Welcome to the latest Digital Dad interview. Each week we bring an interview with a Dad and get their take on work, life and family. This week we are pleased to be interviewing Don Jackson.
Before we get started with the questions… a little about Don.
Don hails from St. Louis, Missouri, is the dad of a 2-year-old, and the stepdad of a 7-year-old. Don writes about life, the universe and everything–from the perspective of a Dad. He enjoy frequent trips with his family to parks, museums, and the great outdoors (He also writes about many of those great adventures). Don also enjoys connecting with fellow bloggers–to learn from and network with them.
What do you like most about being a Dad?
“I love everything about being a dad, from the poo-agedan diapers, to the epic tickle fights. I can’t really say it is one thing more than another, though. I think fatherhood is one of those experiences where you have to take the good with the bad. It’s all part of the journey of life. And, life is not always rainbows and puppies.”
What’s been your proudest moment (so far) as a Dad?
“Oh boy, I would have to say, my proudest moment is when my son was born. It was one of the coldest days in February here in the New Mexico in like 100 years. And, of course, we were trying to do a water birth at home. I was running around the house with my mom and Gavin’s brother, who was 5 at the time, trying to heat water and fill this birthing tub. We were like the Keystone Cops.
We ended up not using it as it was proving to be too much work and way too cold out for it (and we couldn’t keep the water warm enough). When I first saw his face, I knew I would forever be one with my son. It was the happiest and saddest time for me, as I felt like I was not going to be able to be the dad he deserved or needed me to be.
I try everyday to live up to that, as Vince Lombardi said to the Green Bay Packers during their first team meeting, “Gentlemen, we are going to relentlessly chase perfection, knowing full well we will not catch it, because nothing is perfect. But we are going to relentlessly chase it, because in the process we will catch excellence. I am not remotely interested in just being good.”
What do you want your kid(s) to remember you for the most?
“I guess: that I always tried to do right by him; that I may have not been perfect, but I put him first; and that I was always there for him when he needed me.”
When did you start blogging?
“I started my blog about 8 months ago, and I’ve enjoy every moment of writing (as do my 4 fans).”
What’s your biggest challenge in balancing life/work/blog? How do you manage it?
“Well, I work from home and also take care of my son during the day, so what is the most important part of making that work is finding a routine. But, also it’s important to stay on-task, even when you want to play with your son, for the 10th time that morning.
When those days happen, I tend to have some late nights, getting a blog post out for the next day. I do have to say: I would not trade being a SAH/WFH dad. I get to see my son all-day long and I don’t miss anything he does. He is changing minute-by-minute.”
Current City/State?
Albuquerque, NM
Blog Title & URL?
Daddynewbie.com http://www.daddynewbie.com/
Cookie or Brownie?
“I would like to say brownie, but I am doing a weight-loss challenge for a dad blogger group I belong to. We call the challenge: Chuck the Chunk: On the Road to Dad 2.0 Summit 2014. So sadly for me, no cookie or brownie.”
P.S. If you know a Dad interested in being profiled here on the Digital Dad, please let me know here.