Prince William spoke about Prince George at his first official event after becoming a father. His commentary is kind of adorable actually. My favourite quote is "I have to say that I thought search and rescue duties over Snowdonia were physically and mentally demanding, but looking after a three-week-old baby is right up there." I realize that having been born in 1982, Prince William is on the cusp where the generational lines are concerned. But it seems to me he's taking a Gen-X approach. I think those of us who went through the great divorce upheaval and rise of the two-income middle-class household during our youths -- remember when you heard more about "latchkey kids" than "helicopter parents"? -- have a particular approach to parenting. We want to be there. That goes for men and women alike. We don't mind admitting that the nighttime feedings are tough, as long as we showed up for them. We don't necessarily think our kids' first swim meet will be the start to an Olympic career, or even higher self-esteem, but we want to be jumping up and down and cheering them on. I realize Prince William's mentioning Prince George in a speech is part of the family business -- after all, the royal family's fundamental job is to be and create a genetic legacy -- but the way he focused on having been there at night was really familiar to me. Other parents might have discussed whether Prince George was "a good baby" or reflected on the Duchess of Cambridge's Madonna-like aspects. But Prince William got across that he's there, and in the game. Good for him. For dads we admire, check out 5 Canadian dads we love. Prince William could do worse than to emulate these! What do you think has influenced your approach to parenting? (Thumbnail picture: By Robert Payne, via Wikimedia Commons)