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Ryan Salzwedel thinks dads are getting a bad rap in popular culture these days. So he asked a few dads what they expected parenthood to be like, and whether it turned out differently.

Chicago Dad pledges to perform 366 random acts of kindess

Ryan Garcia wanted to show his newborn daughter how good the world is. So he decided to make it better by performing at least one act of kindness a day for a year. 

Daddies and daughters

Regardless of your daughter's age or interests, she needs a connection with you as she ventures out into the world and tries new things. She needs your love, assurance and attention. Girls are deeply influenced by their relationships with their fathers. Her relationship with you can shape the way she feels about herself, future relationships and men. 

 

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Read more in our Parenting section

 

 

Dads, it's your turn to have your own playgroup.

After seeing how many moms' groups there are in the Chicago area, Andersonville dad Richard Owen decided dads should have their turn, too.

So Owen, parent to a 17-month-old daughter, started the Chicago Dads Group in April to give fathers a chance to bond with their kids and other dads.

The 50 or so members, most of whom work full-time, get together for monthly meetings the first Sunday of the month. Special events, such as college planning and Dads Night Out, also are being planned.

Dads of kids newborn to 5 years old are invited to join. Get-togethers are held at Welles Park, 2333 W. Sunnyside Ave., Chicago. For information and a schedule of events, visit meetup.com/Chicago-dads-group.

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