For a while now, Dave Fowler’s ‘Work At Home Dad’ blog – teachmychildrenwell – has been on my personal blogroll list.
Here’s a guy that took leave of absence from a steady, secure job (law enforcement; he’s a UK policeman), in order to make a go of being a ‘work at home dad’.
Dave’s writing presented occasional snapshots of how caring for 4 young, demanding children plus going hell-for-leather into the world of blogging ultimately did not compute.
Blogging can be a major time sink – and sometimes family members do get tired of seeing only the back of your head, day after day. (Unless, of course, digital money is being made, in which case you may get extra tea and chocolate biscuits delivered to your very mousepad!)
After some serious thinking about not just his own future, but also that of his family, Dave has recently decided to return to his old job. He’s also taking a break from blogging.
From knowing almost nothing about blogs and the online world, Dave’s come a long way in a matter of months – as both the design and content of his blog attest to.
At this time (March 09) his writing is still online – so if you’ve got a young family and are looking at making mid-career changes, stop by and check out what he has to say.
All the best, Dave! (And I still think you have some great writing to come. Give it time, man. Give it time.)
- Mark McClure
PS – I will be replacing Dave’s blog with one that is still being updated. “Nothing personal, just taking care of business.” (as Daley Thompson used to say!)
But I will leave the link in this post (unless the blog goes offline.)
Tags Career Change Life
One Comment
I’m now 19 and experiencing being a dad. I must say although it feels good it’s still hard. I knew it wouldn’t be easy but to be honest, the hard part is having to balance time. My daughter is great and makes managing her never dreadful. -Teen dad
[Hello TD,
Interesting domain name you have! The copywriter in me noticed it straight away.
Keep blogging and if you get through the next year or two intact, you might have the makings of a good book that could help many deal with what you and yours experienced.
I'm not saying you should commercialize your blog (you may want to remain totally anonymous - that's your choice and something worth thinking very carefully about, especially for your gf and your daughter's sakes.)
But you can write well IMO - your description of the visit to PP had my palms sweating too. Just keep the idea in the back of your mind that one day your writing might help others beyond the blog that's emerging now.)
Good Luck!
Mark]