Robert Kenney of Washington state never set out to have a large family – but he has one now! Well, sort of.
Kenney was never close to his own Dad, even before he left the family when Rob was only 14 y/o. He shares that without a Dad, the father-figure he came to rely on was his older brother, Rick. So when Kenney married and started his own family, he decided to try to be the best Dad he could.
Rob with his wife, Annelli – Married 30 years
When he started getting a lot of “adulting” questions from daughter, Kristine, about how to solve practical issues around the house, he came up with an idea. He asked Kristine what she thought about creating some videos for her, son Kyle, and hopefully his grandkids about gaining a few life skills.
Rob with newborn daughter, Kristine
Kristine’s response: “Dad – that would be brilliant!” Thus was born, “Dad, How Do I …?”.
It began with modest issues Rob was familiar with – how to tie a tie (his first video), how to jump start a car, how to fix a squeaky door. He put the videos on YouTube believing this would be a permanent library for his kids and grandkids, and maybe a few of their friends.
But he had no idea they would become so popular.
In trying to explain his overwhelming success, Rob admits he is not reinventing the wheel: “There are 500 other channels that will tell you how to tie a tie.” But he believes what has led to his gaining 2.3 MILLION subscribers is kindness. He feels he talks to the camera like he would to his own children. Besides, the internet, “doesn’t have an algorithm for kindness.”
He sprinkles his folksy “How To” videos with lots of corny Dad jokes (“I was going to go on an all almond diet. But then I thought, that’s just nuts!”) and common sense with a huge helping of compassion and caring. From the comments he gets on the YouTube videos, he believes that lots of younger folks are missing having connections with their parents – and he hopes he’s helping fill that void.
To enjoy a sampling, just head to his YouTube library of “Dad, How Do I?” and settle back for some fatherly know-how along with some good advice.
Practical “Dadvice” for Everyday Tasks
But be sure to watch his most popular video – “I Am Proud of You” – that didn’t teach a thing … other than how to be a mensch.
“I get emotional…. I put out a video, and I basically just said, ‘I’m proud of you, I love you, God Bless you,’ and some comments said they’ve never been told that someone is proud of them,” recalled Kenney.
Oh, to put your minds at ease … he did reconcile with his own Father shortly before he passed. So it looks like the Circle of Life was completed. So here’s the happy Kenney family:
SOURCES:
8 Responses to “Friday Fun: Dad “Adopts” 2.3 MILLION Kids! Happy Father’s Day!”
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Such a wonderful, fantastic, and loving nod to ALL Dads out there!
The video was so sweet, with such warm and kind words.
There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of my father.
He was a kind and loving man, and I miss him every single day.
My deep regret is that I didn’t have a chance to say ‘goodbye’ to him.
I’ll leave it at that. Love you, Dad !!
Thank you, Nameless for your heartwarming post.
Happy Father’s Day! to ALL our Dads out there.
Oh my. Yes, there are way too many people who, for one eason or another, desperately need affirmation from a father.. Including many whose fathers are alive and well. I couldn’t help but be reminded of the wonderful guys who go to Pride events with T-shirts reading “Free Dad hugs” – and the stories they tell (and there are also women who give “free Mom hugs.”)
At this time in our culture there is a misconception being passed off as natural which isn’t helping – the nature of the “alpha male.” You see, all the studies on wolves which established that concept were done with wolves in captivity. Wolves in the wild aren’t like that. The actual alpha wolf in the wild has one job – to protect his pack – ALL of his pack – and everything else takes second (or third, or fourth) place. All those dudes who think they are alphas – aren’t. They are just caged animals. This leaves a lot of people hurting. Thank heaven for Mr. Kenney. Long live his videos.
Nameless, that looks like a very fun way to pass on wisdom. Kudos to Robert Kenney, and to you for publishing this!
Now, that’s one wonderful way to do Fatherhood!
What an amazing Dad, Robert Kennedy is. I applaud him for coming up with his website that answers the questions curious kids ask.
I want to wish all fathers everywhere a “Happy Father’s Day”.
Great post, Nameless
Thanks Nameless.
I’m sure your heartwarming post is appreciated by many Dads, and kids, across America, Nameless. Such a loving way to wish all fathers in the US a Happy Fathers Day.
OKAY….you wanted me weepy-eyed for some reason? What a wonderful man!
Thanks Nameless. He taps into filling the needs akin to why Big Brothers was created for youngsters–yet does it in a way that would also meet the needs of many young adults. Wonderful choice.