Being Daddy
Genuine | May 16I recently posted here about being a business owner and the trials and tribulations that involves being a SAHD of 4. I spend most of my day trying to keep a facade of Mr. Business with phone calls and meetings spent with high anxiety of a child having a meltdown during either. There have been times when I have to put a client on hold while I scrape a child off the ceiling for a fight over who had the green car first, but for the most part most of the people I deal with have been very understanding of my situation. That is except my kids. They don’t always understand about my situation.
The toddlers don’t always understand why Daddy is on the phone. They don’t understand that the paper they decided to color on happened to be that contract Daddy was wanting to send back to the client. They don’t get the idea of being patient while Daddy finishes up with a proposal before throwing that fit because I haven’t fixed that PBJ with the special cutting of the crust.
Today I had a special meeting on my calendar that I made a few days ago. I have a pop up system that reminds me of important meetings with clients or conference calls or other things that come up on the calendar. It reminds me of them 10 minutes ahead of the scheduled event. This usually allows me to prepare for the event as well as myself. By preparing of course I have to have some way for them to be entertained by something that will allow me to accomplish an entire phone call or chat. Today’s event popped up as is the usual but this time I did not need to prepare. The event that popped up was "Be Daddy."
I need to remind myself sometimes that I am a SAHD and the responsibility that comes with that office. I need to remind myself that those contracts can be put off for a little bit and that I can turn off the phone and that my business is sometimes just being Daddy. The meeting was spent playing tickle monster, and a little while watching a DVD. Finally we had some lunch of the special cut crust PBJ’s. Being Daddy is the best thing in my world and my favorite pop up on the calendar. If you are a Dad, make sure to add into your business plan a new heading in the outline. Spend Time Being Daddy.
Good for you! Sometimes SAHD needs to stand for Simply A Happy Daddy.
What a wonderful post! Thank you so much for sharing; this one to print out and keep.
Best wishes,
Barbara
My husband also does this. He will block his calendar to pick the kids up form school or take them on a “date”.
I can’t figure out who has the better time. I think it’s a tie.
Great post. I think we all need to do that. I think it works for those who work out of the home too. I have had two bosses in my life that clearly made their kids a priority (taking a call from their kids no matter what or scheduling their kids sporting events into their calendar) and I plan on doing the same.
Thanks for the reminder!
It seems only natural with so many things fighting their way onto our calendar, we need to make sure that what’s important to us isn’t taken for granted.
Something children, in all their great wisdom, will never understand: An explanation that mom and/or dad are working and can’t spend time with you BECAUSE they love you.
this was a great one to read about. Good luck with the children and its great that you are able to work at home and have time to hang out with your children as well.
Sometimes it is hard to remember to enjoy our children, thanks for the reminder!
Sometimes we get caught up in our work and don’t realize that we need to create time to focus on the needs of our kids. This should be a reminder to all that work is not the only thing demanding our attention
One thing that keeps me in check when I start feeling the strains of work–On my deathbed, I’m going to wish I had more time w/my family, not more time working. Nice post.
Man, you really hit this issue head on. I’m a workaholic, who’s also a Dad-aholic. I work to support my baby, but I know having the time and energy for my kids is even more important. People need to realize that life needs to be a balance and both work and kids will benefit once more people accept that (and act accordingly). You all might want to check out a new blog, posted every Friday, written by a rather outspoken Dad, about family issues and a Dad’s perspective on things…Check out his suggestions for approaching the Father’s Day Gift question and how Dads should finally actually ask for what they want — for everyone’s sake. Here it is: http://blog.csnstores.com/
I can not imagine being a SAHD and run a business at the same time. I am not even a father yet (I will be in October) and its a daunting idea. I wanted to share with you the new site over at www.justdaddys.net. Its a place where fathers new and old, veteran and novice can come and trade tips, tricks, or just shoot the breeze. We are a growing community right now and I would love to have someone with your knowledge and experience get involved in on the ground floor and be a resource and a community leader.
Thanks,
Jason
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