In the latest episode of The Dadsnet Podcast, Chris McCausland joined us in The Dadsnet Studios to talk about life on stage, parenting without sight, and the unexpected superpower of simply making it up as you go along. The comedian, actor, and Strictly Come Dancing star opened up about how his limitations as a blind parent led to something beautifully powerful: complete creative freedom.
For any dad who’s ever felt like they’re winging it — this one’s for you.
The Best Kind of Improv
Chris admits he’s not the “storytime from a book” kind of dad. But what he does offer is something truly magical: full-blown improvised storytelling.
“We made it up. All of it. We made up games, stories — entire worlds — because that’s what we could do.”
With limited access to the usual parenting tools, Chris leaned into imagination and humour. The result? A daughter who now cracks him up more than most of his fellow comedians.
“I’ve worked with the best, but she’s the one who really makes me laugh.”
The Joy of Parenting Outside the Box
Because Chris doesn’t engage with games or toys in the traditional way, parenting has always been about what he can do. And instead of that being a restriction, it became a gateway into a more creative, emotionally-connected way of raising his daughter.
“You find your way. That’s the secret — and that’s enough.”
When You Can’t See, You Still Feel
Parenting without sight might sound like an overwhelming challenge, but Chris reminded us that connection is about far more than what you see. It’s in the tone of voice, the shared jokes, the inside language you build with your child.
“She’s always known how to show me things — not with her eyes, but with her hands. That’s our language.”
Chris’s story is a powerful reminder that being a great parent isn’t about doing it by the book — it’s about showing up in the way only you can.
🎧 Listen to Chris’s full story — and discover why the best dads might just be the ones making it up as they go — on the latest episode of The Dadsnet Podcast.
Listen on Apple | Listen on Spotify
