The 3 Most Important Things Dads Need to Know About Getting Ready for Work

If you are a dad that goes to work, you know that kids (god love’m) can put a serious damper on your morning routine. You could have felt you had the most efficient, streamlined morning routine only to discover that it is your kid or kids that bring it to a screeching halt.

The bottom line is kids change our lives. Some of it is good. Some of it is bad. All of it is change. That is why if you have a morning routine that ends up in you needing to be productive and presentable for work you need to know these 5 rules.

Rule #1: Never put on your dress shirt until right before you leave
It has happened to me 3 times in the last 6 weeks. A kid rubs his dirty breakfast mouth on your neatly pressed white dress shirt shoulder just as you are running out the door. Or even worse, your kid throws up on you. I always iron my shirt and leave it on a hanger in my laundry room. I walk around in an undershirt until the last possible moment before leaving.

Rule #2: Never promise any activity before you leave for work
This applies to activities before you leave and promises after you get home. Why? Because stuff happens. And you may promise something in passing and don’t think anything of it. But your kid obsesses over this all day, counting down the minutes. They don’t understand that clients make last minute demands or that your train was delayed. Don’t set yourself up.

Rule #3: Accept that your routine always changes
The hardest part for new dads to deal with is the fact that a routine always changes when you have kids. Their sleep patterns change, their health fluctuates, their school times and playdates constantly evolve. You need to too.

What do you think noodads? Have any to add?