Our 849th Dad in the Limelight is Jerry Bair. I want to thank Jerry Bair for being a part of this series. It has been great getting connected with him and now sharing Jerry Bair 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 Jerry Bair. I’m a self-help blogger, Marine Corp veteran, and full-time IT professional. When I’m not writing or practicing ninjutsu, I try to be the most bad-ass husband and father I can be.
You can check out my blog at jerrybair.com.
2) Tell me about your family
I’m married to an amazing woman named Ashley. We have two children – our daughter Bella (4) and son Jax (turning 2 soon). They are a dynamic duo with boundless energy, joy, and love. They also really keep us on our toes.
3) What has been the largest challenge you have had in being a father?
One of the largest challenges I’ve had as a father is being able to discern between what’s age-appropriate behavior, what’s attention-seeking, and what’s purely circumstantial. Like many families, my two also have very different personalities, so what works for one may not necessarily work for the other.
4) What advice would you give to other fathers?
Firstly, do what you love or what gets you excited about life. If you love to write, then write. If you love to develop apps, then develop apps. If you can’t go all-in and do what you love full-time, then start small. When you’re unhappy with your career or business, it tends to show up in your family life and creeps into your day-to-day interactions.
Secondly, be present. When you’re playing with your children, turn off your phones or put them on Airplane mode and truly engage with them. Get on their level and use your imagination. Kids are like little barometers. They can tell when you’re mentally checked-out.
5) How have you come to balance parenthood and outside life?
Parenthood and outside life are always in a state of flux, so maintaining a healthy balance can be challenging. To make the most of both worlds, I set boundaries for work and home, such as minimal travel and no work or business after-hours unless it’s absolutely critical. I also try to set realistic expectations with peers, friends, and loved ones.
To further assist with balance, I prioritize. I have weekly reviews where I look across my top goals and the various areas of my life and allocate/adjust times and tasks for the things that matter most.
6) What have you learned from the fathers that you have interacted with?
Be patient and choose your battles. The best examples of this are when the kids are when the kids are overly tired or not feeling well. Their decision making isn’t exactly at its best during times like these, and if you just happen to be tired too, then you’ll find your patience wearing thin very quickly. However, if safety and family values aren’t being compromised, then it’s probably not worth the fight.
Escalating things, even when kids accidentally drop or break things, just adds unnecessary frustration and negative energy to the situation.
7) What else would you share regarding your experiences as a father thus far?
Experiences are far more rewarding than things. Kids always love new toys and treats. However, doing things WITH them lasts a lot longer.
8) What have been the most memorable experiences that you have had thus far as a parent?
We went to Disney World for a couple weeks when my daughter was 2. That was a blast! We also do a lot of memorable activities with the kiddos close to home.
Some of the most memorable moments, though, are random interactions with the kiddos where one of them will say or do something that completely catches me off guard. For example, my son just started saying “Love you, Dad” and it melts me every time!
If you have any questions for Jerry Bair, please leave a comment here and I will make sure that he gets them so that he may be able to respond!
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The post Dads in the Limelight – Jerry Bair appeared first on Dad of Divas.