A Letter to My Kids | The Fatherhood Project

As a dad, nothing makes you happier than to see your kids flourish. This week, Corbyn shares a letter to his kids about what he thinks it means to be happy, to find love and to live for others. In his own words, "When it comes to fatherhood you can't teach your kids everything. This is the secret stuff that we as dad's want our kids to know through experience and living life."
Filmmaker Corbyn Tyson explores what it means to be a good dad. This is a series that looks at what it means to be a father today.
Written and Produced by Corbyn Tyson
www.corbyntyson.net
twitter: @corbyntyson
Crew:
Matt Youngblood
Jared Cacciatore
Scott Zibell
Special Thanks:
SVL Productions
Ryne Estwing
Music:
Footprints On a Bed - Louis and the Hunt
louisandthehunt.bandcamp.com/a...
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How do students react when high school boys are treated like women in Congress?? CLICK HERE to find out!
• High School Boys Treat...
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[@anna12910]

maaaannn soul freaking pancake is like warm hugs and fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and pretty flowers and happy puppies and everything else that's good in life bundled up and smushed in your face

[@ashactingup3330]

YES. Love this. As someone with a Dad who taught me to do DIY, build a summerhouse, scuba dive, explore and enjoy the small things, and who I make time to spend quality time with as much as I can (tonight is open air theatre and a picnic!) I so agree with this!

[@yonatasha1291]

"chase love when you fall in love dive in, head first and don't look back" how sweet

[@simonmwangi421]

I just gave my dad a kiss on the cheek!It was too touching😱😭😘

[@staciemounts729]

Beautiful words.

[@rachellow7277]

my dad's not around anymore so these videos mean a lot to me and my brothers. we don't have our dad around to tell us the things that Corbyn shared but knowing my dad, he would've thought us the same things as my brothers and i were growing up. his kids are such a lucky bunch to have a father like him

[@laurahamdi9697]

This was so beautiful! I just wanted to cry! These words came from the soul and they were so true. I love this. Dads are awesome😍😍

[@doit3936]

Wow that moved me a lot and was so beautiful. I wish I had a dad or family like that, everyone should appreciate such a family.

[@andyzubia2545]

thank you for this....it has opened my eyes

[@MsGingersrock]

"Belief is my true north" well said. This segment made me cry, it's 100% authentic and I love that.

[@chevellestalling]

No, I'm not crying! I have something in my eye!

[@brothapipp]

so, if this is the end of the series, thank you. best series yet. single, no kids, but this was good food for thought and a good reflection time. I hope that the soul pancake crew will continue to in this vein of exploration, after all, people, us people, we have people issues, and its nice to have normal people to use as a medium for conversation and for conversation it self. i appreciate you all!

[@TheFallensChannel]

..

[@Sadidesifamily]

That was beautiful. As a father should be. Awesome wonderful

[@RoboticScribble]

Absolutely some of the best advice I've ever heard! This guy has such a poetic way with words. Even though that wasn't addressed to me, thank you.

[@TheKike1591]

Must be nice to have a father.

[@HumanJoseph]

This makes me proud to be a father. Reminds us of our true north. Well done!

[@HandicapThis]

Touching video with powerful sentiments! While I'm not a father I have experienced the strong bond as a son and witnessed an unrelenting commitment from my co-star Mike's father Denis. Being a father to a son with Mike's severe physical disability creates emotional challenges, challenges Denis handles so well.

[@zaffean]

I'll definitely do this to my future children. This has touched my heart...

[@A98W]

I we'll up every time I watch one of these vids there so great

[@thomasthepomes1184]

A wonderful video. And a wonderful letter to your kids. I enjoy every video from you.

[@thecreativebasement2454]

The ideas in this video could make the difference between raising a happy and content child. Such a beautiful video

[@LucidEnigma21]

So awesome

[@nicolewilliams3434]

Just beautiful 😊

[@supbernadette]

I'm a 16 year old girl and this made me teary eyed. Just beautiful.

[@sqaushistarship2605]

How are you now? How are your 20s treating you?

[@joyjoyoo]

I remember my dad wrote something similar after I was born...Love you , dad!

[@wienerderivat]

wow, this is so honest, beautiful and touching.

[@Dealyon]

Damn... this video makes me want to run home and hug my kids. Thank you for sharing!

