Raz tests his kid content with two listeners wholl give it to him straight: his two sons.
Heres how he parents.
Did life happen mostly as planned or were there surprises?
I am always amazed at people who plan and plan well.
I feel like every day is like pushing the boulder up a hill.
We planned for nothing.
Take us through your morning routine.
What are your best tricks for getting out the door?
We wake by 5:30 AM.
My wife does her yoga routine.
I drink a tall glass of water and then check email and get some work done.
At 6:30, I start making breakfast for the boys and pack their school lunches.
My wife hops on a 6:25am bus to downtown.
I rustle the boys out of bed by 7.
They are slow eaters so our breakfast routine takes at least 30 minutes.
By 7:45, were in the car and on the way to school.
Im back at my desk by 8:30.
The best trick (and this is hard!)
is to get as much ready the night before.
Grind coffee and put it in the coffee maker.
ensure dishes are in the dishwasher.
Make as much of next days breakfast and school lunch as possible.
How much outside help do you get as a parent?
Who or what cant you live without?
What are the gadgets, apps, charts or tools you rely on?
We are generally low-tech and reluctantly purchased a family iPad this year.
We only allow the boys to have screen time on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Has becoming a parent changed the way you work?
Do you involve your kids in your work?
What does your evening routine like?
The boys are now able to take showers on their own.
By 6 PM, they are showered and usually in jammies.
On most nights, I start on dinner around 6:30 PM.
Usually a chicken curry or a stir-fry.
Bedtime is 8 PM.
We read to the boys.
And then lights out by 8:30.
Because my wife and I wake up early, were usually out by 10 PM.
How do you decompress?
Whats been your proudest moment as a parent?
Watching my children grow into increasingly independent humans.
What moment are you least proud of?
When I reach a boiling point, and raise my voice at them.
What do you want your kid to learn from your example?
To find a partner in life who makes you a better person.
What are your favorite funny/weird/special family rituals?
Not weird but we are baseball fanatics.
We always bring a big bag of sunflower seeds and never, ever leave our seats for three hours.
Has anyone ever given you a piece of parenting advice that has really stuck with you?
You have one job to do: to raise kind and independent adults.
Whats the hardest part about being a parent?
The fear (Are they safe?
Am I going to be able to provide for them?).
Its a fear I never experienced until I became a parent.
Whats your favorite part of the day?
Its unlikely the work you do is ever more important than the small moments you have with your family.
