Dads in the Limelight – Michael Prywes

Professionally, I’m an attorney for artists and entrepreneurs, bestselling author of The Gasp: How to Seize That A-Ha! Moment and Turn It Into a Winning Business and host of the podcast “How I Broke Into.” I’m also the father of two boys, Z and E, ages 10 and 8, respectively, and the husband of Devra, who has decided to stick with me for the past 23 years (married for 16).

2) Tell me about your family

Our family is wild and crazy. We can be very messy sometimes. And loud. But I like to think we’re fun. My wife is the quieter one. But she does share a home with 3 guys, so many people would say she’s a saint.

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

I think the largest challenge in any arena of life is the disconnect between expectation and reality. My boys are always changing, and, though it’s not as noticeable and rapid, I think so are we as parents.

4) What advice would you give to other fathers?

Really listen. And record. Write down conversations you hear and have. Take pictures, even if you’re a lousy photographer. Record audio or video. You will appreciate having them later.

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

I don’t believe in balance. In my book, I discuss something called the T.E.E.M. Budget. We only have a baseline of Time, Energy, Emotion, and Money. Everything else is either an investment, a drain, or a surplus. So, when considering things to do as a parent, husband, son, friend, community member, attorney, author, speaker, and teacher, I have to ask myself, will this be a good use of my family’s time? Will this energize my family or drain my family of energy? Will we feel emotionally edified by this? Will this be a good use of my family’s money? Decisions based on these questions can often lead to surprising outcomes.

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

Most fathers today that I have met have seen a life’s purpose in being a good father. I think it’s much more important to fathers to be as essential as mothers to children than it used to be. But there are also some men who don’t know how to be good fathers, who don’t spend enough of their T.E.E.M. Budget finding out how to best take care of their children.

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

What works for one child doesn’t necessarily work for the other. Be forgiving of yourself and your family. Work on your ability to focus on what’s in front of you 100%–there is no such thing as good multi-focus. Find time to take care of yourself. Don’t force square pegs into round holes–your child is NOT your second chance at the life you wish you had lived.

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