#Limelightdad Archives - Dad of Divas

Dads in the Limelight – Father, Professional Editor & Podcaster, Jamie Greene

February 28, 2016 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Our 623rd Dad in the Limelight is father, professional editor & podcaster, Jamie Greene. I want to thank Jamie Greene for being a part of this series. It has been great getting connected with him and now sharing Jamie Greene with all of you.

1) Tell me about yourself, (as well as how you are in the limelight for my readers knowledge)

Hey, howdy, hey. My name is Jamie Greene. I’m a professional editor in the publishing industry. Words, punctuation, and syntax are my bread and butter. If I’m in the “limelight” at all, though, it’s most likely due to my kids. I started blogging (at theroarbots.com) with the original intent to just share some of the cool stuff we were doing as a family. That’s pretty much what I’m still doing – kid-friendly geekiness – at both The Roarbots and GeekDad.com. My daughter has since become semi-Internet kid famous for her interview videos (originally 5 Questions with a 5-Year-Old….now Questions From a Kid). Oh yeah, and I cohost a “Disney Geek Dads” podcast, The Great Big Beautiful Podcast.

2) Tell me about your family

I’m the father of two ragamuffins (currently 4 and 6). If you read the blog or follow me on Twitter, you probably know more about them than you care to know. My wife (she of vast and endless patience) and I recently celebrated our 10th anniversary, and it seems like just last year that we met in China (while I was living there).

3) What has been the largest challenge you have had in being a father?

Honestly, my biggest challenge is overcoming a feeling of guilt for not spending more time with my kids. I’m lucky enough to have a job that allows me to work from home most days, but those days are still “work days,” even though I happen to be in the house. It’s hard to say no or close the door of my office when they’re tearing around the house, having a blast, and asking me to join in.

4) What advice would you give to other fathers?

Slow down, take it easy, and take advice with a grain of salt the size of Gibraltar. Everyone has their own ideas for how to be a good parent or how to raise a child properly. Do it your own way (keeping safety in mind, of course), and you’re doing it the right way. Also: cherish every goddamned minute. It’s unbelievably scary how fast time flies by.

5) How have you come to balance parenthood and outside life?

What’s that mean? What is this “outside life” of which you speak? My outside life (such as it is) is inextricably tied to my kids, and I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m a father; that doesn’t end at the front door or at certain time. Yes, we all deserve and get “alone time,” but kids grow up too darn fast. For me, there’s nothing to balance. It’s just life.

6) What have you learned from the fathers that you have interacted with?

See #4 above. We all do it differently. And (most of the time), everything works out fine in the end. Kids are remarkably adaptable and open-minded. I’ve learned it’s totally possible to share your interests, whatever they might be, with your kids. There’s no reason for us to suffer through Barney or The Wiggles (unless you want to, of course). Kids are just as happy climbing a mountain, learning about robotics, listening to Radiohead, or traveling through a foreign country where they don’t speak a word of the native language. For kids, those are adventures…and we need more of them. Don’t ignore the things you enjoy; encourage your kids to enjoy them too. Life is better that way.

7) What else would you share regarding your experiences as a father thus far?

It’s a messy job (literally), but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

8) What have been the most memorable experiences that you have had thus far as a parent?

My answer to this one changes with the day. The best memories, though, take place at bedtime. I have read to both of my kids every single night since they were born – picture books, comic books, chapter books, and novels. Feeding their imaginations is far and away the highlight of each day. Coming in a close second, though, is the one and only voice of Batman (Kevin Conroy) using his Batman voice to tell my daughter that he needs her help to catch the Joker

If you have any questions for Jamie Greene, please leave a comment here and I will make sure that he gets them so that he may be able to respond!

Also, do you know a Dad in the Limelight? If so, please email me their contact information so that they too can be a part of this series!

