Ask A Dad - 10 Questions With Father Muskrat, Michael "Moe" Daniels

This week for "Ask A Dad" Q&A interview the hilarious Father Muskrat, Michael "Moe" Daniels. I've enjoyed visiting the Muskrat blog for some time for two reasons. First, this guy is a major Dukes of Hazzard fan. As me and my brothers were raised by the Dukes, that makes Father Muskrat family. Secondly, he's a great and giggle inducing writer with some amazing and funny stories. 

Thanks to The Muskrat for letting us pick his brain a bit!. 

1. What's the best part of being a dad?

I used to think it was the tax credit, but that gets fazed out at higher income levels, apparently. The unconditional love is nice, but my dog was giving me that. I think it's the humor...little children don't understand how the world works yet, so they ask some ridiculous (and often pretty stupid) questions that are great entertainment!

2 What has been the most challenging part of being a dad?

Trying to be a good example. I have to work to avoid using my usual profane metaphors and expletives in front of them.

3. What's your "they never told me THAT" story?

I had no idea that the 2yo little girl would want to yank on the 4yo little boy's johnson in the bath tub. No matter how many times I tell her to quit -- and how many times I tell the boy not to let anyone yank on his member-- it happens every time I look at my phone or walk out of the bathroom for a minute during bath time. Children are gross.

4. What's one lesson you could pass on that you've learned about being a father?

Buy the "booty camp" DVD for potty training, give it to your spouse, and then volunteer to take the other children somewhere fun while she does the potty training.

5. How are you able to find time for yourself, or as a couple?

I have to go out of town to unwind. I also try to "network" a lot, which means going to a bar with a bunch of people I like to go to bars with. As a couple, we try to go out of town 1-2 times a year without the babies.

6. How have children altered life's game plan?

I had planned to live in the city indefinitely and spend extra money on travel and perhaps a vacation house. A year ago, we moved just outside the city to be away from crime and sh$#!y schools. All my extra money goes to fixing issues with this f@#!ing house.

7. Do you have any tricks for eating or bed times?

I threaten to beat them if they don't obey. It works most of the time.

8. What's your escape from the chaos, be it a hobby, tech gear, etc?

Traveling and drinking (most of the time, both!).

9. What lessons do you feel like you're passing on well,...and maybe not so well.

I try to emphasize making good choices and have some self discipline. I'm not that old or that wise, but I've been alive long enough to observe that the happy, successful people I knew aren't necessarily the smartest or most talented people, but are instead the ones who are intentional about their lives and are willing to delay gratification, take a risk every now and again, and avoid following the crowd into mediocrity. I'll talk to them about things their older (17) sister is doing well or not well; I do the same for other members of the extended family they meet. I'm brutally honest with them.

10. Mini Van or SUV?

With 4 children, a minivan is much more useful for us than would be an SUV. Better mileage and more room to pack suitcases and people (plus the dog) when we travel. That said, we plan to get an SUV in a couple years when the oldest is away in college, and the younger ones are no longer in bulky car seats. Only my wife drives the minivan, I'll add.

Thanks again to Moe at Father Muskrat. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter for a taste of one of the good 'ole boys!

J.

Be on the lookout for future interviews, Q & As, interrogations and so forth on "Ask A Dad". 

Ask A Dad - 10 Questions With Writing Pad Dad, Justin Knight

Next up for "Ask A Dad" Q&A interview is the very funny and great writer Justin Knight at Writing Pad Dad. Justin is a husband and father of a handsome "mini-me" little boy. He's always cracking me up with his candid posts about being a father and hubby. Thanks to Justin for some insight into his life. 

1. What's the best part of being a dad?

I'd say seeing my son grow and try new things. Unlike me, he meets new experiences with excitement and enthusiasm. It's great to see.

2 What has been the most challenging part of being a dad?

Managing my time and trying to always be patient.

3. What's your "they never told me THAT" story?

That you never sleep as soundly as you did before you were a dad.

4. What's one lesson you could pass on that you've learned about being a father?

Being a Dad is the most important thing you will ever do. Don't screw it up.

5. How are you able to find time for yourself, or as a couple?

For myself, blogging and reading. As a couple, date nights are a work in progress!

6. How have children altered life's game plan?

Not really. Having a family was always part of my plan.

7. Do you have any tricks for eating or bed times?

I wish I did. Being consistent helps!

8. What's your escape from the chaos, be it a hobby, tech gear, etc?

Zoning out in front of the TV.

9. What lessons do you feel like you're passing on well,...and maybe not so well.

Hopefully, I am teaching my son that life really centers around family. 

10. Mini Van or SUV?

SUV

Thanks again to Justin Knight at Writing Pad Dad. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter for your fix for the day!

J.

Be on the lookout for future interviews, Q & As, interrogations and so forth on "Ask A Dad". 

Ask A Dad - 10 Questions With The Busy Dad, Jim Lin

 



This is the first installment of "Ask A Dad". The inaugural interview is with Jim Lin of The Busy Dad blog. Jim is a hilarious father of two, with some great perspective on fatherhood. His humor is matched by his creativity, as there are some hilarious videos he's made. Thanks to Jim for taking some time so that we can get to know him!


1. What's the best part of being a dad?
Knowing that you matter. Simple as that. Your child's every smile, every moment of triumph, every tear -- what you do or don't do impacts that.

2 What has been the most challenging part of being a dad?
What I said above. The most rewarding things in life are the ones that scare you to death.

3. What's your "they never told me THAT" story?
Infants can spray poop up to 8 ft if on a changing table at the right angle. Yes, I measured.

4. What's one lesson you could pass on that you've learned about being a father?
Learn to laugh about it. Parenting is draining if you look at it from the perspective of trying not to mess up. But if you go into it knowing that things will never go as planned, you can at least chuckle and move on.

5. How are you able to find time for yourself, or as a couple?
Get the kids to bed as early s humanly possible. I believe all the great inventions of human civilization were discovered with a beer in hand, after the kids went to bed.

6. How have children altered life's game plan?
Although my son wasn't planned, having him didn't knock me off any trajectories. Maybe it's that I simply create really open ended game plans with endless contingencies. And maybe this should be my answer for the lesson I would pass on.

7.  Do you have any tricks for eating or bed times?
For eating, "put some cheese on it." I don't care what it is. Put cheese on it, and your kid will eat it. For bedtime, both our kids were able to sleep on their own through the night at 4 months. The Cry It Out Method (is that a thing? I don't know. Using initial caps makes it look official) is incredibly effective. At most, they'd have maybe a week of crying it out (just check on them every 15 minutes so they know you didn't abandon them). After that? Like clockwork.

8. What's your escape from the chaos, be it a hobby, tech gear, etc?
Up until last year, it was Muay Thai (been a martial artist 20+ years), but now with my new job and insane schedule, it's Jack Daniels and Netflix.

9. What lessons do you feel like you're passing on well,...and maybe not so well?
Like UFC in the old days, "the only rule is, there are no rules!"

10. Mini Van or SUV?
SUV, unless someone could give me a lifted mini van with flames and skulls painted on the side.


Thanks again to Jim Lin at The Busy Dad blog. Follow him for the latest advice and adventures!

J.


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