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“When I was 14 my dad chose to not have kids anymore, I didn’t realize that was an option,” said Rob Kenney, creator of the ‘Dad, how do I?’ YouTube channel.
Kenney’s channel isn’t your typical YouTube channel, and the attention it has received isn’t typical either.
Tying a tie, changing a tire, building a shelf, these are just a few things that Kenney shows people how to do.
“I thought this information could be useful for someone who doesn’t have a dad around,” Kenney explained.
There is certainly a lot of people who are interested in this information, as Kenney has amassed more than 2 million subscribers in just a little over two months.
A comment on the ‘Dad, how do I?’ YouTube channel.
Kenney was very surprised by how much attention his page had received, as well as being upset by how many people wrote about a lack of a father figure in their lives.
“There is a great need for it. So emotionally, trying to get my head around the brokenness in the world…It can be a little overwhelming,” said Kenney.
“People have said they have never heard their parents say they are proud of them, which is beyond me. I tell my kids I’m proud of them all the time.”
Kenney has two kids of his own, a son and a daughter.
He said they encouraged him to make the channel for people who might be missing out on some of these life skills.
“I have a list of things that I wish I had known when I was younger,” added Kenney. “I learned how to tie a tie from my roommate when I was 20.”
The channel isn’t just for kids, as Kenney says he wants to inspire other dads too.
“I want to try to encourage other people and other dads who might have gotten off track, to get back on track. I’m trying to encourage some dad’s to repair broken relationships,” said Kenney.
When asked about the idea of operating his channel full-time, he was uncertain.
“I sell office supplies for a company called complete office, they have been gracious about allowing me some leeway. I am a cautious person, I built my career over thirty years. I have a lot of customers that count on me. I don’t want to abandon what I built,” said Kenney.
Despite how busy he might be, he has a lot of plans for his channel.
As he plans to upload a how-to video every Thursday, a video on Tuesday describing how certain tools work, as well as reading a book once a month.
“There is more to being a dad than tying a tie,” Kenney said. “There’s encouraging words, dad advice, I am hoping to branch out and make a difference.”