Our 666th Dad in the Limelight is Kevin ‘Spike’ Zelenka of Double Trouble Daddy. I want to thank Kevin ‘Spike’ Zelenka for being a part of this series. It has been great getting connected with him and now sharing Kevin ‘Spike’ Zelenka 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 Kevin ‘Spike’ Zelenka and I write a blog called Double Trouble Daddy. I’m a sales and training manager- turned stay at home father, which is truly the toughest job you’ll ever love. I’d always wanted to have kids, but never imagined I’d be a new father in my 40s. We live in a quiet suburb of Las Vegas, NV.
2) Tell me about your family
It’s 5 of us. My wife is a manager with a global Clinical Trial Monitoring company. Our twin sons are 3 (going on 16) and keep me on my toes every minute of every day. Finally, you have our dog, Frisco, who has dealt with not being the “baby” of the house pretty well. I stay at home with the boys full time, as well as doing a little freelance writing for several multiples magazines, and of course writing on my blog.
3) What has been the largest challenge you have had in being a father?
I think the biggest challenge has been sifting through the overload of information regarding correct parenting. Whether it’s unsolicited advice from friends and family, one of the countless books on the subject, or the rabbit-hole that is the internet, there is just so much information out there about raising children and it’s all conflicting. For two adults that had never done this before, it was a little confusing, but I think we’ve survived pretty well.
4) What advice would you give to other fathers?
Every day is the right day to be the perfect Dad. Everyone wants to be the perfect father. At least they want to be better than those that came before them. This is not always going to happen. Dads get angry. Dads get frustrated. Dads pull their own hair out, and sometimes we feel like we’ve failed. Take a deep breath, and know that what you are going through is nothing new to any of us. Don’t beat yourself up. Take a deep breath, and treat every day as a brand new day.
5) How have you come to balance parenthood and outside life?
Mini breaks. My wife and I try and plan at least one date night per month to re-connect. I think that’s very important. I also get out of the house for a Dads Night Out once a month with other fathers in our community. You can’t be an effective parent if you don’t get a chance to recharge occasionally.
6) What have you learned from the fathers that you have interacted with?
A lot! Being part of a dads group has shown me that the everyday struggles we go through at home with toddlers is normal. Everyone with children knows why they are called the “terrible twos” the “terrorizing threes” and “the fearsome fours.” It’s just nice to hear that you’re not alone. Being part of several Dad Facebook groups has taught me so much as well. As people ask questions, and other fathers respond, there is just a wealth of practical information that you’re not going to get in a book. These are real solutions from real guys.
7) What else would you share regarding your experiences as a father thus far?
It’s been an amazing journey, and it’s been less than 4 years. I can’t wait to see what the next 14 bring.
If you have any questions for Kevin ‘Spike’ Zelenka, 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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