Occupation: Executive Director of Songs of Survivors, singer/songwriter, advocate  

Wife: Anna St. Romain

Children: Bailey, 16, Briley, 14, Gavin, 8

Hobbies: Sports cards, golf, fishing

David St. Romain is a busy guy. He’s a musician, an advocate, and the executive director of Songs of Survivors, a company that offers songwriting workshops to help veterans create art while healing their trauma. His long list of community involvement has not stopped him from being a great father, however. While every day is different for David, he finds time to step back and admire his three children and all the joy they have brought him. He works hard to be the best father he can possibly be and make sure his family gets to heaven.

WHAT DOES A NORMAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?

DAVID: I drop my kids off at school and have breakfast at The Blue Rose Café. Then, I’m in the office or having meetings with partners of other organizations. I don’t really have a normal day because I travel so much around the state, but if I’m in the city, that’s what I’m doing. In the afternoons I’m doing carpool duty again and spending as much time as I can with my family. Other days, I’ll also record demos in studios and host songwriting workshops on Saturdays for veterans as a platform or way for them to channel their life experiences into music while hopefully achieving a better outcome for their lives. I’m getting our organization’s name out there as much as I can and also traveling with CABL–Counsel for a Better Louisiana–to meet with local delegates and leaders and talk about economic and educational development for our state. I’m involved in my community as much as possible, especially with my passion project.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE JOYS AND CHALLENGES OF RAISING YOUR CHILDREN?

DAVID: Some of the joys are seeing my children develop their own personalities and take on their own directions and goals. The biggest joy is to see them prosper in the things they love. Each child has a different thing. My firstborn is very studious and has an incredible work ethic; she has the drive to be successful in what she puts her mind to. My middle child is incredibly talented as well; both my daughters can sing very well, but my second one has taken singing more seriously and still loves to get up and sing. To be able to share that with her and give her that platform is another joy. My son, he’s my boy. He’s so active that we have to slow him down sometimes, but he’s more about sports and loves baseball. I think he’s going to end up playing drums because he loves to beat on anything he can. I’m focused on letting them develop their own desires to do something before they commit. I don’t force them to do anything.

Raising teenage girls is challenging; body image is a big challenge for girls. I have beautiful children, and I’m always reminded that what’s most important is not what they believe at 14 and 16 years old. There’s a bigger world out there than what’s on TikTok and Instagram. Social media is an incredible tool, but it can also be very polarizing and hurtful. So, I remind my children they’re wonderful human beings with an incredible future ahead of them; I keep them focused on the long game.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS A DAD?

DAVID: I try to be a great father in all ways, to be open-minded and keep an open-door policy and be supportive no matter what. My number one mission is to get my wife and children to heaven. I try to be the best dad I can be in supporting their needs, not always their wants.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO AS A FAMILY?

DAVID: I love family vacations. Vacations have been some of my best memories with my family. My kids love quality time, so we like to have family movie nights and eat dinner together as many nights as possible.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A DAD?

DAVID: The best part is when I can hold my children in my arms–when I can embrace them and hold them and feel the love.

WHAT HAS PARENTHOOD TAUGHT YOU?

DAVID: Parenthood has taught me that I am a good person who had great parents, even though they struggled like we all have. I had a great model of what unconditional love really means. It’s easy for me to understand that when I have my own children I can preach unconditional love to them; despite everyday challenges or whatever they may do, I still love them unconditionally. 

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOU HOPE TO TEACH YOUR CHILDREN?

DAVID: I want to teach them they can do anything they truly set their heart to. If they want to do something, they need to go after it and not be scared. Early on, I taught them that if their gut tells them something is wrong, it’s wrong. We’re given signs every day, and we can choose whether to listen to those signs. I spent 20-plus years fighting a calling in my life, and it’s only been the last five years that I was willing to listen to it, so I want to teach them to listen to and follow their gut.

HOW DO YOU TACKLE ANY CHALLENGES YOU FACE AS A DAD?

DAVID: With my brotherhood of accountability. I have a group of men who help me in my daily walk and struggles. I seek counsel from those men and my spiritual leaders. I remember the best thing I can do is trust in God and do the next right thing.

WHAT IS A PARENTING MYTH YOU WANT TO DEBUNK?

DAVID: You don’t have to say yes to everything! Your children are still going to love you even if you say no.

WHAT PERSONALITY TRAIT OF YOURS DO YOUR CHILDREN ALSO HAVE?

DAVID: My children will never meet a stranger. They are very outgoing, all three of them. And they are naturally happy and joyful kids.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR OTHER PARENTS?

DAVID: Be honest with your kids, and support them with love even when it hurts.

Quick Q&A

My favorite TV show is…Law and Order.

My favorite dessert is…crème brûlée.

My favorite food is…Mexican food.

My favorite holiday is…Halloween.

My guilty pleasure is…being backstage at a concert.

The first thing I do when I wake up is…look at my phone.

I’m always laughing at…Bert Kreischer.

My dream travel spot is…British Virgin Islands.