The Jaegermeister

We watch NBC’s Parenthood. At first it was the impressive cast that got us interested and then we were hooked that it wasn’t as silly and far-fetched as the 1989 Ron Howard/Steve Martin dramedy. But what I am most impressed with and enjoy is Sam Jaeger’s character who happens to be a SAHD. And besides his charm and good-looks he actually enjoys and is at ease in letting his wife work (she is a lawyer) and he’s totally fine in not working but watching his daughter. Call it good timing that I’m going through the same thing but now I’m watching this dude every week going through the same thing on a popular TV show. Of course in an hour-long drama with a cast of 20 he’s not always highlighted but he has had some good moments. But in our family I’m hardly the highlight too.

But last season he was more laid-back and less interested in going back to work (he’s a contractor/handyman) but this current season they gave him the conflict of wanting to do some small jobs to help out some people and juggling the time between his daughter and those jobs. But I totally agree that any one, not just men, should not only have an outlet outside the home and kids (especially when being home with the kids ALL DAY is your day) is needed and healthy but doing some work not a hobby is also important especially when one is a professional. I’m a graphic designer by trade and all I need is a good computer with Photoshop to do any work so me saying a home raising my daughter is perfect because there’s not too many jobs one could do in the comfort of ones’ own home. I’ve done some freelance work since losing my job in 2008 and they are mostly small jobs for friends and family but I have done some corporate work as well. Frankly, at this point I can barely juggle my graphic work and my daddy responsibilities. She sucks up most of my time that I can devote to anything not related to her. As of now she is on one nap a day and it’s maybe an hour-and-a-half, two hours if I’m lucky. Last year when she was on two naps I had more time to do some work but now I an barely check my email. So I mostly stay up later at night to do work these days when I get freelance work. But I’m never super busy so it works out. Surprisingly and fortunately we are doing fine financially on one-income, so fingers-crossed, we can stay afloat as long we can.

Now I’m not saying that I will never go back to work full time but I just don’t see that happening anytime soon. In the decade I worked full time as a designer I had one job out of six that I liked and an office I enjoyed working in. Call it bad luck or bad profession but I am very bitter and reluctant to return to that life. I will take sleepless nights, dirty diapers, crying for (seemingly) no reason and temper tantrums over the mindless office politics and asshole bosses any day. I don’t need to go to an office and commute hours away to feel good about myself. I’m confident enough that I don’t need recognition, promotions or accolades from some boss. My baby is my boss now and she may be over-working me and whiny like an office boss but she is by far the best boss I ever had. Sometimes she gives me a lunch break too.

Here’s to my new buddy, The Jaegermeister!