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Dads in the Limelight – Gregg Zegras of Pitney Bowes

February 14, 2016 by dadofdivas 3 Comments

Our 619th Dad in the Limelight is Gregg Zegras of Pitney Bowes. I want to thank Gregg Zegras for being a part of this series. It has been great getting connected with him and now sharing Gregg Zegras with all of you.

1) Tell me about yourself, (as well as how you are in the limelight for my readers knowledge

For the longest time I found it difficult to describe myself professionally but recently have landed on “intra-preneur” as in I’m better helping bigger companies innovate or transform businesses through technology, digital, mobile etc. That’s what I’m doing in my current role at Pitney Bowes which is a 95-year old company in the midst of an important transformation on a global scale. When I’m not working or traveling for work which is often I’m usually found with one or more of my boys in a hockey rink, almost year round, which I love!

2) Tell me about your family

I am a father to five boys, yes count them, five boys aged 15,14, 12 and 9 twice. It s a very active house as they all play multiple sports with ice hockey at the top of the list. My wife Karen has the hardest and most important of the jobs in our family and she’s frankly the best. We swear that we spend more money on milk than gasoline – I’m talking like 7-8 gallons a week!!

3) What has been the largest challenge you have had in being a father?

I thought about this one a lot – for me the work/life balance is the #1 challenge. I’m normally gone during the week so I cherish my weekends with the boys more than anything and with five, making sure that they all get their fair share is not easy. With the sports in particular its not possible to be at every event so we divide and conquer the best we can. I’m still in reasonably good shape to keep up with them so we will play wiffle ball, street hockey, whatever. They all love to compete and believe or not I’m not normally the #1 pick.

4) What advice would you give to other fathers?

In some ways having 5 boys at the ages we have allows us to see the different stages at the same time- because it goes fast, so one in high school, one in middle school, three in elementary — we get a wide range of ages and stages to enjoy. But do everything you can to enjoy it.

5) How have you come to balance parenthood and outside life?

Not very well, I could use some help here. Not a lot of time left in the day for much else but if I’m pushed to make a decision on enjoying a weekend hobby or dinner with friends versus the boys game, I’m taking the boys game every time. And most of the Dads I hang with actually share that view so we tend to socialize around the sporting events and other kids events. I’m not sure if that’s sad or the best thing ever, but for now I’ll take it.

6) What have you learned from the fathers that you have interacted with?

From my Dad who is true only one that really matters I learned the art of patience which gets tested daily both personally and professionally. He’s living through the ultimate test right now – having suffered a debilitating stroke 5 years ago that left him parlayed on his left side with no use of his left arm and limited use of his left leg. But the man is unelenting, he’s not once in five years given up hope that he will regain the use of his arm and leg. That is the level of of character I can only hope to achieve in my lifetime and going back to my earlier points the best reminder to cherish what you have.

8) What have been the most memorable experiences that you have had thus far as a parent?

Being witness to four births and five babies…..

If you have any questions for Gregg Zegras, please leave a comment here and I will make sure that he gets them so that he may be able to respond!

Also, do you know a Dad in the Limelight? If so, please email me their contact information so that they too can be a part of this series!

Dads in the Limelight – Rob Nomura of DaddyEd.com

February 11, 2016 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Our 618th Dad in the Limelight is Rob Nomura of DaddyEd.com. I want to thank Rob Nomura for being a part of this series. It has been great getting connected with him and now sharing Rob Nomura with all of you.

1) Tell me about yourself, (as well as how you are in the limelight for my readers knowledge)

I’m a homeschooling father and editor of DaddyEd.com. A website about a father’s (me) point of view on home schooling, education, and liberty. I’m also the founder of WingChunLife.com, one of the world’s most well-known websites about Wing Chun kung fu. During the day I work as direct response copywriting and marketing consultant, RobertNomura.com, where I help business generate leads and drive new clients to their front door.

