Successful Daddy Blogger: LA Daddy

LA Daddy, caught me once when I decided to look up all the daddy bloggers out there in google. When I stumbled upon his site it was just like I was reading any other blog out there, he blogged about his daily life and children. The only difference, his was from the Dad’s point of view. His header was also very cute and entertaining, but it was the fact he’d blog about anything that I loved.

What is it you blog about and why did you start?

My blog is L.A. Daddy and it’s about my adventures with my wife and two girls. I started for fame, fortune and free drugs. But that didn’t work out, so I’m stuck telling my funny little stories to my 5 readers. I also started blogging because I have this crazy notion my girls might want to read about what they were like when they were kids. And I was worried I wouldn’t remember, so the blog pages are my little reminders of them.

How long have you blogged?  How long have you been a work at home dad?

I have been blogging since the summer of 2006. I discovered blogs through my job and then decided to start one for my personal life. I’ve been working at home since I moved from L.A. to Columbus, Ohio in May of 2008

How old are your children?

One is almost five, the other is 16 months old.

Can you share with us a daily routine you have with your children included?  (Do you have diaper duty? Feeding the baby? etc)

My girls are both in day care. I work from home but I would have thrown myself out the window if I had to work and watch both of them. Or, rather, they would have been the ones to throw me out, I’m sure…

What is the best thing about being home with your baby? Are there moments you wish you weren’t at home?

Since I’m the one who works from home, I’m the one who has to “stay home” with them when they’re sick. I can still manage to get some work done but not a typical 8-hour days worth of work. But it’s extra time that I don’t normally get with them. I love it that I get a chance to bond with them. It’s helped me become more than “Mommy and that other guy.”

What advice would you give other work at home dads? What advice would you give a father deciding to quit his job to become a work-at-home-dad?

Don’t give on personal hygiene. It’s tempting to not bath or shave for 12 days, but your family will not like it. Expect to have to clean the house… just because you’re there. Get out of the house once in a while. Trust me.

Do you think there is a difference between wahm and wahd? Why? Or Why not?

I don’t think so. The expectation that because you work at home means you don’t really ever do anything happens to both moms and dads.

What do you do when your child is sick? (since you can’t call it a sick day)

I make the children reply to emails, take dictation, and fix me lunch. It’s the least they could do considering I’m giving up my valuable time.

How do you divide your work time with your family time? What are some family time things you all do together?

I usually cook dinner for the family every night. So our biggest time together during the week is when we sit down for dinner. I believe that all families should eat together without distractions from the TV. It’s the one time everyone can talk about their day, whether they want to or not.

Do you find it hard to juggle working from home now that you have two children? How do you remedy a situation that may take too much time?

Having two kids is really like having four. Four times as much work. And I think it’s like this whether I work from home or not. Honestly, having both is great but it’s rarely ever easy.

Many people say you leave work at the door, now as a blogger you tend to already live in the house, can you leave it at the door? Got any suggestions for those other fathers out there?

I have a bedroom with my computers, books, music and vodka that I call my office. I almost never step foot back in there once the day is done or on the weekends. Unless I run out of vodka.

It’s important to give yourself a boundary. If you don’t have the room, create a physical (or mental) office space in your home that you can leave at the end of every day. If you work on your family room couch, you will never stop working. Or you’ll get nothing done because ESPN is on…

Can a work-at-home dad be successful and share in all those beautiful moments with his family?

It depends on the dad, I think. It’s there for the taking. You can have your cake and eat it, too. But, you need discipline, time-management skills, patience, and vodka. Not necessary in that order.

Thanks again Tim, it’s always nice to read about a real dad that can stay home and do what they love to do. Have a GREAT day!