Conversations with a 4 yr-old #1

Z: Daddy can you fix my basket?

Me: Can I do it after I finish reading?

Z: But daddy, i need you to fix it now so i can leave you alone.

Me: You're right, give it to me.

(working diligently to untangle the cloth lining of Easter Basket 2012)

Z: Can you fix it?

Me: I'm trying.

Z: try harder daddy.

Me: I'm trying, I'm trying.
(30 seconds later)

Z: is it fixed?

Me: No.

Z: are you gonna fix it?

Me: If you leave me alone for a minute.

Z: Okay...(10 seconds) you didn't fix it yet?

Me: does it look like i fixed it?

Z: No.

Me: Well...

Z: you want mommy to fix it?

Me: No i got it. Who tangled this up like this anyway?

Z: Morgan

Me: So tell Morgan to fix it!

Z: she can't fix it and i can't fix it and you can't fix it.

Me: I can fix it.

Z: no you can't.

Me: Yes I can

Z: uh uh
(finally I fix it)

Me: See! I told you I could fix it.

Z: Okay, thanks dad!
(grabs it. sets it down on the floor and runs out the room)

Me: Hey!! You better come play with this basket!!

Z: I can't daddy, I'm tired of playing with it.

Learning on the Job #1

When I made the transition from being a gainfully-employed husband and dad to a stay-at-home father, I had no idea of the depth of the situation I was walking into. I’ve heard plenty of war stories from my own mother and grandmother about the challenges of raising kids, but it’s kind of like when someone tries to explain how good or bad a particular food tastes...you never really “get it” until you taste it for yourself.

After being unceremoniously relieved of my duties at work, I found myself in a brand new reality. My wife had a two-year-plan for me to stay at home with our girls instead of rushing out looking for the first job paying. In hindsight, I’m wondering if she knew what she was doing by enlisting me for this duty as some kind of punishment for some past misdeed or offense. But there I was being offered the opportunity to not have to commute or spend sixty dollars a week on gas, another sixty on lunch, bow down to an incompetent boss or tolerate annoying co-workers. I’d be crazy to turn that down.

So here I am, almost two years into the gig and like they say in the Navy, “it’s not just a job, it’s an adventure!” I’ve been doing hard time with our three-year-old, Zari and our twenty-month-old Morgan, never really certain of who’s who in the inmate/guard dynamic. But I do know that no 9-to-5 could ever offer rewards to match that of watching your children grow and learn or the daily surprises they bring to your life. I’ve learned a lot about my family and myself during this valuable time and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Here are just a few of my favorite situations and lessons learned from a new stay-at-home-dad:

Read the full article Here

The Learning Curve

Every important profession in our society has a massive educational/training requirement before you're authorized to practice in that profession. So why is it that we're allowed to parent without any schooling or training to prepare us for the ups and downs and mental abuse stress that comes with it?

I'm not going to whine about it but it's only fair that I share what I learn (while I'm learning it) to help any future fathers (especially those with two daughters) and in turn welcome any helpful hints or valuable lessons that may help me from going over the edge. Daddiology: 101. Lesson 1 - wait until your kids are asleep to set up and start writing a new blog. Otherwise, what should take an hour could take up to 6!