September 03, 2022

Notes on Fatherhood | From Bede

On the approach to Father’s Day, co-founder Bede Aldridge reflects on being a father to five boys, and what having children means to him.

Being a father brings me much joy. From the moment our sons were born I have loved to watch their curiosity of the world, observe their play, and give them the tools for imagination and adventure.

Becoming a father is special and vested with importance, casting its impact, long into the future. As a father, one of our first thoughts must surely turn to legacy - of passing on the most important skills and knowledge that one deems worthy and essential for this young person's future good.

My father is a good man and he passed on essential skills. I grew up knowing I would be loved and supported for the decisions I would make - a benefit I probably took for granted at the time. My father was always making stuff. It was often varied and random in nature, but he always had a new project on the go. And they were often totally unrelated skills from one project to the next. From making wooden boxes, carpentry, to welding, making post and rail horse yards and fences, and plaiting leather belts. Creating his own little “gadget" for doing a specific job - there’s probably not much he did not have a go at. I attribute much of what I learned for my life, from him, including my love for making and experimenting in the workshop.

On a personal level, two such 'essentials' of legacy that I am now seeking to pass on to my children are the skills of making, and knowledge of the one who made us. For it is in the knowledge of creation that we find our purpose. We are here intentionally and live with this in mind.

" I often consider ways to pass a maker's mindset on to my own boys. "

In the process of making, we learn valuable ways to live out a practical expression for imagination. In making, we are giving something of ourselves to others, and seeking to leave the world a better place with well-made creations that are both useful and beautiful. Both of these things give us purpose.

Many people understand this innate, and indeed 'compulsive' need to make. For most of us, the urge comes from deep within, with the need to put imagination into practice. We take an idea, create a concept, gather materials, ‘hook in’ and make an idea come to life. The results are the maker's legacy. I often consider ways to pass a maker's mindset on to my own boys.

"Children pick up our values and ethos without us even doing a thing. They soak up our presence. They look up to us, and copy what they see us do. Kids will take their own rendition of who we are into adulthood, so may we consider this impact deliberately - in order to help them 'adult' themselves through life."

Above: Bede is seen with the new Saddler's Briefcase and Albert with the Kipling Leather Satchel

Children pick up our values and ethos without us even doing a thing. They soak up our presence. They look up to us, and copy what they see us do. Kids will take their own rendition of who we are into their adulthood to help them navigate life.

Why should we not be intentional as fathers, and leave some creative pieces of ourselves on purpose? We can do this by spending time together, doing something we can both value now, and into the future.

Let us not be deterred from making good impressions on our children and stifle the good intentions that are often hidden in our hearts. As a father, we are one of the most central male figures in our children’s life. As their dad, let's love them and teach them well. Or let's be a dad to someone else’s child who is missing a father figure. Let's be the man this world needs us to be.

Words by Bede Aldridge | Photography by Nat Salloum | Dubbo NSW