[@17snaxaday]

Very lovely this gives me back what reality tv is taking from us

[@iMinnie10]

Beautiful

[@scottmclaren9024]

Brilliant.

[@popandkidsdonate4640]

That was nice! HAPPY FATHERS DAY TO OUR POP!X3

[@taytertottt]

No, I'm not crying! Why would you ask such a question?

[@solbee350]

That was beautiful *tears*

[@DavidCarachure1]

Loved this!

[@loveb1790]

My dad died when I was 5 years old. Now I'm 22, I miss him so much.

[@marymoore3048]

Awesome

[@PreePonee]

I'm not even a dad and I got a lumpy throat.

[@Superman20000]

and you will never be... ;) wink wink

[@PreePonee]

I know ***** :(

[@Superman20000]

KaitTate you can be my dad.... Dad, take my clothes off lol

[@PreePonee]

I don't know what your father did to you, but I'm sorry.

[@Superman20000]

KaitTate haha im kidding... duh!!! :D and i sure had some laughs, sorry, i didn't mean to offend you or make you uncomfortable. :D Have a great day and again sorry :)

[@almirabeta2768]

My parents are divorced and I only get love from my mom but this video was beautiful.

[@lkmerks1]

I wish some days that my dad would be like that. That he would be there for me and care about me. I not talking about giving me food and things I don't need. I'm talking about the real things like a father-son moment. Currently when I post this I am 15 so maybe he could change and actually care about me and not just for him. My brother sort of gave up and doesn't really ever talk to him well at least when he move out which was 4 years ago. We never talk to dad cause he never talks to us every time I go to his house I do nothing with him and I always ask too like to watch a movie or play catch which has never happened before. So this video makes me a tad sad but I'm happy for his kids and that they have a dad thats there for them.

[@DafitaFunk]

Damn it, guys you always make me cry !

[@simvirgi]

Truly moving :)

[@bladethorn]

I laughed aloud and teared up.

[@TylerMayMedia]

This is great! Holy crap your set design is always fantastic!

[@michaelrosche]

This is amazing.

[@DarrellElmerRodgers]

BRAVO!!!! Well said, Well delivered.

[@TheSummerSometimes]

Love the vids!

[@PaulpaulHuffle]

I expect a reaction video from each of them right before they leave for college or graduate high school!

[@mainefan01]

crying omg

[@theresajoyce]

I cried

[@rabergeron28]

That was beautiful, gave me all the warm fuzzies :)

[@eatsleepswiification]

I'm just going to throw this out there... Boys and girls are different.

[@ewstaeger]

Just gonna point out about the money part... He's in a nice house, obviously has means and is writing the letter on a macbook... Still, great vid.

[@ttOORttUUGAA]

Great video!

[@maxthierssalvo2752]

dude, you made me cry.

[@HienLe-oz7eb]

This is so nice. I believe he is gonna be a good father :D

[@BeatrizVasquez]

❤️

[@plek3431]

awww

[@elyse372]

How can anyone dislike this.. its amazing

[@Himaryous]

As you've probably read, some of us found it male chauvinistic and we expressed our opinion. Not everyone is going to agree on what is amazing.

[@elyse372]

Himaryous was`t asking anyone to agree with me.

[@Meeniem]

This is so cute 😊

[@noellestakes9556]

I KNEW the first thing he would say to the girl would be something about how beautiful she is. I appreciate that, by why is that always the number one thing said to little girls? It places this importance on looks when the emphasis should be placed on her capabilities and personality.

[@linaAvijon]

Quite the opposite :) He wants her to know she IS beautiful just as she is and she has to be proud of herself regardless of what socitey promotes (because it is not about being flawless like on a poster, but being perfect in all of your imperfections :) )

[@FrappMocha]

Telling her and reassuring your daughter that SHE IS BEAUTIFUL NO MATTER WHAT is the first thing, as they grow up, needs to grasps. It is the ultimate confidence builder. Confidence > Insecurities, bullying, heartbreaks. Confidence trumps all.

[@claespetersson1812]

This open letter from whoever wrote it is beautiful. I am glad for this father and his love for his children, if only you guys in US had the same previlege as we in Sweden have. Im talking only about the parental leave, i am sure many of you fathers in US would love what we have in our democratic socialist country.

[@tiwaryshailesh]

This was good

[@internetexploreer]

omg wow.

