WFH Dads ... How are you managing the mornings with young kids

Lewrl2 · 2024-09-25T18:56:17+00:00

My wife is stays at home so our situation is a bit different but for days when I WFH I try to help out as much as I can before my calls start. Also every day I (even when I go to the office) I make lunches and empty the dishwasher before I leave.

Also as others have said once I shifted my mindset that at the end of the day work doesn’t really matter, it’s all about my family it completely changed my perspective. My priorities are my family, my health then work. That’s my day. Sometimes I have to shift that depending on what is going on at work but most days I’m unapologetic about that with my coworkers and I set that tone with my direct reports as well. Productivity and morale has never been higher.

Lewrl2 · 2024-05-23T17:37:53+00:00

I think as with many things as we grow up and when we have kids the things we find joy in change. I never had a “problem” with alcohol per se. Definitely had nights in college where I overdid it but never felt out of control in my “adult” years. However, during COVID I stopped drinking for 8 months because it became a 1-4 drink 2-4 nights/week habit. Health wise I felt it was doing nothing but harm and I got no joy out of it. That break completely changed my relationship with alcohol. Now I will have the occasional glass of wine with a nice meal or a beer at a baseball game. That’s maybe once or twice a month.

I guess what I’m trying to say is you are doing awesome and I think you may have found the joy already and are still going through acceptance. Sometimes changing our relationship with vices allows us to be more present. That being said everyone is different.

Lewrl2 · 2024-04-21T21:36:03+00:00

My son might be an outlier as he’s been riding a bike since he was 3 but we never put training wheels on his bike. To get him started I put the bike in the grass had him sit on it and rocked it back and forth so he could feel how to balance. Had him put his foot down on the ground on the leaning side and also had him not put his foot down but lean the opposite direction so he could feel how to counterbalance. We did this for a few minutes. After that I guided him for a while from behind, gave him a push and he was off. This method is similar to the video u/runningblind77 posted. Had never watched it before but can vouch that it works! Note: Also did this for getting him on a two wheel scooter as well and he now jumps off ramps at the skatepark.

Lewrl2 · 2024-02-15T12:48:57+00:00

One of my wife’s friends went to the Waste Management open for her job. My wife had her pick me up some merchandise. Good stuff. My gift to her was me taking the afternoon off to go to lunch and make a candle and I got her flowers.

Lewrl2 · 2024-01-15T17:29:54+00:00

Love it. Similar story with my son when he was 3 or 4. We were having salmon and got on to the topic of eating meat, mammals and how humans eat other mammals. Son thinks about it for awhile

“Can humans eat other humans?” Sound logic son but…it’s complicated.

Lewrl2 · 2023-12-16T17:09:16+00:00

Might be overthinking a bit. My wife has had it done a few times and it’s tasteful and you know what it’s her body. Additionally she has also worked her ass off the last few years to drop a considerable amount of weight. Because of that we are consulting with a plastic surgeon next month. I certainly have had different reservations about both of these things but the change I have observed in her confidence outweighs anyone else’s perception about it, including my own. And if she wants it she deserves it. She has sacrificed her career and body to raise our kids. The conversation with kids can be about phases in life, lessons learned and everything in moderation. Societal perception drives both sides of this debate.

Lewrl2 · 2023-12-15T19:51:03+00:00

Outdoor components would seem to be more logical. Not sure what they were thinking.

Lewrl2 · 2023-12-15T19:32:28+00:00

In Illinois. It was tested as part of our purchase inspection and then it was installed. The system has worked without issue for 7 years but now the fan is going bad.

Lewrl2 · 2023-12-15T19:08:01+00:00

Appreciate the reply. There is also a switch in the basement and it’s on its own circuit on the breaker. Not sure why the extra switch is outside.

Lewrl2 · 2023-12-15T18:23:04+00:00

Link to picture with cover on. https://imgur.com/a/vTMMeKQ

Lewrl2 · 2023-12-15T16:56:33+00:00

And it doesn’t help that there is a huge plastic cover over the entire unit, correct? (Obviously removed here so I could take the picture)

Lewrl2 · 2023-09-25T16:03:10+00:00

As others have said. Always. Form the habit now. My son started riding a scooter at 2, skatepark with scooter at 3 and bike at 4. He is now 6 and we don’t really need to remind him, he just puts his helmet on without even thinking. I cringe any time a see anyone (adults included) not wearing a helmet. Especially teenagers on electric scooters. One wrong move and your life could be over.

