The tales of a stay at home dad.
July 17, 2012 by Steve (DadvsKids)
This last weekend I had my first opportunity of the year to throw the kids in the minivan, pack a cooler and head out to the great big outdoors for some well needed rest and relaxation.
Before the kids arrived, I would head out for a week at a time with family or friends, sit back have a few drinks into the wee hours of the night and maybe act a little less responsible than I want to admit at the moment and come back rejuvenated. Now I come back even more exhausted than when I left. (more…)
Category Parenting | Tags: | 2 Comments
July 4, 2012 by Steve (DadvsKids)
I’ve given my wife a hard time on many occasions when it comes to the kids and their sleeping habits when they were younger. She had a tough time breastfeeding them, and nursing them to sleep, or having them wake every hour or so to feed and sooth themselves back to sleep. This would go on until the boys were over a year old and traded in breastfeeding for peanut butter sandwiches and hot dogs.
Of course, like I am an expert or something, I found myself lecturing her to wean them, or sleep them alone, or to put them down before they fell asleep if she mentioned how exhausted it all made her. It was clear to me what needed to be done, but it never occurred to me shut my mouth and see what was really what she had known since day 1.
There is nothing greater than having your child fall asleep in your arms. Nothing.
Looking back I can remember the last time each of my boys fell asleep while I held them. It’s going to happen soon with our youngest as he’s nearing 2 years old and I’m not looking forward to that day.
This is why you’ll often find me outside of a theater, or walking through the mall, or anywhere… holding my boy while he sleeps instead dropping him into the stroller, or packing everyone up and heading home.
It’s all about the little moments, as for being a Dad, I treasure these the most.
Category Parenting, The Baby (Boy 3) | Tags: | No Comments
June 28, 2012 by Steve (DadvsKids)
Dear Parents,
We give you back your child, the same child you confidently entrusted to our care last fall. (more…)
Category Megamind (Boy 1), Parenting | Tags: | No Comments
June 27, 2012 by Steve (DadvsKids)
I’m not sure where the time goes, but my oldest boy pictured above is growing and coming into his own person. It was just the other day when he finished his first season playing baseball at the ripe old age of 5 (well T-Ball, but don’t tell him that).
Now, I’m not sure how he first figured out he liked baseball, maybe it was the thrill of whacking stuff with a stick, but ever since he could walk, he has been lugging around a bat (or anything bat-like) and off looking for a game.
I have never been into sports myself, never played the games on the TV, and I find it fascinating that he found an interest in the sport all by himself. I’ve often joked that I’ll push him into sports just so he wants to play video games like me.
His first real experience playing was on a camping trip when some older boys saw him watching and called him in to try. They were so patient and kind helping to cement his feelings for the game.
It reminds me of something I’ve heard before, that we are not here to force our kids into who we want them to be, but to help them grow into the amazing people they already are.
I’ve never seen him prouder than the day he was awarded a medal for playing ball.
I am so proud of the person he is. He might just make a sports fan out of me yet.
Category Megamind (Boy 1), Parenting, The Cast | Tags: | No Comments
June 6, 2012 by Steve (DadvsKids)
So it’s now been just about 8 months since I traded in the daily bus commute and Starbucks for a half-asleep stumble down the stairs and a home brewed, mean cup of joe. During this time I’ve learned a lot about my kids, my family, what being a parent means, and mostly myself. Before this endeavor, I thought I knew just how I was going to prioritize my time. I was wrong. (more…)
Category Parenting, SAHD | Tags: | 2 Comments
