Tomorrow is Father’s Day! We still have more dads to feature, and today it is John Kinnear! Here is John’s bio and interview in his own words…
I was born in Minnesota on a cold day in June. I spent my youth in the foothills of Utah building club houses with booby traps that never worked. Eventually I grew up, married a women who was remarkably out of my league, and convinced her that I would make cute kids. Now the four of us live in Utah, have fun learning to function as a family, and never sleep.
My first memory as a father is… I didn’t really feel like a dad until we found out the sex of our first child. When I found out I was having a daughter I was elated for about fifteen minutes. About the time I got back to the car, it dawned on me how much I had to worry about. Suddenly I was flooded with this void of knowledge. I know nothing about girls. I know nearly nothing about women. How could I possibly be the mentor and guide she would need? What if she had self esteem issues? I didn’t have the answers then, and I don’t know. I do know that worrying is what made me feel like a father for the first time though.
The funniest thing my kids do is… Everything my kids do is funny. Sometimes it is funny to me, other times it is only funny to them. Recently, my daughter has started calling nipples nickels. I go with it because it makes conversations like these less awkward. (A little less)
Daughter: Do you have nickels Daddy?
Me: Yes
Daughter: And mommy has nickels?
Me: Yep. Mommy has nickels.
Daughter: I like nickels! Do you like nickels?
Me: Sure. They’re… uhm… useful for… uhm… milk…
Daughter: And Grandma has nickels?
Me: Yes… Grandma has nickels.
Daughter: Do you like Grandma’s nickels?
Me: Uhm… oh look! Doc Mcstuffins is on!
What’s in your man cave? A toilet and an iPhone.
My wife is my hero because… Got a year? I could write a dissertation on the ways my wife is heroic. I’ll just say that every time I think I am too tired, she hands me some of her strength. Every time I am overly frustrated, her calmness brings me back. When I don’t know what to do, she helps me find the answer. But most of all, she lets me do those things for her too. I couldn’t dream of a better partner.
How many hours of sleep do you get each night? Last night was rough. I got to sleep around 4, and woke up for work at 7. Most nights I get about double that. My wife gets less because she is still nursing our youngest.
How many hours of sleep did you get before you became a father? 8-10
What did you get your baby’s Mama for Mother’s Day? A $10.99 bag of concrete. You can read about it here.
If you your wife could vacation without your kids, where would you go? Bora bora.
If you could go on any vacation with your kids, where would you go? With my kids the age they are now? I’d probably prefer to stay home where we have all the things we need to keep them happy. In a few years I want to take them camping more. My wife would choose Disneyland.
What’s your favorite meal? Bratwurst, potato chips, baked beans.
What’s your favorite meal to cook for your kids? Meatballs, Cream of Mushroom Gravy, and Green Beens
How are you like your own dad? My dad and I have the exact same sense of cynical humor, opposite political views, and the same taste for whiskey. It makes for interesting family dinners.
My most traumatic parenting experience was when… My daughter had a seizure on Christmas Eve. It was after she had gone to bed and I was out on an errand. My wife called me in a panic, and I the car ride home was the worst 20 minutes of my life. After I got home we bundled her up and took her to the hospital. Everything turned out ok and she is fine now, but it still feels like a punch in the stomach to even think about it.
What sports team must your kids like? I would never require that my kids like a sports team, but since the Green Bay Packers are the greatest sports franchise in the history of the universe, I don’t foresee any problems with them loving any other teams.
What sports team can your kids never like? BYU Cougars. I don’t even want to think about it. I will have failed as a parent. I’m kidding. They can like whatever team they want. Just not BYU. OK, I wasn’t kidding.
Describe your perfect Father’s Day. This is so cheesy, and I can’t even believe that I am about to type it , but it is sincere and totally true. Every day is my perfect Father’s Day.
Make sure you head over and check out John’s Ask Your Dad blog, and follow him on Facebook and Twitter!