I started a Books page the other day to track the list of books that I’ve read. I do this already in Goodreads, but I wanted a place on my website to store this data, too. After reading a book, I’m also going to write up a quick review and link to those reviews on the page.

I left Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram a few months ago. My retreat from the digital world to exclusively using my own domain was the result of many things. The availability, ease of use, development, and robustness of Micro.blog made this transition easier than I thought.

The corporate internet isn’t fun anymore. By “corporate,” I mean the mega-websites and mega-social networks. Remember when you used to rush home after class and log on and see what your friends were up to? You’d see an ad here or there, but mostly it was just content that you wanted to see. Friends updating on their activities, a few pictures, it was great. There was a sense of wonder and discovery. The timeline of today has little relation to the timeline of seven years ago. It’s all ads, many of which are being pushed by your “friends,” and reposted content that offers little substance. It’s not an exchange of ideas, its an onslaught of time-wasters. The networks have piled on “features” that weigh heavily on the user experience.

The negativity was getting to me. Twitter is by far the worst offender, but any website that has a comment section is equally guilty. I don’t know who these people are (many are not even people at all) who seem to have endless blocks of time to spew the most inane and random commentary into the internet. Even some of the original content is filled with depressing themes, and hopelessness. Regardless of how bad things get, I’m still filled with American optimism that things will get better. The future is bright because we all still have within us innate goodness, and our brains crave community.

You are what you read. As I return more deeply to my love of reading, I’ve noticed a change in me. I have more headspace, fewer things bother me throughout the day, and I feel a greater sense of fulfillment. That’s because when I read a book instead of reading a timeline, I’m expanding my horizons and exercising my mind. I can learn about literally anything in the known universe that interests me. I’ve even found myself watching a lot less Netflix, and I’m better for it.

I’ll do my best to get people to join me in leaving social media. It was great at the beginning, but today is only a shell of its former self. There are better ways to spend your life. And if you still want to have a place to share your thoughts, adventures, and pictures, pick up a domain name and join me on Micro.blog.

Alison suggested that we read some parenting books to help us as our kids begin to come into their own. It was a brilliant suggestion. Everything that they’re doing is coming into focus and now I have more constructive ways to respond.

Another great adventure at our outstanding zoo. We’re so lucky to have a great variety of species in such a small market

In a culture that celebrates being “busy,” it can be hard to quit. I’m now in my third year as a stay-at-home dad. When I first started, Benedict was just six months old. He slept most of the day, and so I had to find things to occupy my time. I did some freelance web design work and blogging, and my schedule was mostly my own.

Then came Felicity. And now, Lucy. In a few blinks of an eye, I have three kids in my charge and Benedict is up and ready for action nearly 12 hours a day.

I didn’t adapt to this disruption very well. I kept taking on the needs of the kids and adding them to my project to-dos. My Things library was constantly full of late and overdue items. I was behind on cleaning and home maintenance tasks. All of the time that Alison spent at home, I used to try to get caught back up. I never quite made it. In all of this, I noticed how I was getting more agitated. I was struggling to put my priorities in the proper place and struggling to get done what I set out to do.

It’s time for me to press pause. I’ve mothballed all of my projects and now am singularly focused on my primary job: stay-at-home dad.

While this life may seem easy or glamorous, it comes with many of the same challenges that parents in the workforce face. In-depth planning, focus, and patience are all part of the job. There’s also an element of social isolation. There are lots of dads like me out in America, but we haven’t organized and the moms aren’t sure they want us to be a part of their groups. It’s not miserable, but group activities once in a while could be fun.

By walking away from commitments to myself that I can break, I know that I’m walking towards being a better dad. There’s nothing wrong with leaving the workforce to take care of your own children. Seeking the applause of your peers as you climb in your career will only lead to sadness. Doing anything for the sole purpose of gaining praise is a mistake. I’m not ashamed that my full-time job is to cook, clean, and raise my kids. So when people ask me what I do, I’ll tell them with a smile, “I’m a stay-at-home dad.”

Thinking about my niece this morning. St. Maddux, pray for us!🌹

Nothing feels quite as good as a clean slate.

Reusing baby clothes really only works if you hit the gender and seasons jussssssst right.

You’ve Got Mail is a fantastic movie. Still great all these years later

We got into town late last night, and thankfully the dark shades in our room kept the kids asleep until 8:15am.

Just a quick trip around the corner to see The Alamo! The grounds were even more beautiful than I remember.

Quid est veritas?