I Used to Be Cool: A Mindfulness Guide for Fathers

You used to be someone before you were "Dad."Then came the diaper bags, the double-booked calendars, the version of yourself that shows up exhausted, distracted, and one wrong word away from losing it. Somewhere between the sleepless nights and the school pickups, it's easy to forget who you were before all of this - and even easier to forget that you can still be him, just wearing a different life.I Used to Be Cool is a mindfulness guide for fathers, written by licensed therapist Jason Stewart, that draws on two of the most mindful physical disciplines on earth - surfing and skateboarding - to offer a fresh, no-nonsense approach to presence, patience, and connection.This isn't another parenting book full of guilt and gold stars. It's eight short, practical chapters built around real practices you can use today: - Reading the Lineup - how to walk through your front door without bringing the whole day in with you- The Pop-Up - committing fully to the moments your kids actually need you present- Eating It - why repair matters more than perfection when you mess up- Style Over Performance - letting go of the "Instagram dad" and finding the version of fatherhood that's actually yours- The Rip Current - a simple tool for working with frustration and guilt instead of getting pulled under by them- Flow State - how to create the conditions where connection happens naturally- Passing the Torch - mindful teaching that builds independence instead of dependence- The Dawn Patrol - why tending to yourself isn't selfish, it's what makes you able to show up at allEach chapter pairs a short, honest reflection with one concrete practice you can start using the same day - no meditation cushion required.You don't have to be a perfect father. You just have to be a present one. This book is a quiet, practical companion for finding your way back to that.