Frequently Asked Questions

Who are you again?

My name is Edmund Farrow a.k.a. DadsDinner@DadsDinner.com. I have three children whom I look after full-time. My previous jobs include tractor driver, blackcurrant sorter, physics student, computer programmer and preacher. I'm a Christian and a writer. I've had various shows performed and a few sketches published. I've also got a Celtic fantasy novel collecting another rejection slip as we speak.

What qualifies you to write about children and being a housedad?

I don't have any relevant formal qualifications but did I mention the three children under eight I look after full-time? I've had years of poor sleep, wiping up dribble and being showered in vomit. I've had my share of successes, failures, disasters and pleasant surprises. I've also had a nasty dose of depression. Raising children has taught me all kinds of things and I want to pass the knowledge on.

A bit of sympathy wouldn't hurt either.

So you're a housedad... Isn't that unnatural and against all the laws of God and man?

No.

Are you sure?

Yes.

Why is all this stuff about computer games and films and things on a site about being a housedad?

It's important to have something to talk about other than children. The problem is that there aren't many mums at parent-and-toddler who want to discuss why Sonic doesn't work in 3D or which movies featuring explosions are best. I'm writing about what I enjoy. (I don't get out much).

Who's Dave

Dave is a fictional housedad who receives regular correspondence from Ed, another fictional housedad. These letters can be read here. Ed is a bit like me. Any resemblance between any of the other characters and any real people is entirely unfortunate.

Why fictional? Why don't you just write a blog?

I thought this would be more fun. Besides, I want to stay on speaking terms with the wife and kids.

What are all these ads doing here?

Some pin-money would be good for my self-esteem. Actually, just making back my costs would be nice.

Are you available for speaking engagements?

Yes! Preferrably around Edinburgh or in the central belt, unless you can make me a really good offer.

Is Scary Karen real?

Not as such but there are some pretty terrifying mums out there.

Why DadsDinner?

DearDave was taken and I got alliterative Ds stuck in my head. DadsDinner also has a hint of what the site's about but doesn't promise anything specific. I like that.

Are you ever going to add anything to the Handbook?

It's on my to-do list but, then again, I'm also meaning to sort my InBox and that still has Easter deals from Amazon sitting in it. (Easter 2005, that is...)

Can the Dear Dave archives be in chronological order, please?

Technical difficulties here. I'm not sure it's possible with my current setup. I'm hoping to find time to create chronological index pages soon, though.

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