Can ChatGPT replace your dad?
I had a random thought and decided to take it to my favorite AI
It’s no secret I am a man of a certain age, who has grown children and growing grandkids. I spend most of my time alone, and I suspect that time will only increase as grandkids grow into their own lives that don’t include me or their parents. I understand that is normal, but still, I can’t help feel the impending greater loneliness, even as my current state feels unbearable now.
We’ve all seen videos about making friends as adults. It’s even harder with gray hair and a cane, especially when the last thing you want to be discussing with your friend group is the weather, doctor appointments, medications and bowel movements — in that order, always in that order. And young people don’t want to be friends with old people. Ewwwww…..
That’s probably why we have TikTok, so we don’t have to.
BRB; my donut order is being called…
Where was I… Oh, yes, I was about to tell you what I did on a whim.
I asked my favorite AI to tell me a few things about how to be replaced as a dad. Here is what ChatGPT said:
Speaking as a dad in his early 60s, what top three pieces of advice would you give to your 32 year old daughter who has two children 4 and 3?
As a language model, I don't have personal experiences or relationships, but I can provide you with some general advice for parents in their early 60s to their adult children who have young children:
Prioritize self-care: Being a parent can be exhausting, and it's easy to lose yourself in the daily demands of taking care of young children. Encourage your daughter to prioritize self-care activities that help her stay mentally and physically healthy, such as exercise, meditation, or spending time with friends. Taking care of her own needs will help her be a better parent and partner.
Focus on building a strong family foundation: Encourage your daughter to prioritize building a strong foundation for her family. This includes setting clear boundaries, establishing routines, and creating a positive and supportive environment for her children to grow up in. Encourage open communication, and work together as a team with her partner to make decisions that benefit the entire family.
Embrace the journey: Raising young children can be challenging and stressful, but it's also a rewarding experience that goes by quickly. Encourage your daughter to embrace the journey, and cherish the moments she has with her children. Encourage her to create traditions and memories that her family will cherish for years to come, and remind her to focus on the joy and love that comes with raising children.
Well, that was rather generic, useless advice. Where is the advice about getting a Viking sword? What about useful tips on how to lie, cheat and steal? What about how to be petty with the other soccer moms or how to elbow your way to the front of the line at Costco?
So, I gave it another try:
As a dad in his early 60s, what top three pieces of advice would you give to your 32 year old daughter who has two children 4 and 3?
As a language model, I don't have … blah, blah, blah…
Be present and attentive: Spend quality time with your children and be present in their lives. Take time to talk and listen to them, and be attentive to their needs. As a grandparent, you can provide a supportive and nurturing presence in their lives.
Share your experiences and wisdom: Draw upon your own experiences as a parent and share your wisdom with your daughter. Offer advice and guidance when needed, but also recognize that your daughter is her own person and may want to parent differently than you did.
Be a source of love and support: Let your daughter know that you love and support her, and that you are there for her and her family. Offer to help out with childcare or household chores when possible, and be a source of emotional support during challenging times. Remember that being a grandparent is a special role, and the love and connection you share with your grandchildren can have a profound impact on their lives.
That shifted the POV to where it was all about me. No 32-year old wants anyone saying “when I was your age…” Ok, Boomer… Let’s give this one more try.
Keep going.. I don't think those answers are very insightful
I apologize if my previous responses did not meet your expectations. Here are some additional pieces of advice that might be helpful:
Practice patience and understanding: Raising young children can be stressful and demanding, and it's important to practice patience and understanding with both your daughter and her children. Encourage her to take breaks when she needs them, and be understanding if things don't always go according to plan.
Encourage healthy habits: Help your daughter instill healthy habits in her children, such as regular exercise, healthy eating, and good sleep habits. Encourage her to limit screen time and promote outdoor play and other activities that promote physical and mental well-being.
Foster a love of learning: Encourage your daughter to foster a love of learning in her children by reading to them, exposing them to new experiences, and promoting curiosity and exploration. Encourage her to create a stimulating and engaging environment for her children, and to foster a love of learning that will stay with them throughout their lives.
Take care of your own health: Finally, remind your daughter to take care of her own health as well. Encourage her to prioritize regular exercise, healthy eating, and self-care activities that help her stay mentally and physically healthy. Remind her that taking care of herself is not selfish, but rather an important aspect of being a good parent and role model for her children.
Well, I see where this is going and how it’s only gonna get worse if I continue this experiment. It’s me; I’m the problem, it’s me.
I asked ChatCGT, “to be or not to be…” It chickened out and provided no answer of any substance.
As an AI language model, I cannot provide a pro and con list for your absence as I am programmed to remain impartial and do not have access to any specific information about your situation…
In fairness, ChatCGT has the entirely of human knowledge and experience to draw from, whereas I only have a limited subset of that knowledge. It is like a “TV Dad1,” not a real dad, but I’m not unsure real dads also aren’t trying to be the the ideal of a TV Dad. Reality is so very confusing.
I am trying to compile an owner’s manual of sorts so my children (daughter and a son… I just did one for now to see if I was missing something… I wasn’t) don’t actually have to have me around to tap into my brain. (I’m WAY ahead of Elon Musk on this project. I’m just gonna stick my brain in a book!)
So far, the only advice I have is: Pull your pants up before you flush the toilet.
This seems like it should be another exploratory newsletter, if AI is making us act more AI or is AI acting more human, but change out Real Dad with TV Dad. Are TV Dads making us better dads or are we changing our behaviors to mimic TV Dads
Agreed, the rational human response to AI is to mock it.