About Like a Dad

Like a Dad is a website where I write about parenting teens, grilling on my Big Green Egg, technology, and everyday life while raising a family in Toronto.

The site started when I chose to take parental leave with our second son and began writing about the experience from a dad’s point of view.

At the time, the blog world was dominated by moms, and I wanted to share the other side. A lot of the parenting advice that existed was a little too templated for my liking. Real life with kids is messier than that. Writing became a way to share the small moments, the mistakes, and the things you figure out along the way.

My kids are teenagers now, and the site has evolved along with them. What started as writing about early parenting gradually expanded into the things I spend time on now. That includes grilling in the backyard, books, TV shows, and a deeper dive into technology like generative AI, including tools such as ChatGPT and Claude (my favourite).

Interested in partnering with Like a Dad? Learn why you probably should.

About Me

Hello, I’m Michael Cusden, a dad of two teenage boys living in Toronto.

Outside the site, I work in digital marketing. Writing and building audiences online has always been part of that world, which has carried over into Like a Dad.

My Story

My wife and I met in Toronto in 2004, and it has been a wild ride ever since. Our path took us to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where we became car owners, parents, homeowners, and husband and wife. In that order.

Our boys will be Haligonians forever, but we reached a point where home started calling. Being closer to extended family became important. No more being a plane ride away from everyone.

We packed it all up and made the long drive to Toronto in 2014, 10 years after meeting in, well, Toronto.

Now we are living life and seeing the city through parenting eyes, and it is a whole new world. Toronto is an amazing city to raise kids in. It is busy, loud, and expensive, but the experiences and opportunities make up for it.

Since the move, we have had so many experiences. A new car, a few hospital trips, a few job changes, the Raptors winning the chip, going carless, and plenty more that I hope to capture on this site.

So that is our family on a page. Thanks for following along.

Common Questions

What do you write about on Like a Dad?
I write about parenting teenagers, my Big Green Egg and BBQ, life in Toronto, TV and books, and personal reflections. Check out my parenting advice, Big Green Egg guide, and Toronto dad guide to see what I cover.

Do you have Big Green Egg recipes?
Yes. I share recipes, tips, and mistakes to avoid. If you’re just starting out or want to try something new, my Big Green Egg guide has everything from beginner basics to more challenging cooks.

What’s your approach to parenting teenagers?
I try to keep it real and a little less serious. Teenagers are navigating a lot, and so are we as parents. My parenting advice section covers topics like communication, tech boundaries, and finding the humour in the chaos.

What’s it like raising kids in Toronto?
Busy, loud, expensive, and worth it. Toronto has incredible opportunities for families. I write about playgrounds, things to do, and what it’s like navigating city life with teenagers. Start with my Toronto dad guide for recommendations and reflections.

How do I stay updated on new posts?
Subscribe to my email list at the bottom of the page. I send one email per new post, no spam, just updates when there’s something new to read.

Contact

If you’d like to get in touch, you can reach me at:

michael @ likeadad.net

If you’re interested in collaborating with Like a Dad, visit the Work With Like a Dad page.