On my spare time I practice martial arts and recently got into Crossfit – a workout and physical training method. The result is that I’m stronger now than I’ve ever been. I can do pull-ups and handstand push-ups! I couldn’t do pull-ups as a kid. My cardio is better too, but I don’t enjoy running. Although, I don’t mind sprints or jumping over things.

2) Tell me about your family

There’re four of us and we like to travel and spend a lot of time together. I think this is easier while our kids are still young. Who knows what will happen when they enter their teenage years.

3) What has been the largest challenge you have had in being a father?

The largest challenges happened while my kids were babies and toddlers. I didn’t know how to be a father, I was nervous and unsure about the future, and was under a lot of stress. Now, I’m more experienced and my kids are older and more selfeliant. So, if they burn their hand on the stove I just say, “I told you so.” My current challenge, though, is hitting my financial stride. This is a personal issue because I really thought I’d be a multi-millionaire by now.

4) What advice would you give to other fathers?

If you’re new to it, enjoy your child while young. After the first 2 or 3 years, you feel a whole lifetime passed by. But then your first kid hits 10 and you’re caught by surprise, “where did all the time go?”

Then you think, “Shoot, he’ll be driving in 5 years; when we finish paying off the car!” If you’ve been at it a while and your kids are older and self-sufficient (but not adults), well, I don’t know what to do because that’s not where I’m at.

Currently, I find myself in a rush to transfer as much knowledge and experience to my kids before they grow up and fly the coop. I want to make sure their heads are on straight and don’t make needless mistakes. They’re old enough to absorb most of it, but there’s only so many hours in a day.

5) How have you come to balance parenthood and outside life?

Poorly, I’m afraid. And I’ve recently made this discovery.

We had kids before most of our close friends did. And when you have young kids, your social life as a single person or as a young couple quickly takes a nosedive. We were practically off the radar for a number of years.

On top of that, we both (mommy and daddy) work hard and relatively long hours; luckily we enjoy what we do.

So what happens is that we spend a ton of time together and going out together. It’s broken up with a few family visits, especially du
wring holidays or some long weekends, and even fewer visits with friends. Most of our friends live far away, or now have very young kids — so it’s their turn to drop off the radar.

6) What have you learned from the fathers that you have interacted with?

Spend more belly-to-belly time with my kids.

Most of the “older” fathers I’ve met spent a lot of their time away from their kids, usually at work, or sitting in traffic to and from work. And the kids are at school all day, and usually longer if they’re in after-school programs.

By design we’re together often. We homeschool, I work from home, and mommy works about 15 minutes away and has somewhat flexible hours. I think it’s been great, and healthy for us (mommy and daddy), to experience our kids grow up firsthand. For instance, we don’t have to learn who our kids are, or learn about their personalities through a written evaluation from school. I think it’s wrong when a schoolteacher knows your kids better than you do.

Also, I think it’s healthy for kids to have a close and personal relationship with their fathers. Dads are just different from moms. But this is something that may not be possible, or optimal, if dad leaves home at 6am and gets home at 6pm, 5 days a week. And then has client dinners where he comes home after 10pm, and of course business trips where he’s gone 2 to 5 days in a row, plus weekend work at the office.

Not all dads (or moms) have that kind of schedule, but I’ve met many who do.

7) What else would you share regarding your experiences as a father thus far?

There’s no right way to be a good father. The good news is there are many ways to do it right.

Do the best you can, stay open to being better at it, and if you make a mistake say so and try to correct it or take steps to avoid making it again. You’ll save your kids from unneeded trauma later in life.

8) What have been the most memorable experiences that you have had thus far as a parent?

It’s the small things, really.

Watching my kids learn to walk and talk.
Teaching them to ride a bike and swim.
Listening to them laugh.
Seeing how their personalities change as they get older.
Seeing them do something on their own and thinking, “They’ll be okay even if I get hit by a bus tomorrow.”

If you have any questions for Rob Nomura, please leave a comment here and I will make sure that he gets them so that he may be able to respond!