[@Inannawhimsey]

wow, this is quite the movie :3

[@sar983]

😊

[@killlamas57]

My question is: Would he say this to his daughter? Without changing a word?

[@DanielMurabito]

"Happiness is a choice"

[@user-xh3zb8dg2t]

SO how beautiful, is this worldly life,, but not a soul shall remain,, we've all come into this world Only to leave it one day,,look l can see everything around me, rises then fades away,,SO life is just passing moment ,, no thing is mean to stay ,,

[@Conturnal]

So many people complaining about the advice he gave the daughter. 1. This is a video on the internet, not actually all the advice he is ever going to give his children for ever. It's nice to see all the different things he wants to say to each of his children. If he told them all the same thing it would seem like he doesn't care for their individual lives. 2.Being a Dad, he knows what he enjoyed growing up as a boy and wants to pass that onto his sons, but he doesn't know what it's like to grow up as a girl. However, he does know the pressures that can be put on girls by society and wants to let his own daughter know that she should not change for anyone.

[@deeplyconfused13]

This is lovely. It's wonderful, but I do have a slight problem. His advice for his sons is to work hard, be independent, be smart, build and create etc, and his main advice for his daughter was to... find love. Yeah he said "be confident" but the main point was to find a nice man! It strikes me as a little sad. Apart from that it's beautiful, but that annoyed me.

[@russelloats]

So could of used this when I was growing up :,(

[@TheBowchikawowow1]

👍😪

[@Alenag143]

What is the name of this song???

[@abbythacker3936]

lol, at the beginning, I thought it said, letter Tomy kids. :3

[@stashaaddison5430]

He didn't write anything to max?

[@zakoush05]

Oh no these aren't tears...my eyes are just leaking

[@Pickwow]

I love my......oh wait I don't have one

[@arishachan777]

Hmm, as a daughter, I wouldn't want to receive the message this dad gave to his.

[@notthatlame]

Power YAY Why sad and/or mad? I don't see it, but please do explain

[@woodstock767]

Pert everything he said to his sons was about either working hard or being adventurous, and what he said to his daughter was a quick "don't let people tell you what to do because you're a girl" and then the rest of it was about "finding love" like that's the most important thing she'll ever do.

[@xandervalays852]

Nobody asked what message you'd like to receive

[@kishamajors]

Very awesome! That's right, be YOU because no one else can be as perfect as you can be. :)

[@TheHuntGallery]

To bad you missed the picture he's speaking to all his children. Why do we always have to find the negative. This dad loves his kids.

[@Himaryous]

TheHuntGallery This had a lot of negative to find. Didn't have to look for it.

[@Himaryous]

ChauvInistic. In this letter the dad tells his son to go on adventures, work with his hands, hitchhike and work hard. He tells his daughter she's beautiful, to fall in love and listen to her mother after brief lip service to equality before going on to address them jointly.

[@RiotBrained]

Lovely sentiments but shows how rife sexism still really is. Sons get encouraged to hitchhike and take grand adventures. To work hard, and do exciting things. Daughter gets told to remember she's beautiful and how to fall in love.

[@barambus]

:)

[@parninigames8723]

:")

[@chuckgarcia6164]

1st

[@svetlanachasnyk1268]

;) I wish I had a husband like him

[@devoncooper1000]

Watch "The Great Patriarch" under devoncooper1000 it's a powerful movie about fathers

[@MarkSchwendau]

Great job! Loved seeing you at Heartland today as well. Keep up the creative stuff! Heartland has brought it out of me as well... www.MusicHitsTheMark.com.

[@ellinorhansson7118]

I enjoyed the video, but I reacted to how he told his son to be adventurous and drive a motorcycle, while showing images of him out and about, and told his daughter totally different things. He told her about love and showed footage of her at the hair salon, told her she was beautiful. How come she didn't have to drive a stick? or a motorcycle? Why did he talk about her looks, and not his sons looks? Does her confidence really lie in men's (or just people's) opinion of her? I'm a strong believer in raising girls and boys the same way, that's the only way to end patriarchy.

