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When I was growing up, my father worked a swing shift at a factory and was hardly ever home. Most of the time he was working or sleeping while I was home and on the few days off or free hours he had, dad spent it fixing up the house and taking care of other head of the household duties.
My dad didn’t get to see many of my baseball or basketball games. I didn’t get to have those weekend fishing trips or spend a few hours a week playing catch in the backyard. He didn’t want to work those hours, but it was the only way he could provide the life he wanted for his family. My father sacrificed much of his family time for the sake of providing for that same family.
As a teen, I made the decision that no matter the circumstances, I would not be that kind of father to my children. I would spend every waking moment making memories and work only as much as needed. I would play with them outside, go to as many of their extracurricular activities as I could and always be there for them. I wanted to create a work-life balance.
My body clock’s alarm went off at 4:17 this morning. In the past, I have been a night owl, working until the wee hours in the morning. That is no longer the case. I find that I have begun to awaken anywhere between 4am and 5am. This is becoming the case even when I don’t have to go to work. I may go back to sleep for awhile, but the clock is only reset for a short while.
As I sit here bleary –eyed, sucking on a 
Recently, I stared ay my 
In almost every parenting book I have read, the experts say that parents need time away not only together, but also by themselves and way from the kids, home, etc. They suggest once or twice a month where you should go and relax by going to a movie, going out to dinner or hanging out with the guys.
