Parent Profile

Danny May

Meet Danny May, a former editor at Tanner Publishing, a writer for our publications from time to time and someone that our entire staff looks to for good dad advice. Here's a little of that wise advice in honor of Father's Day.

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF.

My name is Danny May. My wife, Kelly, and I celebrated our 20th anniversary this past October and we have two boys, Luke (14) and Beau (12). Kelly and I are both Brescia University graduates. Class of 2000. My whole adult life I've been in ministry or writing full time, and I currently serve as Director of Marriage & Family Life for the Catholic Diocese of Owensboro, but I am far from an expert by any means. I try hard to be better every day though.

WHAT DOES BEING A DAD MEAN TO YOU?

I think there's a huge difference between being a dad and being a good father. Thankfully, I've had many good examples in my life of what a good father is, first and foremost my own. (Thank you, Pop!) One of my favorite lyrics is from a Toby Mac song called "Lose My Soul." It says, "I'm gonna be a daddy who's in the mix. I'm gonna be a husband who stays legit. And I pray that I'm an artist who rises above, the road that is wide and paved with self love." I've said no to a lot of meetings and committees because in my mind there's nothing more important than being home with the boys from 5pm-9pm when they go to bed, especially when they're this age. I only get four hours with them every night, but those committees will survive without me. And as a Catholic man, I believe that loving their mother well is the absolute best thing I can do to teach them how to be good men. Second is to know and serve the Lord.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY AS A PARENT?

Kelly and I have always agreed that we wanted to spend our money on experiences with our boys, not on toys or the latest gadgets or fancy vehicles or whatever. So we take lots of vacations and go on lots of adventures. But if I had to pick one, it would be taking our boys to D.C. on a work trip and watching their eyes light up at the Smithsonian. Or taking Luke to the Titanic Museum for his birthday this year. Or maybe taking Beau to see the largest T-Rex skeleton in the world when he was 5.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST CHALLENGING EXPERIENCE? Watching my son struggle with something I can't help him with.

MOST REWARDING?

Seeing the world through their eyes, for sure. Watching their personalities develop. The funny things they say. The moments I notice they are stronger, or braver, or more confident than I was at their age. I love that.

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU CAN OFFER OTHER PARENTS?

Be patient with yourself; none of this is easy and the only way to learn is to just get in there and go for it. Be kind to yourself; none of us are perfect. Trust your instinct and your gut. No one knows your child better than you do. OP

FATHER'S DAY IS SUNDAY, JUNE 19

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