My Experience as a Dad Doing the Doman Method Program

In 1983, my wife, Rosalind, and I had our first child. We couldn't wait to use everything we had learned while working under my father, Glenn Doman, to nurture our baby cognitively, physically, and socially. We had the privilege of working together and being able to organize our schedules around our son. The plan was I would do the Doman Program on Thursdays and the weekends, while Rosalind went to work, staying active in her profession. As an expert in early childhood physical development, I thought I should have been able to implement a better physical program than my wife. However, I quickly realized that her role as our child's mother trumped any expertise I had. Rather than competing, I followed her lead, and both my son and I were happier for it. That realization was over 40 years ago.

Every Thursday, for more than 20 years, I stayed home to be the primary caregiver. It became my most challenging day of the week, but it was also one of the most rewarding experiences, engaging in the Doman Method program with our son. As he grew, the Doman programs we implemented had to be flexible to accommodate his rapid development. This flexibility posed a challenge for us, as it does for other parents. By the age of four, our son Marlowe had acquired a broad range of knowledge, including proficiency in foreign languages, physical development, and musical aptitude.

When our second son, Spencer, arrived, Thursdays became even more complex, as I now conducted two distinct programs for my sons. This presented a new level of challenge, with our objective for Spencer being to achieve similar milestones to his brother by age four. Thanks to Marlowe's example, Spencer met this objective ahead of schedule, benefitting from the guidance of his older sibling. Morgan, our daughter, arrived when Spencer was four and Marlowe was eight, adding further complexity to our routines. Nevertheless, our commitment to our children's cognitive, physical, and social development remained steadfast.

Rosalind and Morgan doing the Doman Method math program.

My wife and I were delighted to have two boys and a girl, all of whom were developing at an accelerated pace. Unexpectedly, when Rosalind was 44, we welcomed Noah into our family. With three older siblings to guide him, Noah reached developmental milestones with ease, benefitting from our experience as seasoned parents.

From the outset, our goal for our children was for them to achieve independence by the age of 14. While we had not initially planned for them to be spaced four years apart, this arrangement proved to be advantageous in supporting their individual development.

Reflecting on my children's upbringing, I am struck by the countless challenges we faced and overcame together. While I once feared the teenage years, I found them to be a period of mutual respect and strong bonding, cultivated through our shared experiences and open communication.

Today, my adult children remain passionate about learning, regularly sharing their discoveries with us. They have each developed their own physical wellness routines and prioritize nutrition as part of their lifestyle. Their continued closeness and support for one another bring me immense pride, reminding me of the enduring impact of our efforts as parents.

The most significant benefit of the Doman Method became apparent last Christmas when Marlowe played the reading game with our three-year-old grandson, Jackson. Jackson's enthusiasm for reading validated the effectiveness of the method, spanning four generations.

To fellow fathers, I urge you not to overlook your role in your children's development. Embrace a proactive role in nurturing your children, finding ways to connect with them and contribute to their growth. Whether it's through coaching physical activities or simply spending quality time together, your involvement is invaluable.

As Glenn always emphasized, our role as parents is to provide a foundation for our children to build upon, ultimately contributing to a better, more capable humanity. Let us continue to support and empower the next generation, ensuring they reach greater heights than we could have ever imagined.