Yello Customer Success Specialist Sheldon Harrison Dishes on Fatherhood

Yello’s Customer Success Specialist, Sheldon Harrison, naturally enjoys technology, problem-solving, and creative projects. However, his favourite job is being the proud father of eight-year-old Malachi and one-year-old Zendaya. With Father’s Day approaching, Yello caught up with Sheldon to discuss his journey into fatherhood and what being a dad means to him.

Sheldon, please tell us when you first became a father.

I became a father for the first time on 25 August 2015. My partner Aliesha and I welcomed our son Malachi.

Do you remember how you prepared for him?

My preparation for my first child started years before I knew I would become a father. It started with friends, men who mentored me, and how the people I respected dealt with their families. When preparing for my son, I turned to those sources for advice. Social media also provided valuable resources. I followed pages and accounts that focused on how to deal with newborns and young children. I watched YouTube videos on childbirth. Although I could never experience that process the way a mother does, it was insightful to see what happens.

How did you feel when you met your son for the first time, and was there a difference with your daughter? 

I had two different experiences. With my son, I had to wait until the next day to meet him. I cannot describe all the feelings or thoughts that I experienced in my head. I remember looking at Malachi in his little cot and thinking I was now a part of another human being. Seeing him made me feel that I now needed to become more responsible than I’ve ever been in my life.

I realised that my son would depend on me for financial and emotional support and for shaping him into the person I wanted him to be. My daughter was a surprise because I didn’t think I would have another child. Malachi was born via c-section, and it wasn’t a pleasant experience for Aliesha. So, when it was time to deliver our daughter, I was worried.

I was in the room when they took her out. It reminded me of my thoughts when I first met my son and that this was a girl. So, meeting my daughter gave me an even more incredible feeling of responsibility and made me think about how I guide her as a parent. I felt a greater desire to ensure that I lived up to her expectations as her dad and how that would impact her future choices.

Is there anything about fatherhood that surprises you?

How challenging it can be to keep up with being a parent. There is no manual. You learn from others, but every situation is unique since each child is unique. So, it’s the challenge of being a father who disciplines, guides, encourages, and loves. Having a good balance between those things can be challenging.

I know it will get more complex with my Zendaya. I’m mindful that the impression I leave on her as a man (father) will help frame how she operates as an adult. I understand how my presence as her father can impact her confidence and understanding of a male figure.

I’m open to help, and what’s great is that my spouse is a sound support system. She understands how important it is for me to be a good father and supports and encourages my efforts. These are things we discussed before we planned to have a family.

What does Father’s Day mean to you?

Generally, Father’s Day aims to recognise and celebrate fathers, which means a lot. On special days like birthdays and Father’s Day, I like to pause, reflect, and mentally audit my performance as a father. I ask myself questions like, “How am I doing as a father?” and “Are there areas I need to improve?”

Similarly to New Year’s resolutions, I make “father resolutions” every Father’s Day to improve at some things. I’ll think about spending more time with Malachi and how I discipline him. Malachi is at the age where he can articulate his feelings, so I spend time talking to him. I’ll ask him questions about what I can do better because different perspectives are helpful. Hopefully, with this tradition, he will feel comfortable discussing issues with me when things become challenging in his teenage years.

Is there something you enjoy doing with your children?

I enjoy playing games with Malachi and helping him figure out things he considers challenging. We are both science fiction fans and enjoy researching things that are a mystery to the average person. We like to watch science fiction movies, and he is developing a knack for my addiction to Star Wars. I enjoy doing technical work like digital marketing and web development, and he also seems interested.

Although I don’t try to force his interest in those areas, he is naturally drawn to stuff like coding. I like that he is getting the opportunity to be exposed to technology because I didn’t have that when I was his age. I look forward to preparing him for PEP (Primary Exit Profile) in a few years. I’m interested in seeing how we manage those challenges.

I want to use that experience to let him know it’s more than just passing the exams. He is a great student, but I like helping him deal with what he considers to be failures. I want him to understand that it’s how you handle challenges that help define who you are. It’s not just about getting good grades but developing life skills.

With Zendaya, I’m looking forward to when she starts talking and her personality. I’ve never thought of a female version of myself. I’m curious about the type of person she will be and how I will navigate and deal with challenges that may come. I want to help her become a confident woman.

Tell us about your favourite Father’s Day memory.

My favourite Father’s Day memory is the first one I had. I remember thinking, "I am now a father, and it’s my first year celebrating being one.” I could now receive messages and calls that celebrated my being a dad.

Share an important lesson you hope to teach your children.

An important lesson I’ll impart to my children is to understand how crucial other people are to their world and appreciate their differences. So, although it can be challenging to accept how some people behave sometimes, we still need each other.

How do you plan to spend this Father’s Day?

I love being at home with Aliesha and our children, so that is how I want to spend the day. Although I’ve gotten gifts on Father’s Day, I am not a gift person. I sometimes forget that it is Father’s Day. Then Malachi says it, and I get what some people call butterflies. I have this person who looks up to me, saying, “Dad, I love you.” That is the most meaningful gift.

Thanks for sharing with us, Sheldon. We hope you’ll have a great Father’s Day with your family!

*All images provided by S. Harrison.