Also, do you know a Dad in the Limelight? If so, please email me their contact information so that they too can be a part of this series!

Dads in the Limelight – Kidney and Celiac Disease Survivor, Jason Magee

February 7, 2016 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Our 617th Dad in the Limelight is Chronic Kidney and Celiac Disease Survivor, Jason Magee. I want to thank Jason Magee for being a part of this series. It has been great getting connected with him and now sharing Jason Magee with all of you.

1) Tell me about yourself, (as well as how you are in the limelight for my readers knowledge)
I’m a father of 2 boys who is currently trying to spend as much time as I can being a dad while battling Chronic Kidney Disease and Celiac disease.

2) Tell me about your family
Our family tries to be frugal and re-purpose things. We like to save money by couponing and being frugal as well as doing a lot of things ourselves rather than buying them. We love being outdoors and going on adventures.

3) What has been the largest challenge you have had in being a father?
Hmm…I would have to say that the hardest part that I’ve been through as a father is being patient and seeing things from a kids point of view. Oh, and learning to pick my battles.

4) What advice would you give to other fathers?
Patience! The more patience that you have the easier it is for you. Kids will listen, learn and act better if you’re patient with them. This includes when they’re misbehaving.

5) How have you come to balance parenthood and outside life?
We don’t have an outside life to be honest. Being parents is our life. We don’t go out and when we do the kids are with us. Occasionally we’ll ship them over to their grandparents but in the end we just go home to relax.

6) What have you learned from the fathers that you have interacted with?
That I’m not the only one with head strong kids and that other fathers have the same struggles at being a parent as I do.

7) What else would you share regarding your experiences as a father thus far?
Kids will be kids. Let them enjoy their childhood and don’t stress over the simple things. Everyone has their struggles when it comes to parenting because not all kids are the same. Enjoy it while you can because they eventually grow up.

8) What have been the most memorable experiences that you have had thus far as a parent?
Graduating from daddy to dad was a pretty memorable moment but I’m going to say everything. I cherish everything being a father. I love seeing the new things that my kids learn, watching them grow, have fun, make mistakes and learn from them. The list goes on and on.

Website: http://frugalcanadiancouponmom.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FrugalCanadianCouponMom

If you have any questions for Jason Magee, please leave a comment here and I will make sure that he gets them so that he may be able to respond!

Also, do you know a Dad in the Limelight? If so, please email me their contact information so that they too can be a part of this series!

Dads in the Limelight – Husband and Father John Wahl

February 4, 2016 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Our 616th Dad in the Limelight is husband and father, John Wahl. I want to thank John Wahl for being a part of this series. It has been great getting connected with him and now sharing John Wahl with all of you.

1)Tell me about yourself, (as well as how you are in the limelight for my readers knowledge)

I’m John Wahl, a husband and father living in Crystal, MN. Last year my brother Adam and I created MegaDads.org. It’s a website for geeks and gamers adjusting to the whirlwind life as a parent. It features a weekly blog on video games and family as well as a comic strip and podcast (Mega Dads Live) and has been some of the most fun I’ve ever had.

2) Tell me about your family

I’ve been married to my awesome wife Cristina for nearly 10 years. We met through a mutual acquaintance at the hospital where we both work and got engaged in Paris, France. We have 2 amazingly weird young daughters, Chloe (7) and Samantha (3).

3) What has been the largest challenge you have had in being a father?

The biggest challenge other than financial (daycare is $$$!) would have to be finding time for my wife and I to get away and spend some time together alone. We love going to new restaurants around town but time, money and babysitters are sometimes hard to come by. It’s also tough finding time to get a little “me” time. For me that’s usually playing video games and involves waiting until late at night after the girls have gone to bed.

4) What advice would you give to other fathers?

It’s pretty cliché to say that childhood goes by quickly, but it’s seriously true. Take the time to enjoy every second of it, especially the little moments like helping them with their homework or playing make believe. Before you know it, they’ll be all grown up and Daddy won’t be the center of the universe anymore.

