Setting a Schedule

    I've learned from past experiences that setting a schedule is crucial for keeping myself on track. With that in mind, I'm excited to announce a revamped approach to my blog. Starting this week, I'll be dedicating specific days to discussing the three major aspects of my life: Fatherhood, Food, and Fantasy. By organizing my blog posts around these topics, I hope to share my experiences, insights, and passions with you in a more structured and engaging way.

Thursdays: Fatherhood Findings     On Thursdays, I invite you to join me in reflecting on the successes and challenges I face as a dad throughout the week. I'll delve into various parenting topics, sharing my thoughts, experiences, and lessons learned. Together, we can explore the joys and complexities of fatherhood and parenting to engage in meaningful conversations about raising children in today's world. There are a million places to go to talk to other parents and I hope here is becomes a space where people are comfortable to share!

Saturdays: Fun With Food!     Food has always held a special place in my heart (and stomach), and on Saturdays, I'll be diving into the realm of the delicious. I'll share my culinary adventures, whether it's a show I recently watched, a thought-provoking podcast I stumbled upon, or a delightful recipe I've tried or plan to attempt. Get ready for tantalizing discussions about flavors, cultures, and the joy of preparing and savoring delicious meals. Hopefully this one will bring along pictures and inspire some people to share their favorites too! I'm always willing to try a new food or recipe!

Mondays: Fantasy Realms and Writing Updates     As an aspiring writer, Mondays will be devoted to my fantasy world-building endeavors and progress on my book. Join me as I explore the vast landscapes of imagination, discuss writing techniques, and share insights from the writing community. We'll delve into tropes, character development, world-building, and anything else that captures the essence of the fantasy genre. Together, we'll embark on a journey to unleash our creativity and craft compelling stories. Sometimes a spark is all you need to unleash an inferno of inspiration!

    I'm excited to try and refresh this blogging journey, and hope to make a community around parents that share my interests and passions! I'll be sharing my experiences as a father, my culinary explorations, and my deep passion for writing and fantasy. Through this revamped schedule, I aim to provide you with engaging, thought-provoking content that reflects a diverse set of interests. I invite you to join me on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Mondays as we delve into the realms of Fatherhood, Food, and Fantasy. Let's embark on this adventure together, discovering the joys and challenges of life's rich tapestry.

The next chapter!

    As I sit down to write this post, I can't help but feel a sense of excitement and nervousness. Yesterday marked the end of one chapter in my life and the beginning of a new one. After spending several years working at a bank, I decided it was time to leave and focus on what really matters to me - my family.

    It's not an easy decision, but it's one that I've been thinking about for a long time. The corporate world can be soul-sucking, and while I enjoyed my time at the bank and learned a lot about finance and corporate structure, the pay didn't match the amount of work I was doing. The cost of Daycare outpaced what I would earn. When that happens it just makes sense to spend the time with the kids instead of time barely making any money away from them. I am excited to spend more time with my kids and give my wife more flexibility with her free time. Being able to support my family and give everyone an amazing life; that's where my decision to become a stay-at-home dad comes in.

    As a father of two young kids, I've always wanted to be more present in their lives. However, with the demands of my job, I was spending nearly 50 hours a week away from home. %0 hours a week not getting to see the kids that I love so much. I would have them for an hour in the morning and barely two in the evening. The thought that most kids with two working parents barely get to see their parents breaks my heart. The care system in the states is broken, and it has really opened my eyes to how difficult it is to truly enjoy our lives when we are so beholden to the massive work week that eats our time. With all that in mind I took the leap and decided to quit my job to become a full-time dad. It's a scary decision, but I know it's the right one for me and my family.

    Of course, there are challenges that come with this decision. There will be days when I miss the structure and routine of a traditional job, or days when the kids are especially challenging. The loss of a set income will be one of the hardest but we plan to offset that with gig work and rideshare services. But I'm ready to face those challenges head-on, knowing that the rewards of being there for my family are well worth it. I also am not taking for granted one second that this is a blessing. Not many people in their 30's have an opportunity for someone to stay predominantly at home.

    My other hope is that this gives me an opportunity to work more on my book. Stealing a moment or two to write while the kids are down will be amazing! I'm beyond excited to finish this project and at some point this year I just might! In this next chapter of my life, I'll be sharing my experiences and insights as a stay-at-home dad. I'll talk about the joys and struggles of raising young children, the lessons I learn along the way, and the ways in which I'm able to continue pursuing my passions while taking care of my family. these learning experiences will help me make more human characters as I meet and talk with other parents and learn more about a side of life that I've never experienced before. It's a lot of fun opportunities to find something fun on the way to the book!