stay-at-home dad or consultant?

When we lived in Los Angeles we were well exposed to the joke that every waiter/waitress in town is really an actor waiting to be discovered.

I've found a similar situation with some stay-at-home dads who seem uneasy with that designation and are quick to call themselves a consultant or a trainer or (fill in the blank).  I think staying home with a child is an honorable and important calling and I've never seen any reason for people to minimize it.

Since late July, I've been a stay-at-home dad, although i really didn't start that job in earnest until Mona started working two weeks ago.  Until then I shamelessly slept in while she pretty much did what she's always done, which is almost everything around the house.

It's a hard job which I hope isn't long-term.  But, until I figure out exactly what it is that I want to do I'm not gonna sugar-coat it--I'm a stay-at-home dad. 

Changes at home

My wife Mona re-entered the work force full-time two weeks ago.  While we had talked for some time about her returning to full-time work when our youngest entered full-day school, it has nonetheless been a stressful event.   

I know things will get easier for her with time, but right now she spends a lot of time at night and on the weekend doing "homework" and otherwise preparing for her job.  She is very hard-working and conscientious!  She recognizes that she's been given a great opportunity.  We were very lucky in today's economy to find something which is challenging and which will help her refresh her skills.

I'm proud of her.

Duckstad has a good night

Council member Jon Duckstad is running to succeed me as mayor of Eden Prairie. He was in good form tonight.  He moved to freeze the budget for 2011; the ensuing debate was long. His motion failed but he made his point--he's committed to fighting for the taxpayer.  That's a winning message.

Slow running today

I ran the Victory 10K in North Minneapolis this morning. It's a great community race and my favorite 10K.  The course is nice and flat and the local Lions and other groups do a great job of making it a fun event.  I've run it five times; today was my slowest race by far. But, I wasn't running for time. 

You know your perspective on running has changed when after the race you reach for a hot dog and not a banana!

http://www.raceberryjam.com/indexrr.html

notre dame wins!

Notre Dame won its opener yesterday against Purdue. It wasn't very pretty, but it was a win. Big news in the Young household, as my boys love to watch football with me.  And, a good start makes it more likely that we'll roadtrip out for a game this year. 

Pat and Ian have their first football games this year.  The Eden Prairie Football Association starts contact football in third grade.  It is hard to think of my 55 pound 8 year old playing football, but the kids don't move that fast so i suppose the collisions will be manageable for him.

Ian Young, Eden Prairie football star

Fall is in the air in Eden Prairie

Yesterday's high was in the 60s. The three oldest boys and I went to the Twins game at Target Field. Many fans were wearing hats and warm jackets.

The boys enjoyed the game. Whether they would have done so absent new hats and plenty of treats i'd rather not know.

I enjoy the cooler temperature.  I have a harder time getting accustomed to the shorter days.