Jason Granado says that becoming a parent is similar to starting an uncharted adventure. Though the thought of being a dad comes with uncertainty, it is also the start of a new, exciting chapter. “I’ve been around kids my whole life, but having one of your own is a different ballgame than just being around my nieces and nephews,” Jason says. “There was definitely some doubt that came with having my own children and realizing that from now on, I wasn’t just taking care of myself and my wife anymore; it became more about my daughters and their needs. But it’s all been worth it. Our girls make our family whole and complete.”
Jason’s wife, Anne, gave birth to their first daughter, Maren, in January 2017. Jason said she felt fragile and small when he held her for the first time. “I definitely feel like there is a sense of fearfulness at first because you don’t want to screw it up. You are sitting there holding that baby that seems so perfect,” Jason says. “However, things were easier with our second daughter, Iris. By then, we kind of knew what to expect, but since our girls were three, almost four, years apart, it was easy to forget all the things that a baby requires. With Iris, we definitely felt like we should know some things, but we actually had to Google a lot!”
Now that the girls are older, it is easier to see their unique personalities and how much they differ from each other. Jason says they are the perfect mixture of him and his wife. “There are times when I really see Maren’s determination and selflessness, which she gets from my wife. But when she is stubborn or witty, I know she got that from me,” Jason says. “Maren works hard to get satisfaction from accomplishing something, but she also tries to please others. She wants to be a great friend, a great daughter, and a great sister. Maren is not happy unless she 100% completes something; whether it be arts and crafts, a math problem, or something athletic, she will keep doing something until she gets it. She doesn’t know what failure is.”
When it comes to his second daughter, Iris, Jason says she has a different way of doing things. He says that she is headstrong, comical, and spontaneous. “She learns by doing, not by necessarily listening to what we have to say on the matter,” Jason says. “But, her ‘Iris-isms’ are so funny that they can turn your day from bad to good. She loves to hug and cuddle and likes to have ‘her people’ around her. She has some of my sarcasm and rowdiness, but she can come into a room and make everyone’s day better just like her mama.”
Jason says that fatherhood has given him a different outlook on life, and being a dad has caused him to work at setting aside his own ego to be the best provider and teacher for his girls. “You don’t want to instill your flaws in your kids. To the best of your ability, you want them to be a better version of you,” Jason says. “I also think being a ‘girl dad’ has required me to become a softer, more empathetic person. My girls want to talk about their feelings, and that’s not always comfortable for me, but I have tried to be more sensitive about how I say things or approach things with them.”
Though he often gets asked about having a son, Jason says he is pleased with having daughters and has the best of both worlds. “I love being a ‘girl dad.’ The girls go from playing princesses and dressing up one minute to the next minute doing all the typical ‘guy’ stuff with me. I get to practice being more in touch with my emotions, and then, we are out on the golf course, wrestling or playing soccer,” Jason says. “We just really want to empower the girls to be bold and brave in pursuing their goals and dreams. In today’s world, a woman has to be strong to have some of the same opportunities.”
The biggest challenge Jason has had to overcome as a parent is learning to take a step back and not let his overprotective tendencies get in the way of allowing the girls to grow. “I’ve had to learn to let them make mistakes without stepping in,” Jason says. “It’s also a challenge to be a good disciplinarian. I don’t want the girls to not show manners or be complete rascals, but I don’t want to be so hard on them that I break their spirit. There’s a fine line to walk.”
Being a parent is not easy, and though every new experience brings a lesson, Jason says he has had a lot of fun along the journey. He loves to watch the girls ride bikes and scooters in the driveway and tube at the lake. He says their laughter is infectious when playing board or card games. Jason also loves that the girls are adventurous and will try new things, and though he can’t narrow it down to a favorite memory, he says that both Maren and Iris have overcome obstacles this year that have made him proud. “These past few years, Maren really impressed me. She decided that she wanted to apply for the Lighthouse Team, which promotes leadership at her school, so she went and got the application and filled it out. She even did an interview, and she’s seven years old!” Jason says. “Then, Iris started Pre-K 3 this year as a shy, timid girl who didn’t talk much but has really stepped out of her comfort zone. She has become the most talkative, friendly, outgoing bundle of joy!”
Though it’s rewarding to witness the girls’ successes, Jason says his biggest hope is that they grow into Christian women who love others. “The godliness they show is what makes me the most proud. I love that I have girls who want to be involved and active in our church, and it means the most to me when I hear stories about them being kind or showing love and respect to someone,” Jason says. “Just this past weekend, Maren had a chance to score a goal in soccer, but she wanted a younger girl on the team to have an opportunity. So, she passed the ball. Those are the kinds of things that make me proud to be their dad.”
Jason says he still has a lot to learn as a dad, but he will enjoy every minute he has to make memories with his girls. “I love being a father because I get to be a provider, teacher, coach, friend, and protector to my kids,” Jason says. “I just love their outlook on life. They love to celebrate, have fun, and make every day better. I love to watch them grow and to see life through their eyes.”
Fun Facts:
1. My dream Father’s Day would include enjoying time with my wife and girls.
2. The secret to being a great dad is listening to your child’s needs.
3. If I could go on a trip with my kids, I’d love to go to the lake because that’s our favorite place to be as a family.
4. The one thing I wish I had known about parenting is how great it is; no one can explain it to you before you experience it yourself.
5. The best gift my kids could ever give me would be their handmade cards because the cards they make really embody who they are as a person and their thoughtfulness.