ThePoseactor, 42, shared an honest and authentic Instagram post on Sunday, where he divulged the difficulties in fatherhood but also the blessings that come with being a dad toGwendolyn, who turned 1 on Saturday,Emilia, 3, Annabel Leah, 5,Joshua, 7, andOlivia, 8½.
“For me, being a father means having that quiet little voice inside of you that says ‘Be a better man,’ get louder and more consistent … to the point where you can’t really remember where that voice ends and where you begin,” the actor wrote. “It means being tired beyond what is probably healthy, and patient beyond what you previously thought possible. And even though you know you’re far from perfect … being a father also comes with an unshakable awareness that all your actions have consequences — context that reaches far beyond your own self-interest.”
Van Der Beek continued, “It’s scary to feel that interconnected with the rest of the world — especially with your heart now walking around outside your body — because itdemands more personal responsibility… but it will make you a better man. Of at least that I’m sure.”
James Van Der Beek/ Instagram

“#HappyFathersDayto all the imperfect dads out there, trying their best and learning on the job.👊#fatherhood,” heconcluded his note.
The actorpreviously offered adviceto fellow dads last month, when he shared a snapshot of himself and his oldest child Olivia, acknowledging the importance of a father’s relationship with his daughter.
“Dads, date your daughters,” he encouraged. “Drive responsibly, put down your phone, invest in everything they have to say and treat them like they’re the most valuable human in the room, if not the world.”
“And then (theoretically), once they start dating for real, they’ll have a bar … and anyone who doesn’t meet that bar, you won’t have to tell them — they’ll make that call for themselves.#DateNight#SetTheBarHigh,”Van Der Beek continued, concluding, “(I’ll let you know in about ten or fifteen years if this actually works 👍🤞).”
James Van Der Beek and daughter Olivia.James Van Der Beek/Instagram

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After her husband replied, “I’m guessing Olivia … but could be Joshua,” the mother of five quipped in aconfident follow-up comment, “Actually … I think Olivia.”
The time stamp may have given the parents a clue, though. As theDawson’s Creekalum explained in a reply to his wife’s latter remark, “Just checked the date on the photo. If it’s correct (and not the date it was imported or screen-grabbed) … this is Annabel,” adding wide-eyed, red heart and crying-laughing emojis.
source: people.com