Be a great dad to my kids

I marked this goal done now that my son is about 1,5 years old. I have a hunch that so far, I’ve done OK, but this really is a goal that will take up the rest of my life.

I’m not really done. But in order to make my goals more measurable, I’m closing this one. The story goes on :)

Oiva is now almost two months old. :)

With the birth of my daughter, I was still working 60 hour weeks. Four years later when my son was born and my wife went back to work, I couldn’t imagine both of them being taken care of by a patchwork quilt of neighbors, friends, and daycare. I gave up my career of 20 years to do more flexible work, including launching GreatDad.com (http://www.greatdad.com) as a source of parenting info for dads who want to spend more and better quality time with their kids.

Good luck! Time spent with kids is worth it!

I’m keeping this as #1 on my list, so when I review my list it encourages me to get off the computer and on the floor with the little miracles. (Right now one is taking a nap and the other is at a bday party… hence my ability to play here!)

of being a dad who is there for my daughter. Even though I’m divorced now, I make time to see my daughter 6 days a week. I spend enough time with her during the work week then on weekends we spend just time at home, some time cooking, time just being with eachother. I’m very happy with where I am in her life.

with Kate. Instead of just rushing her along. I’m also
traveling by Bart (train) with her, instead of driving. Then I can actually spend time with her on Bart and talk to her and play with her.

It’s really neat way of commuting

today from a lady in menlo park

so I can run with my daughter, I want her to be part of my exercise routine so she will grow up loving to exercise.

This is the easiest and most challenging thing on my list. It’s easiest because being with my kid and giving him my attention is so instantly rewarding. It’s the most challenging because I have to get over myself. I can’t let anything else matter when I’m with him, and yet the world tries to pull me away…

A recent episode has highlighted the importance of my kids to me. I therefore plan to be not just a good dad, but a great one. Mini goals are:

1. Tell them I love them everyday
2. Share affection
3. Spend more time with them – and have more time for them.