You may have noticed that I didn’t write a blog post last Thursday like I usually do, and that’s because the previous Monday I started a new position at BuzzFeed. BuzzFeed is a cool website with a wide variety of content – it can be funny, serious, political, and full of dog and cat .gifs all at the same time – and I’ve joined the DIY section as an associate editor. I’ll be writing about parenting, projects and crafts, and a whole lot other things, too.
One of the interesting things about starting this job is that I’m working outside of the home again. I worked as a copywriter for a large company during Annie’s first year of life, but I’ve since worked from home doing freelance copywriting, writing articles, and developing a film project with a production company. I’ve been busy, but I’ve been around the house, which means that Annie has only ever really known life with her dad a stuffed animal’s throw away. Annie is also a total Daddy’s girl, so she likes having me around (we’ll see how long that lasts…the teenage years are coming fast).
Heather and I discussed how to help Annie with this transition (also known as the “How to keep Annie from losing her $%^$” discussions), and we decided the best thing to to do would be to introduce her to the concept a little bit each day. Luckily, there were a couple weeks between my being hired and my first day, so we had some time to help her prepare. Annie knows that I work on the computer for a living, so we told her that I would still be working on my computer, but now I would drive my car to work in a building in Los Angeles. I then made it clear that while I may be gone during the day, I would be home every night to have dinner with her and her brother, chat about how awesome princesses are, and do our usual bedtime routine. Annie nodded and accepted this, which I was very happy about.
Of course, there’s a big difference between being okay with the concept of Daddy working outside of the house versus Daddy actually working outside of the house, and things have gone a little less smoothly since I’ve started. Heather’s had to deal with the transition, but it will get better, I think, with time. Each night I give Annie a lot of attention so she knows that she’s still my best girl, and hopefully that’s helping ease her through.
There’s one funny thing about all of this I have to mention. Annie almost – but not quite – knows where I work. Whenever anyone asks her where my new job is she replies, “Daddy works at Breast Feed!” I’m sure there are some very confused people out there who are very confused about what the heck it is I’m now doing.
I’m still going to be writing on this blog, as I love to write down for posterity my experiences raising my kids, but it won’t be as regularly as it has been up until now. In the meantime, Heather will still be here, and you can always catch up with my writing at BuzzFeed! Thanks to everyone for reading, and I’ll see you soon.
Annalisa says:
For what is worth, our daughter cries when her dad leaves in the morning in spite of the fact that he has never worked at home. It’s worse on Mondays, as having daddy around 2 mornings out of 7 screws with head even more. By Wednesdays, she’s resigned herself to saying goodbye to dad every morning, and then Saturday rolls around and… Daddy stays home? So confusing! She just turned 3, and this happens whenever she’s having an “I love daddy!!!” period (with an “I love mommy!” period, alas, I can’t even leave the room without tears).
Don’t know what Heather tells Annie, but I usually hug my kid through her tears, and when she’s feeling less heartbroken, gently explain that her dad would much rather stay home with us, but most jobs don’t allow daddies or mommies to stay home. I also reassure her that there isn’t a moment during the day that daddy doesn’t miss her a bunch too.
Shelli says:
I’m going to miss your posts Mike!! Sending good thoughts for ur new job..i will add new place to my faves, but hope to see more stories bout u & Annie & now James soon.
roshan says:
I like Mike’s writing, the type of dad he is (non-John-Wayne type and totally committed) and everything he does for his family, but I don’t like Buzzfeed. I do believe that Mike’s talents will make Buzzfeed a bit better place though.
Jenn says:
Congrats on the new job Mike!! How fun for you & how lucky for them to have you work for them!! I’m sure Annie will be fine once she gets use to you being gone. Good luck with your new position!! I know you’ll be AMAZING!!
Sara says:
Love BuzzFeed!!! Congratulations on your new job my 2.5 year old daughter is a total daddy’s girl too. When she gets upset that he’s leaving/gone I keep telling her that he’s coming back and when he gets home, she can show him her picture from school/favorite toy that day/ponytails. Then I just try to distract her by letting her “help” with whatever I’m doing and giving her as much one on one attention as I can. Annie will adjust! it’s tough, but daddy’s girls are pretty cute to watch in their “natural environment” with their daddies
Jill says:
Congrats Mike. Working at breast feed sounds exciting
BeccaV says:
BuzzFeed is my favorite! I am glad you are happy at your new job!
Mel says:
I see another “While you were at work I did……” segment coming involving Annie. Maybe that will help her with the transition.
kandi ann says:
Oh definitely sounds perfect!
Sam says:
Congratulations on the new job!
Jess Z. says:
Congrats on the new job! Annie will adjust, it will just take time. Happy for you and the family for this new opportunity!
Lisa says:
Congrats on your new job! My advice to Heather, try not to LOSE your mind. Being alone with 2 little ones all day is going to be trying to say the least. But sounds like you have some handy assistants and that will help out. And I am a news addict, so just added Buzz Feed to my faves. I did not know of this website before, so thank you! Will be reading all of your stuff there. And Annie will get used to it. Over time. Hopefully a short amount of time….
Lisa F. says:
Congrats, what an awesome job!
Jill says:
I saw your post the other day!!! It was about a cool way to chart the growth of your kid, and I had a gasp moment of wait- I know who those kids are!
And then I noticed the author.
Hearty congratulations Mike!! I’m a buzzfeed addict and look forward to seeing more of your posts!
Steph says:
Congratulations on the new job! I had heard of buzzfeed but will now definitely check it out.
Kristy says:
Love BuzzFeed!! Congrats!!
Lauren says:
Congrats Mike! Me and my roommate were on buzzfeed the other day and came across an article about cool ways to photograph your baby’s first year, and there were pictures of Annie in the green chair and James’s monthly photos, did you by any chance write this article? We’ll if you did I thought it was really interesting!
~Lauren
Sara says:
Best of luck at Breast Feed, Mike!
Ha ha oh that Annie. Such a hoot But for reals, congrats!
Missy says:
This is just a suggestion, but when my hubby deployed, we got the Kids “Daddy Dolls”. It just a stuffed “doll (Heather with how crafty you are you could probably figure out how to make the things yourself!) IT has a picture of Daddy on the front, that the kids can cuddle, and we got ours with recorders in them so Daddy recorded a message for the kids so they could hear his voice too.
https://www.daddydolls.com/
amourningmom says:
So exciting about the new job – congratulations! Will go check you out on Buzzfeed.
Nicole says:
Congrats, Mike! I might have to start reading Buzzfeed now.
Alexis says:
Congratulations on the new job! I hope it’s the right mix of fun and work to keep your mind (somewhat) off the folks waiting for you at home!
Kate says:
WHAT?!!? That’s awesome. I love Buzzfeed….the site keeps me occupied for hours. I’ll definitely keep my eye out for your articles.
Lenora says:
Congrats on the new job! I’m sure Annie will adjust and before you know it she will be heading to school every day.
Glenda says:
Congrats!!! Annie will adjust and be fine.
Jeanie says:
Breast feed!
Good luck with that new job, Mike.
Anna says:
I love BuzzFeed! Although to be honest, I didn’t know it was anything other than funny lists and life hacks that people share on Facebook. Will have to check it out!
Meg says:
Congrats Mike! I loved the buzzfeed you did about the reality of becoming a parent, versus pre-kids. Here’s to many more laughs.
Daisy says:
Many congrats Mike.
gugs says:
Did you replace the old guy who wrote that post about being old but then was fired?