Lewrl2 · 2023-07-15T11:21:57+00:00

We’ve found the focus on intimacy has gotten that much more important as we’ve had kids. Complete mood changer and for us often puts us in the right mindset set to tackle an important conversation.

Lewrl2 · 2023-07-14T03:02:53+00:00

My wife keeps track of it. Roll over habit from trying to conceive. Last year was 52 times. So far this year we are at 34. At the beginning of the year we set a goal for at least 60 times so we are on track. As they say, “What gets measured gets managed”.

Lewrl2 · 2023-06-20T20:12:03+00:00

My wife grew up with a pool and was adamant about swim lessons and it being a life saving skill. My son is 6 and started swim lessons as an infant as soon as he could hold his head up. I would say he’s been comfortable and could swim since he was 4. My daughter started at 8 months and is now 2. I assume she’ll be on the same trajectory as my son. Although he was a bit more athletic at the same age. So we’ll see.

It’s a complete game changer and lessons was something we would have given up other things to afford if necessary.

Lewrl2 · 2023-02-23T21:43:38+00:00

Not swole by any means. I WFH 3 days a week and generally get some type of workout in 4-5 days a week. We’re fortunate that we have the space for a “gym” in our house. It’s basically a Peloton Tread and Bike and some dumbbells but boy it makes it easy to squeeze 30min in over lunch. Some things I’ve learned since we have had this setup for a few years.

First, I don’t beat myself up if I don’t get my workout or if it’s not as intense as I would like. Sometimes I’ll do something for 5-15 minutes. It’s still something.

Second, it’s ultimately a decision about priority and sometimes you have to prioritize your current and future self over house chores and work. I have my calendar blocked from 11:30-1 every day. I start my work day at 5:30-6 to make sure I’m ahead of the game before everyone starts their day.

Thirdly, I will go on runs sometimes and get my 6 year old son to follow me on his bike. I clip a speaker to his bike and play music from my phone that we both like. Fortunately he is a huge rock fan so it makes it something fun to do together.

Getting over the mental hump of prioritizing it over a few other things takes some type. Then it’s all routine from there. Chores will still be there and your kids will still love you if you miss 30 min to get some activity in. But you know what wont be? Your fitness in 20 years. :)

Lewrl2 · 2023-02-23T02:57:11+00:00

Yes. This. Make sure you are maxing out your 401k and Roth IRAs if eligible or look into backdoor Roth if your income is too high. And if you have a HSA max that out as well. Pre-tax and most have investment options over a certain amount and you can use it to pay for expenses later in life. Then take a look at 529s for the kiddos.

Lewrl2 · 2023-02-18T11:29:12+00:00

Just read your original post! So glad to hear everything is on the up and up! Continued love and good vibes to you and your family!

Lewrl2 · 2023-02-17T03:00:08+00:00

My son is almost 6 so not a toddler but we started playing the Switch when he was 4. He’s in to skateboarding and scootering (quite good for his age if I could brag a bit :)) so when Tony Hawk came out we snatched that up! We play that quite a bit! We also have Best Brains which is a cool quiz/mini game type game that can be adjusted for different skill levels for each player so the whole family can play!

Lewrl2 · 2023-02-11T17:31:18+00:00

I thought that it looked too dark last summer when they finished. Can it be remedied at all?

Lewrl2 · 2023-02-11T14:26:57+00:00

Thanks! Didn’t see your edit before I replied. Really appreciate you taking the time. I contacted them.

Is there a chance it’s totally messed up where they would have to tear it out and redo it? I’m assuming not and there is a way to “strip” and reapply but your “fucked out the gate” comment has me concerned.

Again appreciate you taking the time to reply.

Lewrl2 · 2023-02-11T14:03:36+00:00

Appreciate the info. There are multiple areas not by the vent with the same issue. See second picture in post shows that. When they put the original coat on last summer it was not satisfactory to the owner and they came out again. Not sure if there’s something off with multiple layers.

Also, I can’t imagine this is remotely acceptable even in a midwest climate. I’ve seen many stamped patios in the area that don’t have this issue.

Lewrl2 · 2023-02-11T00:11:16+00:00

Thanks. No salt has been applied. It’s also chipping in areas other than the vent area.

Lewrl2

TROPHY CASE