Each month, iParenting.com spotlights a father who inspires and moves us, who embodies the qualities that we all admire in a person, a man and a father. Above all, the Dad of the Month is dedicated to his children. Rich or poor, famous or not, he shines as an example of what fathering is all about.

Our choice for January is Alden Carter, author and father of two.

Kimi sat thinking. How much could a migraine hurt? Was it like Chatu, the python, squeezing your head? Or like Tembo, the elephant, standing on your head? Or like Tockus, the hornbill, pecking on your head? Kimi felt sad for Mama. What could he do to help? – from Mama Lion's Migraine by Alden Carter

When writer Alden Carter wrote I'm Tougher Than Asthma! (Albert Whitman & Company, 1996) with his daughter Siri, he didn't know he was beginning a career helping children tackle tough issues. The book, which chronicles Siri's own experiences in dealing with asthma, helps children realize that they are not alone in their struggles with asthma.

"We are very proud of how she has fought and overcome asthma," says Alden about his daughter, now a busy teenager. "When she was in first grade we thought we'd write a little book for her. The draft worked out well and I submitted it to one of my editors. She in turn referred me to Albert Whitman & Company, a publisher that often does health-related books."

Reaching Out
This book was the first in a long line of health-related children's books for Carter. His titles include Big Brother Dustin (Albert Whitman & Company, 1997), about a boy with Down syndrome; Seeing Things My Way (Albert Whitman & Company, 1998), about a visually impaired child; and Stretching Ourselves: Kids With Cerebral Palsy (Albert Whitman & Company, 2000), about three school-age children dealing with cerebral palsy. His latest book, Mama Lion's Migraine, is part of a toolkit called Understanding in a Box, a project by C.A.L.M. (Combating and Living With Migraines) to help children understand their parents’ migraines.

"Since I have a sister and two sisters-in-law who suffer from migraines, I was immediately intrigued by the idea," says Carter. "After pondering the theme, I suggested we use animal characters, as children relate well to them, particularly lions. They are seen as furry, lovable animals in many children's movies and cartoons."

Mama Lion's Migraine follows the story of lion cub, Kimi, and his friends as they learn about migraines and find ways to help around the waterhole until Mama Lion is feeling better.

As a professional writer, Carter is interested in selling his work, but looking at his body of work you can tell that he has other objectives as well. "To know that what I do can have a positive impact on people's lives is immensely important to me," says Carter.

Twilight Time
Carter is heading into that period of family life that could be called the "twilight time." His son, Brian, is a junior at the University of Wisconsin pursuing a demanding program in architecture and art and his daughter, Siri, is finishing up her last year of high school. "Both are outstanding students and just nice people," says Carter. "Brian is off for a month's study in Italy in a couple of weeks and Siri is a horse woman, showing the local stable's prize appaloosa on the professional circle this summer."

When in school, Siri is involved in drama and music and takes special pleasure in going to schools to talk about asthma. Though busy, both children make time to read their father's work, and Carter calls their critiques both forthright and insightful. He just wishes the family had more time to spend together.

"I wish we had more time for hobbies, really," says Carter. "We are very busy. My wife runs a foster home for elderly women, and that requires the help of all family members. When we do get a chance to spend some leisure time together, we enjoy hiking, canoeing and camping. Two years ago, we spent a month camping in Ireland."

Like many writers, Carter found working at home a challenge and found a unique way to overcome that obstacle. "I have a small office at the local airport," says Carter. "I used to work at home, but this is a better arrangement since it gets me out of the house and away from the distractions of home life."

Though his family has joined him on various working trips, all are too involved in their own lives to travel with him on a regular basis, though Siri has traveled with her father to various schools to present the asthma book and other health-related books. Carter's wife, Carol, has been instrumental in his success.

"My wife has been a fantastic support to me all through the years," says Carter. "In the early years, when I was making next to nothing, she brought home nearly all the family income. Even more important has been her psychological support when I'm struggling with an idea or bogged down in the middle of a project. We've been married for 30 years this coming fall, and it's been wonderful."

As a dedicated dad and husband involved in work he enjoys, life for Alden Carter is good. He makes an effort in his work to pass on that enjoyment of life by helping children to understand situations in their world that may confuse and frighten them.

"I think life is too short to do unsatisfying work," says Carter. "And I think to be truly satisfying, work has to have some purpose beyond material gain. Sure, I write to make a living. But it's a very nice feeling to know that my work has done a little good for young people. It isn't easy raising kids or being a kid. Books rarely provide miraculous aid, but they can sure help meet the challenges!"

Want to see more?

• Horrific Headaches: How to Cope With Childhood Migraines
• Special Kids Today
• Family Energy Magazine
• Talk about it!