Fab Dads: Wisconsin

Fab Dad: John Shoemaker

John Shoemaker is a dad of five youngsters and the founder and creative director of Backflip Creative Marketing Studio in Madison. In true dad fashion, he is selflessly spending Father’s Day celebrating the summer birthdays of four of his children.

Dad to: Rowan, 11; Hazel, 9; Winnie, 7; Felix, 3; and June, 9 months

Hometown: Mayville, WI

Favorite ways to spend family time in WI: We love to hit up the local restaurants in Mount Horeb on Sundays after mass. The Grumpy Troll is a favorite. Another annual highlight is our yearly camping trip to the Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest with my wife’s family. When we find time for it, we also love to hit up either the local parks or Devil’s Lake.

Your most rewarding fatherhood moment: Taking all of my kids along with my wife on our 10-year anniversary trip to a beach house in Florida. Watching them play and forge lifelong memories on that family vacation is still one of my fondest memories.

Biggest challenge as a dad: Making sure to remember to have fun. Sometimes life and work feels stressful and heavy. It’s good to remember to do it all and just goof around with the kids.

A father who inspires you and why: My own father has to be my biggest inspiration. It’s amazing the perspective you gain about your own parents after you start having children of your own – the sacrifices, all the things they did, all the things you suddenly realize they did that you never knew about. I hope to match my father’s tremendous generosity in my life and in the lives of my kids.

Best piece of advice for a new dad: Give up your life for your family, and you’ll receive it back 10-fold.

Your biggest hope for your children: I hope they will grow up to love others sacrificially and stay committed to each other as siblings.

How are you celebrating Father’s Day: Actually, we’re celebrating the kids! Two early-summer birthdays and two mid-summer birthdays make Father’s day weekend the perfect time for a big party with friends and family.

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