Frederick's Child Magazine
What’s the hardest part about juggling both parenthood and your career?
The hardest part about juggling parenthood and my career is balancing the time evenly between the two. Priorities always need to be set in both areas, which often means I must miss important moments in my child’s life or a deadline at work. While I am passionate about a successful career, my personal happiness is highly driven by the presence in my children’s day-to-day lives.
What factors make balancing both easier for you? How do you set your priorities when it comes to family?
Working for a company that also values the importance of family has played a critical part in my ability to balance my career and parenting. My children’s happiness and well-being always come first. I have always believed that money can buy you the luxuries in life, but it cannot buy you happiness. Having this core value makes it easier to set my priorities.
What do you love about being a parent?
I have loved being a parent since the day my first child Addison was born. Through my children, I get to experience everything like it is new. Sharing in their excitement and achievements and watching them become their own people through my influence is incredibly gratifying. The unconditional love they show me every day is the absolute best part of being a parent.
What’s your biggest parenting fail?
Parenting is one of the hardest jobs in the world. My biggest failure as a parent is setting rules, limits and consistent routines for them. Because seeing them happy makes me thrive, I tend to parent more freely, which can often lead to resistance when I do put my foot down. I am lucky my wife does a fantastic job of ensuring our children understand our parenting expectations.
What do you like the most about watching your kids participate in sports?
They learn to work as part of a team, and I see the friendships they create. Not only are they learning valuable life lessons such as discipline and dedication, but they are rewarded with the support of their teammates and creating bonds that can last a lifetime.
What do you hope your children will take away from their sports experiences?
I hope my children take away lifelong values that come along with sports. Sports teach you discipline, perseverance, dedication, responsibility and sacrifice. Most importantly, I want my children to look back and look at how much fun it was to play!
TITLE: Production manager for Johnson Hydroseeding Corp.
LIVES: Urbana
FAMILY: Sarah (wife), Addison and Johnny
FAMILY FAVORITES
FAMILY MEAL: Dad’s famous spaghetti and meatballs
FAMILY SNACK: Popcorn
WAY TO SPEND A WEEKEND WITH YOUR FAMILY: Our weekends are filled with sports games, outside activities and spending time with friends and family.
vacation: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
