ATD Letter
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Dad vs YouTube:

Dad vs YouTube:

Who's Really Winning?

Drew Cameron
January 27, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 14 minutes

Teach a kid early the right way to live, like planting a seed that grows into a strong tree. Start small and take it all (ATD)

WHAT UP Fellas,

have you ever wondered how kids these days are making a big splash on YouTube? They're changing the game in ways we've never seen before.

What's their secret?

Here's what I learned from my son on his journey

So recently my son has been building a YouTube channel. He's been uploading content for three years off and on. He recently had some success on recent videos. He has gained 2k views on some videos pretty consistently. I attempted to give him some of my infinite wisdom. lol

I've taken courses and researched what other creators have done. I invested time to help him get the exposure he needed. But at every turn, he was not having it. He is a chip off the old block.

He wants to navigate his journey. I gave him advice that I thought would work. But he didn't want to take the advice even when I had seen proven success from other creators. He had a clear vision of what he wanted to create. After observing the younger generation's approach to success. Time to unload …

Comfort Zones and Teenage Innovation: A Father's Challenge"

I don't care for change, I like the same things what can I say I'm a creature of habit.

Taco Tuesdays
Wing Wednesdays,
Hibachi chicken Thursdays
Same breakfast every day

It keeps things simple for me. Being set in our ways is hard to change or alter especially if you have a vision or see that something is working.

There might be a better way but sometimes comfort and wanting to do it your way is superior to how you feel.

My wife says I like to eat the same things but I say “If I have to cook I don't want to think about it”. I ate chicken and green beans every day for years on deployment and when I came home.

When she cooks for me I'm happy with whatever. I don't have to think about it.

While I grapple with my habits and comfort zones. It’s crucial to contrast this with a fresh perspective from my teenage son. This is what he brings to the table.

Parenting in the Digital Era: Navigate TheTech Terrain

When you’re young, everything is new and fresh. The excitement, no regrets or regard for the side effects. The age of expiration is a myth when you are young.

As we get older we become aware of our initial D-Day.

Life is not short, no life is precious make every moment count.

Understanding the dynamic and vibrant world of teenagers leads us back in time. As parents, we are tested. Navigating the complexities of parenting in the digital age.

The time to advise with an old playbook for a new game in Fatherhood is long and gone.

Today kids have the forbidden fruit at their fingertips. It's a resource of information they’re growing up with and we are adapting to.

The digital age requires discipline and consistency.

A gift and a curse maintaining balance.

Often the challenge with school and everything in between. Requires devices for the simplest of tasks ~ like class assignments.

You have to know about screen time and passcodes, kids use Google Docs in school to message one another. After you've confiscated devices from them to unplug.

The school gives it right back in the form of a school computer. Lol.

The era of technology and this is what we are up against.

As we dive into these challenges. It becomes evident that our traditional ideas of parental leadership need reevaluation.

In the face of an evolving digital landscape.

The path ahead is uncertain you need vision.

Rethinking Parenthood: Learning from Our Kids' Paths

The outdated belief is that parents must always lead and children must follow.

You can learn from anyone and gain a perspective into why!

You are the enemy you are getting in your way.

You don't know everything.

There is no book on parenting. I know you've googled it or even tried to write one, but I'm here to tell you it's about intuition and perspective.

Your lack of knowledge, perspective, and keeping an open mind are causing you to fail at every turn. You are your harshest critic and your worst enemy at the same time.

Remember my son? Reflecting on evolving parental roles brings me back to a time, I learned a hard lesson. Trying to impose my way on his creative process.

Fatherhood and Flexibility: Learning from Trial and Error

I tried to force him to do it my way. It was uncomfortable for both of us. Furious I all but ordered/ commanded him to do it my way.

I didn't want to force him and he didn't want to be forced. But I wanted him to see it my way and see the result. I wanted him to get 200k views and the notoriety.

My story of trial and error unlocked a broader reflection on the journey of fatherhood.

I put the tools in front of him. All the shiny objects like an Apple marketing team prepared to line their pockets with your money. I bought him production cameras lighting and editing software.

You can't be forced to create without inspiration.

You'll get some art but it won't be what the artist expected. Erykah Badu has a quote ”I'm an artist and I'm sensitive about mySh&&!”

❝

“I'm an artist and I'm sensitive about my Sh**!”

~ Erykah Badu

Embracing Their Vision: Insight into Creative Independence

Well, that's exactly what creators, small business owners, and entrepreneurs are Artists.

Ain't nobody more sensitive about what they're creating! I shortly gave up and realized this was a losing battle. DJ had a vision of what he wanted to create.

I began to see he was more like me than I cared to admit. He had all these options that I was throwing at him but he had a vision of what he wanted to do.

Plain and simple. Navigating the paternal waters, marked by both successes and stumbles. I've come to a hard realization about respecting and supporting my son’s journey.

I have the battle scars to prove that the journey of fatherhood is full of lessons similar to the hero's journey. My goal is to be the best father I can be.