5) How have you come to balance parenthood and outside life?

That’s tough. For me being a dad is the most important thing in the world and everything I do is for them. But you still need to take the time to do your own thing as well. Get a babysitter and go do what it is that makes you happy. Whether it’s going to a restaurant or a concert or whatever. Even though you’ll still probably be thinking of your kids the whole time!

6) What have you learned from the fathers that you have interacted with?

I’ve learned that as tough as it may sometimes be, there are thousands of other dads going through the exact same thing. Many of them in even more challenging situations than we are. And if they can get through all of the tantrums and diaper explosions and sleepless nights than so can I.

7) What else would you share regarding your experiences as a father thus far?

Patience is incredibly important. It can be really easy to lose your cool when you’re tired, stressed and overworked. But you have to remember that they’re just kids and they’re not trying to be difficult, they just don’t know any better. Take a deep breath, step away from the situation for a moment and then come back at it with a clear head.

8) What have been the most memorable experiences that you have had thus far as a parent?

Besides watching the actual births, I’d say watching them learn. My oldest daughter just finished the 1st grade and seeing her learn so much in a short amount of time has been amazing. From learning to read to seeing her develop a love of science, it’s so much fun to watch her begin to transform from that small helpless child into an intelligent young girl.

If you have any questions for John Wahl, please leave a comment here and I will make sure that he gets them so that he may be able to respond!

Also, do you know a Dad in the Limelight? If so, please email me their contact information so that they too can be a part of this series!

Dads in the Limelight – Michael Smith

January 7, 2016 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Our 608th Dad in the Limelight is Michael Smith. I want to thank Michael Smith for being a part of this series. It has been great getting connected with him and now sharing Michael Smith with all of you.

1) Tell me about yourself, (as well as how you are in the limelight for my readers knowledge)

My name is Michael Smith. I’m 38 years old and I have been living in Jacksonville, Fla., since May 2014. I came to Jacksonville to begin a job as Associate Editor of the Florida Baptist Witness, the official news source of the Florida Baptist State Convention (goFBW.com).

2) Tell me about your family

My wife and I have been married 11 years. She is a stay-at-home mom who home-schools our two children, a 7-year-old boy and a 3-year-old girl. We also have two pet “kids”: a 15-year-old cat and a 13-year-old dog (a pug). My wife and I feel called by God to expand our family through foster care and/or adoption. To learn more about our journey visit, www.facebook.com/changingalifewithlove.

3) What has been the largest challenge you have had in being a father?

The biggest challenge I’ve faced as a father is being away from my family because I was working in a different city from where they were living. In January 2014, I was laid off from my job at a newspaper in Tampa, Fla. Two months later, I took a job in Birmingham, Ala., and my family and I were not permanently reunited until the very end of 2014. This separation caused me to really value the time I get to spend with my family.

4) What advice would you give to other fathers?

I believe that it is important for fathers to lead by example and “live out” the values you want to instill in your kids. Your walk must match your talk.

5) How have you come to balance parenthood and outside life?

I try to maintain balance in my life by setting my priorities and sticking to them (in order): God, family, everything else. I also try not to overcommit myself, which is hard for me.

6) What have you learned from the fathers that you have interacted with?

I’ve learned that we all have struggles and don’t have everything “figured out”—and that’s OK. I’m so appreciative of the fathers, including my own, who have taken the time to invest in me and I want to do the same for other fathers.

7) What else would you share regarding your experiences as a father thus far?

Don’t neglect quality one-on-one time with your wife. Make time for “date nights.” Tell your wife and kids you love them as much as you can. Offer them encouraging words that build them up and don’t tear them down.

8) What have been the most memorable experiences that you have had thus far as a parent?

The birth of my two children. Neither birth experience went as my wife and I envisioned, but looking back on them we see it was part of God’s perfect plan for our lives.

