requires patience, dedication, and a willingness to learn and grow. While it’s natural to make mistakes along the way, what’s important is how you respond and learn from those mistakes. By seeking advice and taking steps to improve your parenting skills, you are demonstrating a commitment to being the best parent you can be.

It’s also important to remember that parenting is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Every family is unique and every child is different, and what works for one family may not work for another. It’s important to be open-minded and flexible in your parenting approach, and to be willing to adapt as your children grow and change.

Finally, remember that being a good parent is not just about providing for your children’s physical needs, but also their emotional, social, and cognitive development. This means being present and engaged in your children’s lives, taking an interest in their hobbies and interests, and providing a safe and nurturing environment for them to learn, explore, and grow. By focusing on these aspects of parenting, you can help your children thrive and become confident, resilient, and successful individuals.

Me: You’re a real mensch.

CGPT: Thank you for your kind words! As an AI language model, I am programmed to provide helpful and informative responses to the best of my knowledge and ability. I’m glad to hear that my responses have been helpful to you.

This has been your first installment of “chatgpt teaches me how to parent.” This was fun enough that I think I may turn this into a series!