[@papillonchou09]

I think the point is that society places a lot of pressure on girls to look and feel a certain way from an extremely young age and it's pretty much gotten to the point of no return. Everyone woman has and will have to experience this at some point in their life, whether they like it or not. He obviously wants to reassure his daughter. To tell her that she is beautiful and worthwhile even if society is screaming that she is not. These words are so much more useful to her than learning how to drive a stick. The life lesson that he is trying to teach her is an integral lesson to everyone woman's life and without it she will fall. Humans need reassurance and they need care and sometimes it had to come in different lessons.

[@ellinorhansson7118]

papillonchou09 Yes you are right! But I still think that he puts her value as a person in her beauty, and thus contributing to the norm that girls need to be "pretty". The point I'm trying to make is that your body is only a bag that carries your personality, opinions and experiences. That's a much more healthy thing to teach your daughter, rather than to tell her that she is beautiful. But I do agree with you.

[@rl126]

@Ellinor Hansson: Yeaaa, and another way to end patriarchy is that from now on women throw themselves to the frontlines of the theaters of war of this world - pleasing their warmongering governments with their death toll, from now on women are seen on the hottest summer days as dust covered construction site workers, serving as swat-team members or military surgeons as well as bin women. From now on women are dedicating the lion's share of their salary to their husbands, their house, besides also taking care of the personal and educational needs of their children. When there is risky scientific research to be done, women are the first to volunteer - readily taking all kinds of health risks.... that're just a few ways of many on how to end patriarchy!

[@ellinorhansson7118]

Raid Lobster OMG you're so right!!!!!!!! There has never been anyone more victimized than a (white) male, and there never will be. thank you for making this clear. I will from now on start playing my gender role in this theater of hell.

[@satanarchyb7824]

Sexist, but wrapped up in camera angles, filters and home videos. With heartwarming family stuff about his father and his wife. Even though he tells his daughter not to be defined by being a girl, he tells her that beauty is one of the main things for her to learn. He told his sons to learn things that where 1950's male standards and what he told her that to get someone to love her is the most important thing for her. How far have we really come humanity? how far is freedom?

[@xandervalays852]

Omfg, can you please stop that?

[@berlinwall6674]

Agree

[@grandmama536]

Do not hitch hike.

[@maxjosephwheeler]

I wish American Society wouldn't treat Fathers so unequally.....sad

[@ashlytoashes]

It bothers me how your one lasting message to your daughter revolves around her beauty and her future love life rather than her personality and work ethic like it did with your sons.

[@grammarnazi12]

I would just like to say that I see your point, but as a daughter, I think that what he said is exactly what I would want to hear from my father. This is NOT because I don't think girls should work hard and make their way in the world just like any other person, but because I think that looking back at my childhood/teenage years, the things I struggled with most and the deepest insecurities I had were always about beauty, about defining my self worth based on what guys thought of me. Maybe that is not the case for everyone, but society puts a lot of pressure on girls in those aspects, and that is the most reassuring thing my dad could ever say to me.

[@watifyerite]

grammarnazi12 If this was my father I would be very disappointed. Maybe this would have been what I wanted to hear when I was younger but it is not what I should have heard. Insecurities have plagued me about my beauty and have held me back in many respects. I have come to a wobbly understanding of my body, that it is not perfect, but that it doesn't matter, that it is a brilliant thing as it allows me to live and walk and do. My blemishes and cellulite do not devalue me as a person. I think we spend to much time telling the insecure that they are beautiful, because I think no matter how many time you are told it the insecurities remane. I think we need to work on telling people it doesn't matter, that unreasonable standards and values are put on women, and there is no need to conform to them. We need to tell girls that they are so much more than a body, that they are so much more than beautiful.

[@WickedSnake87]

Weyull fukk

[@beautifybernie4200]

Cliche cliche cliche. This sounds like something you'd find on tumblr.

[@brigdurber6377]

i know it was not your intention, but it was sexism

[@sparstangled]

Wow, this guy wants his his son to be adventurous and his daughter to be pretty and find a man? Great.

[@above4ever]

Yeah it's bothersome how the guys were supposed to work with their hands and be adventurous, while the girl was just pretty and supposed to find love....

[@momentarydogma]

Sorry, but this is so lame... "living for others is the secret sauce"? So ridiculously obvious and cheesy... at first it was painful? For real?

[@3nergyst]

While well intentioned, this video perpetuates some concerning and classic role inequality. Boys should work with their hands and ride motorcycles while girls should be concerned about what their real beauty is and hold on to love when the hopefully find it.