Featured Blog: Clare’s Dad

Our Featured Blog is Clare’s Dad, written by Darren who is, as you probably guessed, Clever Parent that you are, Clare’s Dad. Clearly a clever fellow, Darren has an MFA in from Columbia as well as a law degree and has worked in theatre management as well as law. Currently he’s a stay at home dad to Clare, his 5-year-old daughter.

Not having a daughter, I like Darren’s blog because it’s a great window into the father/daughter relationship. At 5 Clare evidently has quite the eye for style—specifying her haircut and putting together outfits—to the obvious amazement of her dad who confesses that, “Clare is hipper than I am.” Then there is the post where Darren and his wife realize they might have to sell their house because Bigfoot inhabits it.

Clever Parents: What’s your favorite activity to do with Clare?

Clare’s Dad (Darren): I’ve always loved any time spent with Clare. But now that she’s getting older, we share some interests and that’s really fun. We like watching movies and eating popcorn, playing board games, and reading, but our favorite activity together is family swim at the YMCA.

Clever Parents: What’s been the biggest surprise about fatherhood?

Clare’s Dad: There have been a lot of surprises. I don’t think that many new parents are prepared for how much a little person is going to take over their lives. And, although we all know that we’re going to love our kids, even that love ends up being more than expected. But the biggest surprise for me is probably how much fun Clare and I have together. I try to find a balance and be her Dad, but I can also say that one of my best friends is a five year-old girl. I didn’t expect that.

Clever Parents: Before staying home with Clare, you were in theater production and management. Tell us about that.

Clare’s Dad: I’ve had a couple careers. I got an MFA (Master of Fine Arts) from Columbia University School of the Arts in a theater program that combined arts, business and law. I worked in theater in New York for a couple years, but then I went to law school and worked as an attorney for six years. Three years ago, I went back to theater because that’s what I’m really passionate about it. Producing is a mix of creativity, organization and business management that I love. Clare loved spending time in the theater I last worked in too, which was a fun bonus. When Clare starts first grade this fall, I hope to find some consulting or contractual work in management or production.

Clever Parents: What are your favorite books to read to Clare?

Clare’s Dad: We like reading Dr. Seuss, princess stories, anything about Barbie, Dora, Strawberry Shortcake. A few favorites that Clare’s Mom and I like to read with Clare are Snuggle Puppy and Pajama Time by Sandra Boynton, and Beach Day by Karen Roosa. We also try to tackle some chapter books, like the new Tinkerbell stories. And now Clare is starting to read to her Mom and me too, but those of course are simple books with just a few short words.

Clever Parents: What are you reading now?

Clare’s Dad: I’m notorious for starting a few books at the same time and taking a long time to get through them. I’m always flipping back through a book and checking other references, especially with non-fiction. Right now I’m reading Ground Rules for Winners by Joe Torre and Thy Honored Name: A History of the College of the Holy Cross by Anthony J. Kuzniewski. I’m also re-reading Regional Theatre: The Revolutionary Stage by Joseph Wesley Zeigler, which is a history of American regional theater. I read a lot of references and how-to’s too, like theater production and design books or landscaping books. There are others that I can read pretty quickly too, classics like The Great Gatsby or The Sun Also Rises or anything by David Sedaris.

Clever Parents: What non-parenting blogs/sites do you like?

Clare’s Dad: One fun blog that I’ve found recently is www.indexed.blogspot.com. Another favorite site right now is www.lostpedia.com; I’ve spent hours reading about the characters on Lost. My wife and I (and Clare too) are big Disney fans and I’ve also been hooked on DIS, an unofficial Disney vacation site at www.wdwinfo.com and especially the forums there. Some other big favorites are www.wikipedia.com and www.refdesk.com. I also like the Library of Congress site at www.loc.gov as a great resource of interesting information.

Clever Parents: What’s an ideal date night?

Clare’s Dad: I’m not sure that I have one ideal; I think that to set-up an ideal in your mind is just asking for frustration if it doesn’t go perfectly right. But there a few things that would make a great date for Clare’s Mom and me. We like great restaurants and different types of food, so trying something new is fun for us. We also like the rare chances we get to see a movie on the big screen that isn’t animated. But sometimes, an ideal date night is just staying home and watching TV together with a bottle of wine. It’s more about the time together rather than the specific details that make an ideal date for me.