Yay for Father’s Day. Let’s celebrate fathers and father-like figures everywhere for all the caring, encouraging and mentoring they do!
Dads are often called on to offer advice and teach everyday life skills – that’s their specialty. Whether it’s how to fix a leaky faucet, prune an azalea the right way or manage money, they come to the rescue with their words of wisdom.
What dad hasn’t heard, “Dad, how do I…?”
Well, Rob Kenney sure has and this dad is always more than happy to dole out handy DIY advice for everyday home fixes and life fixes to all his “kids” – millions of them!
Kenney’s practical “dadvice” has made him a YouTube sensation – his “Dad, How Do I?” channel has more 5.2 million subscribers and growing! Across multiple platforms, he has close to 7 million followers and is known the world over as the “Internet Dad.”
Fix those pesky home problems
“I never ever thought I’d go viral. I started the channel ‘Dad, How Do I?’ in April of 2020 thinking I would help 30 or 40 people learn some life skills. However, by the end of May, I had over 1 million subscribers!” Kenney, a homeowner and dad of two adult children, tells Custodia.
In his gentle, fatherly manner, the 61 year old offers guidance on how to repair pesky home problems; everything from fixing a clogged sink and a running toilet to installing a ceiling fan or changing a door, and so much more. And viewers will also find wholesome tutorials on basic life tasks: Frying an egg? No problem. Shave your face? Lather up with Kenney. Baking a cake? Sweet. His how-to tie a tie video garnered more than 3 million views!
Rob Kenney is an amazing dad, handyman and homeowner who offers practical “dadvice” on his incredibly popular YouTube channel “Dad, How Do I?” (Image supplied)
The warm, humble Kenney – think Mr. Rogers – started the channel 5 years ago because he wanted to teach valuable skills to kids who, like him, didn’t have a dad growing up. Well, now he’s a virtual dad to millions of all ages – there are even 80-year-old “kids” that come to his channel for some friendly advice.
“Learning to fix things around the house helps build confidence and empowers you to be independent. A lot of simple fixes can also save you lots of money over time!” says Kenney, who just returned from Stockholm where he shared his inspirational story alongside other speakers, including Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.
Abandoned by his dad
A dad of all trades and self-proclaimed introvert, Kenney didn’t set out to become the Internet’s Dad but doing something so positive helps him power through a virtual world so different from his once simple, private life. “I’m truly honoured and blessed to have been given the platform. My channel is for anyone and everyone that could use a little help or encouragement.”
Kenney could have used some of that support when his dad abandoned the family of eight kids; although he harbours no bitterness and long ago forgave his father, the experience motivates him to lift others with kindness, compassion and heartfelt advice that would have benefited him.
“I think my channel resonates because my dad left when I was 14, and I had to learn a lot of basic things the hard way. I do believe it gives me a level of empathy that I wouldn’t otherwise have” – and a whole lot of basic handyman skills too.
Rob Kenney and his family jump for joy – this Father’s Day they’ll be spending some low-key time together, Kenney’s favourite pastime. Image supplied.
Kenney is a former office supply salesman who is now semi-retired and living off – and loving – his YouTube channel. His family is his first love – he’s been married to Annelli for 34 years and they share two successful children, Kristine, 33, and Kyle, 30.
“Forgive and ask for forgiveness”
“I love being a dad to my kids. I tried to enjoy each phase of their childhood, and we still talk several times a week,” says Kenney.
Raising kids is tough work but the greatest work: “We didn’t always do everything right, but I think our kids always knew (still know) that we wanted the best for them.”
His parenting advice: “Forgiving and asking for forgiveness. The reality is you won’t always do things perfectly, so I would set the precedent at an early age that when you do handle something incorrectly, go back to your kids and admit it, and ask them to forgive you. Also be quick to forgive them as well.”
Fixing relationships in general? “Forgiveness is huge. Also, listening to what the other person has to say before talking. So often, we don’t listen because we’re thinking what we’re going to say.”
Give your dad the gift of time
Kenney is the dad the world needs. Aside from his life lessons and dad hacks, he also shares dad chats and encouraging words, telling his watchers how proud he is of them. He also excels at telling bad dad jokes to his captive audience. “My son said he didn’t understand cloning. I told him ‘that makes 2 of us’.” Ahhh!
“Did you hear about the short psychic who escaped from prison? He’s a small medium at large!”
Jokes aside, just what is Kenney doing for Father’s Day? Something very low key with his family. “The best gift my kids can give me is their time.”
