Realizing I Know Nothing
Posts tagged Dadding
Work-Life Balance and Sheryl Sandberg
Apr 19th
A while back I pondered the work-life balance in Work-Life Balance. Is technology tipping the scales? — and now it is at the forefront on Mashable, CNN.com (and here is another opinion from CNN.com on the same subject), and Makers.com. I would like to say it was my humble opinion that brought it to the forefront– but alas, it wasn’t — it was Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg saying it on video at Makers.com:
“I walk out of this office every day at 5:30 so I’m home for dinner with my kids at 6, and interestingly, I’ve been doing that since I had kids,”
A tech More >
Being an Honest Parent
Jan 9th
I recently read the article My husband, the perfect mom by Ayelet Waldman and I can say this: I appreciate the honesty.
I try to balance everything with the Wifey (again, whiff-ey) — almost to a detrimental degree. Our son is still under three, so we haven’t moved into some of the more complex scheduling of school, work and sports, so I can only go with the needs of now. I feed him. I bathe him. I put him to bed. I give him his booboo buddy when he needs it. I hold him when he cries. I wash his clothes. I More >
5 Driver Personalities I Hope My Son Avoids
Sep 30th
I know my son’s personality will be what it will be. My only hope is that I provide enough solid parenting that he becomes a fine upstanding citizen of the world at large. However, there are some personalities that I hope he avoids — and knowing how we can all (or nearly all) relate to driving and the personalities we see on the road, I present them as the 5 Driver Personalities I hope my son avoids:
1. The sitter. Passing lane is for passing — not sitting (or cruising). This personality is simply unconscious. The world around them doesn’t exist. I More >
Beating Kids – The Only Option
Jul 25th
Flying back from a short getaway with the Wifey (again pronounced, whiff-ey), a woman got on the plane with a small child — no more than 6 months old and I couldn’t help but think about her and everyone on that plane as she continually hushed her child en-route to here seat — with the child barely making any noise.
First, I thought of this article by LZ Granderson on CNN.com called Permissive parents: Curb Your Brats. I have read a few of his articles and in general, align with his way of thinking. I am completely on board with the More >
“Go the F*** to Sleep” IS Funny
Jul 1st
Long time, no post. Working full-time and being a parent definitely pushes blogging to the bottom of the heap, but I digress. I was getting my fill of CNN.com the other day and came across this opinion piece by Karen Spears Zacharias. Part of me wants to ignore it so that it doesn’t get any more thought — but, well, this IS a blog.
First and foremost – this was an opinion piece, much like this entire blog and I stand by the fact that Karen has every right to her opinion, however, I can disagree with the connection she is trying More >
This could be Taboo #1
May 8th
Last but not least…
Number 1 : Knowing that it will end
While being a dad is not all fun and games — I wouldn’t trade it for all the free time and irresponsibility I could get for it. There are simply too many awesome things about being a dad to be derailed by a few small annoyances.
Nothing can top going into his room in the morning and hearing the patter of hands and feet as he crosses the crib — the one hand — then two hands — appearing on top of the crib with his bright blue eyes peeking More >
This could be Taboo #2
May 7th
The countdown continues. #2 (counting backwards) on my list of things I don’t enjoy about being a dad:
Number 2 : The responsibility
This was expected, but it doesn’t make it enjoyable. New levels of responsibility come with a lot of “first” milestones: first car, first job, first house, etc. The first child is no different. Going anywhere or doing anything involves a process of double checks, packing, dressing, diapering, and more. While you are doing this, you are also thinking ahead to how you will handle situations from diaper changing in a men’s room to worrying about a complete public meltdown. More >
This could be Taboo #3
May 6th
#3 (counting backwards) on my list of things I don’t enjoy about being a dad:
Number 3 : The feeling of helplessness
I mentioned in an earlier post how quickly my perspective changed when our son was born. Prior to being a dad, crimes against children (or situations where children were harmed) were almost on the same level as crimes (and harmful situations) against adults. Since becoming a dad, I now understand why situations where a child is harmed is seen as so atrocious by so many.
Last month, there was a lot of coverage of the 15th anniversary of the Oklahoma More >
This could be Taboo #4
May 5th
Whew…no hate mail on ol’ Number 5, so I guess I will keep going.
Number 4 : Praise for being competent
I get it — there is a reason the word “deadbeat dad” exists — and I know it’s not simply to be an example of alliteration. However, I don’t think this means that every time a dad (me) does something competent that he (me) should be praised for it. On the flip side, I don’t think I need all the criticism when I don’t do things the way “mom would have done it”.
Moms and dads might take different approaches to More >
This could be Taboo #5
May 4th
The minute I walked out of the hospital, the vision of tossing a baseball back and forth on a cool, sunny day in the yard vanished quicker than a fresh box of donuts in my office break-room. I knew it would be hard work (actually — overall, it is less than I had expected), but reality didn’t set in until we were walking out the door and away from the terrific nurses at the hospital where our son was delivered.
In the 13 months since that day, I have realized there are a few things I don’t enjoy about being More >