If you have any questions for Michael Smith, please leave a comment here and I will make sure that he gets them so that he may be able to respond!

Also, do you know a Dad in the Limelight? If so, please email me their contact information so that they too can be a part of this series!

Dads in the Limelight – Dallas Price of The Richfield Reaper

December 27, 2015 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Our 605th Dad in the Limelight is Dallas Price of The Richfield Reaper. I want to thank Dallas Price for being a part of this series. It has been great getting connected with him and now sharing Dallas Price with all of you.

1) Tell me about yourself, (as well as how you are in the limelight for my readers knowledge)

My name is Dallas Price, I’m in the limelight because, I was asked to be … actually I’m fine with being the guy behind the scenes. Sometimes, I do desire recognition for my work and what I do but, most of the time I’m fine just sitting in my chair and nodding agreement. I suppose this is my firstish guest post, so it’s kind of neat … I mainly design advertisements for the newspaper and write on my own blog, so being somewhere else is … pleasant. I design for the weekly newspaper The Richfield Reaper (www.richfieldreaper.com) do some freelance and computer repair work as it presents itself, I do silly illustrations for multiple microstock agencies and write for my own blog.

2) Tell me about your family

I have three girls and one boy … My 8 year old son is my sanity in this mess. My girls are 6, 3 and 1 … going on their next years in succession over the summer months. They are constantly at each others throats fighting over every single thing. My wife is the boss, she makes the whole place happen …

3) What has been the largest challenge you have had in being a father?

Balance … I’m very … I guess if I were to evaluate my parenting style I’d guess me close to the drill seargant but, I’m a total softy. My kids generally come home after school, do their homework, do their chore, play (if they have time), eat dinner, shower and go to bed. I’m not terribly forgiving on the schedule, it varies an hour some days. My biggest challenge is always exactly where the line is.

4) What advice would you give to other fathers?

Take your time, enjoy your time … there are very few more moments as precious in life as holding your childs hand as they do something for the first time. At the same time, don’t be afraid to let them entertain themselves … You aren’t their clown, you don’t have to entertain them … you’re there to help them and teach them. (and hopefully capture those moments, they only happen once)

5) How have you come to balance parenthood and outside life?

Outside life? lol. I’m home. Always. Everyday. I sometimes go out on Saturday nights but, this is the place for me really. My wife works full time, she brings in the money. I work part-time, I blog, I feed and bath kids, I clean (generally never enough) …

6) What have you learned from the fathers that you have interacted with?

That I’m not alone … sometimes it’s nice to hear people complain about what their kids did or whatever just to remember that every parent is basically in the same boat. I don’t know a bunch of other fathers. At least not many that take a terribly active roll in parenthood. Some don’t see their kids at all, some see thier kids for dinner, and a fair deal that only see thier children a couple of times a month … I won’t be one of them.

7) What else would you share regarding your experiences as a father thus far?

It’s a tough time, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise … I have learned to embrace the fact that I will cry during every single Disney movie, and mend wounds with a kiss … There are times that you have to hand out a good spanking even when it breaks your heart … and I promise a 6 year old girl is going to break your heart.

8) What have been the most memorable experiences that you have had thus far as a parent?

Um … I suppose my son’s seizure ends up forefront in my mind… definitely the scariest for me, it changed my life forever … second would be maybe when my (I think she was only 4 then) stood in the middle of the kitchen peeing on the floor and screaming “Look what you made me do” … It’s an adventure … Suppose those aren’t really positive, We went to the park this one time and nobody faught or pooped on a tree? lol. I’m joking of course there are memorable experiences daily … We just bought our first house! Idk I usually post them on my social profiles or sometimes my blog at drpgraphicdesign.com.

If you have any questions for Matt, please leave a comment here and I will make sure that he gets them so that he may be able to respond!

Also, do you know a Dad in the Limelight? If so, please email me their contact information so that they too can be a part of this series!