On each of the 30 days leading up to Father’s Day, Life of Dad will feature a different incredible father from around the world.
Today we meet John Dadlez, stay at home dad to four kids (including triplets!), as well as great husband, and founder of www.themommydaddy.com. Read John’s interview starting now!
I really became a father when… Before the triplets were born I had all sorts of unrealistic ideas of how I was going to spend my time as a new dad while on leave from my job. I’d learn a new language, play guitar, paint the house, catch up on reading, finish my degree, that sort of thing.
I really became a father when I held my little girl for the first time in the neo-natal care unit. The triplets were preemies and they were so tiny and perfect. I was hypnotized by her and I heard myself mumble, “How can anyone doubt the existence of God?”
I shocked myself when I said that and realized everything in my life had changed.
My kids make me laugh when… they try to put something over on me, thinking they are being sooo cool and devious.
Favorite daddy cocktail once the kids crash? I like scotch. It’s one of the last vices I have left. I’m presently working on a bottle of Glenfiddich 18 yr old single malt. I drink it neat.
Dream date night with your lady, where would you go? I like nice hotels. Where I live, there is a hotel called “The Mission Inn.” Google it. We would get a suite, eat out, the kids would stay with the grandparents, and my wife and I wouldn’t be bothered until checkout at noon the next day.
What is the hardest thing about fatherhood? For me, the hardest part of fatherhood is watching my children grow up. I enjoy every stage of their life, and just start to get used to the one that they are in, then I blink, and it’s over and a new stage begins. I don’t get enough time to enjoy the stages they are in.
A classic example would be nap time for the kids when they were toddlers. Many times, in order to get them to sleep I’d have to take a nap with them. It was very common for one to curl up on my chest and go to sleep. I miss it so much. It was like a perpetual hug. I wish everyone could experience it and I feel sorry for those who haven’t.
What’s in your man cave? I was once a musician so my man cave, which is also my office, has a 24 track digital recording studio, drum machine, music software on dedicated computers, a keyboard, 3 guitars and a bass. My pride and joy is my Fender Telecaster.
How many hours of sleep each night? Sleep? What is this sleep you speak of?
What food that your kids eat do you like the most? You’ve got to be kidding. God, do I miss grown up food.
How has fatherhood changed in the last 20 years? When I was a kid my Dad was the king of the castle. When he came home from work he wasn’t to be bothered. He did his eight hours and that meant he was done for the day. He sat in his Lazy-Boy lounger and read the paper or fell asleep. If he was asleep it was with the newspaper over his head and when you crept up to the T.V. to change the channel he would instantly be awake and say, “Don’t touch that! I was watching that!”
If I had that attitude I’d be dead in a week. My wife would kill me.
Dream family vacation? Scotland! I would do a distillery tour and the wife would take the kids to a bunch of haunted castles.
Besides catching John at TheMommyDaddy, make sure you follow him on Twitter! We couldn’t be happier to have John as a part of Life of Dad, the first social network for fathers.