Day 14: Manhunts, Baseball Hats And Hiding Veg

day14-1Whoa boy, this is going to be a short post to end the week. It has been a long day with the wife still out on the town. She went to a play with some friends, so it was a dad dinner and double bedtime night. All done.

Most of today was spent watching or listening to the news out of Boston. We have friends who live in Belmont, not that far from Watertown. So it was great to hear they were okay. Bored, but okay.

The story has been crazy to follow and as I write this post, it might be coming to an end. At least for “white cap” and his run from the law.

What have we really learned today?

24 hour news is painful. There are a lot of “experts” on TV today who clearly did not know shit. All they are doing is watching what we see, reading what we read and then speculating. It is bad, bad television.

The CBC guy basically was referring to movie scripts I think.

Other than that, pretty quiet day.

Day 13: Rewarded Myself With A Movie

day13Good evening, I am sitting here in the dark with the hum of the laptop keeping the house from being totally silent. Yep, boys are in bed and it is time to reflect on another day of parental leave.

It has been over two weeks now and I am really getting into the routine. Thursday and Friday it is just Charlie, so it makes it easy to have a quiet and relaxed day. I mean, he does not say much (yet).

Today was pretty routine although the dog walk today involved a half trail with Charlie sitting in the stroller without the car seat. Sitting and looking forward. Yep, he loved it.

Once lunch was over, I did a few computer things and before I knew it, Charlie fell asleep on me. Wow, the fresh air did the trick. Not so fast mister. I had to wake him up for a bottle so he could have his long afternoon nap.

Once he was swinging away, I decided to do something I had not done in several weeks. I watched a movie. Forget chores or endless things I could do on the computer, I needed to just chill out. I presented it to myself as a reward for a busy two weeks.

Oakland A’s Slugger Brandon Moss Trades Dingers For Diapers

Major League Baseball and parental leave? Two things I would of never thought I would read about. Then I did.

From Fathers, Work and Family

The First Paternity Leave of the 2013 Major League Baseball Season- The Oakland A’s Brandon Moss.

It is only 72 hours, but it’s a step in the right direction. Baseball’s policy, unique among major sports, represents a formal endorsement of the concept of paternity leave.

Prior to this policy, players were often excused for a day or two by their teams- but it was totally at management’s discretion, and the team would have to play with the disadvantage of one fewer player on the roster until the new dad returned.

Right on Brandon. Short indeed but a step in the right direction. All dads should have the option regardless of their job.

Today Is My Last Day Of Work

Michael CusdenNo, I did not retire in my 30’s, win the lottery or just decide to become a recluse – today is my last day of work because I am starting parental leave next week.

For 27 weeks I will be the parent on duty during the day while my wife heads back to work.

Why on earth am I doing this? Because I want to.

So today is my last eight hours of working for the man so to speak. Now don’t get me wrong, I really enjoy my job as a marketer at SimplyCast. The office is fun and I get to do what I do best – write stuff.

But this stay home dad thing has been something I have wanted to do ever since we had our first boy.

It is not a vacation, a break, a rest, a chance to take it easy or any of the many other terms people use when you say you are going on parental leave. It is honest-to-god, hard ass work and for all the parents who do it – my hat goes off to you.

Working in an office all day, sitting in a chair typing is not hard compared to what is in store. But it will also be 27 weeks of fun, learning, laughs, naps, tears, poop, crying and growth. That is not even referring to the baby.