Teaching and advising my son from a perspective of my past experiences. I don't want him to go through some of the same problems or struggles that I’ve had to overcome.

Through protection comes battle scars. His path of carving out his own identity and success echoes a larger trend. Today’s digital thought leaders defy the norms to forge their unique paths.

Guiding Not Dictating: A Father’s Role and a Son's Heroic Journey

The hero's journey has a villain. But the hero on this journey doesn’t look the same.

You’re the villain he's the hero and the journey is his alone to face. The enemy big bad dad lol.

Lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink it. That's exactly what the parenting journey feels like.

You can have all the tools and resources at your disposal. In the end, it's up to you to use them.

Giving my son the tools to be the man God intended him to be, is my only task. It's up to him to do what he has to do with them when the time is right

“Show them who you are “ ~black panther

Learning from Our Kids' Digital Journeys

A Heroes vision

After some time to think and after seeing the failure in what I told my son to do. I recognized a valuable lesson.

My son was carving out his lane.

Not trying to follow my shadow. But completely create his light. Taking aspects of what I told him before. Designing it, he wanted to see it through. He had a vision.

Regardless of the consequences or lack of views. It was important to stay true to his core values. Carving out his own identity and success.

It echoes a larger trend seen in the future of society, who defy norms to forge their unique paths."

Visionary Paths

Mr grateful, Maxwell and The Creator are up-and-coming YouTubers who are paving the way for a new way to see YouTube.

They've gotten notoriety in a little time by doing what they wanted. Against the algo and all odds. The deck was stacked against but hey still they rose.

Mr Grateful with his approach to helping everyone and showcasing his steps along the way. It shows he's not gatekeeping. He also shows how he uses AI to help build his dynasty on YouTube.
Maxwell gives us a sense of transparency. He's around my son's age and has grown two pages in the 5 digits range. With his personable touches, it is something to be admired.
Last The Creator is still building his following. He follows a similar framework and pattern that I recognize. He uses Dan's approach which would be a combination of the two. With a proven blueprint, The creator mixes authenticity with a uniqueness all his own. Observing these guys and my own son's journey. Is a pivotal shift in my parenting approach. From a director to a collaborator."

From Leader to Ally: A New Role

Shifting from dictator to more of a collaborator. I get a better relationship and a certain level of respect from my son. Showing him that I hear him is important to his development as a man.

❝

“The road ahead is long hard no place for a boy he must be a warrior”

~Kratos God of War Ps5

It's fitting, it explains what I do. To get him ready and continue the hero's journey on his own one day.

Understanding this evolution in my relationship with DJ. This leads me to share some practical steps. Tools, and insights that have been invaluable in strengthening our bond and understanding.

Step 1: Learn about your child's interests without judgment. Learn to listen more, and ask more questions. Go seven layers deep with your with your questioning. Don't interrogate and show genuine interest in what it is that there does.
Step 2: Offer support and resources, not directives. Once you understand what it is they're building and what the vision is. You can come to the table with something that they can digest. Understanding what resources and what you can do to help will be key. Seeing you as a trusted ally instead of someone pushing an agenda.
Step 3: Collaborate on a project, understanding it’s a shared learning experience. Now that you've brought something to the table. You have a clear understanding of their POV now you can be of use.

Tools

Practical Engagement Steps:

Engage with your children’s interests through:

Listening Without Judgment.
Show genuine interest and ask deep, insightful questions.
Offering Support, Not Directives:
Understand their vision and offer resources and guidance, not commands.
Collaborating on Projects each project as a shared learning experience, building respect and understanding.

A.A.R ^{( After Action Review )} Embracing Change and Collaboration

Fellas, as we've journeyed through my son’s YouTube adventure. We've uncovered several key lessons.

Not about parenting, but about life. Our approach to change, technology, and leadership. Let's turn them into actionable steps:

Embrace Change: like our kids, we need to be open to new ways of doing things. Whether it's a new social media platform or a different approach to the problem.

Solving the problem is easy when you are adaptable.

Understand the Digital Landscape: Our children are growing up in a digital world. We must understand and navigate this landscape. Balancing the benefits and challenges it brings.

Lead by Learning: The old belief that parents must always lead and children must follow is outdated.

We can learn as much from our children as they can from us. Areas where they have more experience or insight.

My experience with him showed me the importance of shifting from a director to a collaborator. This approach not only fosters a better relationship. It respects and nurtures our children's independence and creativity.

Respect Their Journey:

Each child is on their journey. Our role is to equip them with the necessary tools and values. Step back and let them carve their path like DJ did.

Remember, the road of fatherhood, is much like the hero’s journey. Filled with challenges and learning opportunities.

Each step we take towards understanding, adapting, and collaborating with our children. It not only helps them grow but also adds value to ours.

Take these lessons and apply them, both in our families and in our roles as professionals.

These principles can guide you in leading and living a life aligned with your core values.

Share stories and insights, and let’s learn from each other’s experiences. Together, we're not fathers, husbands, and professionals. We are lifelong learners and leaders in this journey.

Attack every day!

Drew Cameron