In the latest episode of The Dadsnet Podcast, Chris McCausland joined us in The Dadsnet Studios to talk candidly about raising a child while navigating the world without sight. His story offers a fresh lens on parenting — one that challenges traditional roles and reframes what it really means to be present as a dad.
Adapting, Not Compromising
Chris admits he was terrified about becoming a father. As someone who lost his vision gradually, he worried about what he couldn’t do — the nappies he wouldn’t change, the books he couldn’t read aloud, the things he couldn’t see.
“You can’t trial run being a dad. You can’t just quit halfway if you feel like you’re not good enough.”
But what he found was that parenthood — especially modern parenthood — isn’t about sticking to a script. It’s about adaptability. Where one parent might do the school run or lead the bedtime routine, Chris found new ways to connect with his daughter that didn’t rely on sight.
“She couldn’t point to things for me. So instead, she’d take my hand and put it on what she wanted me to see. That was just how we did things.”
Redefining Roles With Confidence
We often talk about ‘mum jobs’ and ‘dad jobs,’ but Chris’s story proves that those roles are not fixed — they’re fluid. And modern dads are increasingly stepping into spaces they were once told weren’t for them.
“There are things I can’t do. But that just meant we had to divide the tasks based on practicality, not gender.”
Chris didn’t avoid parenting tasks — he reshaped them to fit the reality of his life. And in doing so, he’s helped shift the narrative around what being ‘a hands-on dad’ really means.
Parenting With Perspective
More than anything, Chris credits his daughter for helping him grow into the role. She never questioned the way they communicated. She didn’t think it was odd that he couldn’t see. She just adapted alongside him.
“It’s all she’s ever known. She’s helped me just as much as I’ve helped her.”
It’s a beautiful reminder that parenting isn’t just about teaching — it’s about learning, too. And kids are far more intuitive than we give them credit for.
Why Dadsnet Needed This Conversation
At Dadsnet, we believe modern fatherhood is about presence, openness, and adaptability. Chris’s story is a powerful reflection of that mission — showing how limitations don’t define your ability to parent.
“We all feel like we’re winging it. Some of us just have different challenges to wing it through.”
🎧 Hear the full conversation in the latest episode of The Dadsnet Podcast — a must-listen for any dad navigating the unknowns of parenthood.
Listen on Apple | Listen on Spotify
