EconDad – Economic perspectives on career and family

Training For A Marathon With 4 Kids Under 10

For our ten-year anniversary, my wife signed us up for a marathon. A chance to run together, to train together, maybe even suffer a bit together. And … [Read More...] about Training For A Marathon With 4 Kids Under 10

Is Your Kitchen This Clean?

Take a moment to imagine your kitchen before having kids. It was probably spotless. Crystal clean. Glowing, even. You could probably see your own … [Read More...] about Is Your Kitchen This Clean?

I Wear AirPods While Watching My Kids: Hear Me Out

I think we can safely file this one under #controversial. An alternative title might be: "In Defense of (Occasional) Distracted Parenting." Kindly … [Read More...] about I Wear AirPods While Watching My Kids: Hear Me Out

The Arc Of Your Career

Lately, I’ve been thinking about The Arc of a Career, the different phases of work over our lives and how we can focus on what’s most important in … [Read More...] about The Arc Of Your Career

Sending Sweet Letters To Your Kids

When was the last time you sent a handwritten letter to your child? Last week? Last year? Ever? There's something powerful about handwritten … [Read More...] about Sending Sweet Letters To Your Kids

The First Fundamental Theorem of Family Size

Also known as: "N-1 Kids Was Easy, But N Kids Is Hard!" My wife and I have 4 children. And you have no idea how many times I’ve said something … [Read More...] about The First Fundamental Theorem of Family Size

Protecting Your Most Valuable Asset

We all know about asset protection. Protect against risk, protect against the downside, protect against the unknown. But are you really protecting … [Read More...] about Protecting Your Most Valuable Asset

I Thought Sleep Was For The Weak, But I Was Wrong

"Sleep is for the weak, don't you agree?" I used to write this snippet at the bottom of my work emails whenever I worked past midnight. Bonus … [Read More...] about I Thought Sleep Was For The Weak, But I Was Wrong

Investment Outlook: Stay Long and Strong in Real Estate

Where to invest these days? It’s a tough question. The stock market seems overvalued, housing prices have increased substantially over the last few … [Read More...] about Investment Outlook: Stay Long and Strong in Real Estate

Your Life As A Random Process

My most important life lesson from graduate school was in time series econometrics. Wait -- what?? Yes, you read that right, folks. Here's what I … [Read More...] about Your Life As A Random Process

Hunting the Elk

As a father, I feel a deep responsibility to provide for my family. My wife and I have four kids, and they depend on me. I can’t just decide to lay … [Read More...] about Hunting the Elk

Help Wanted for a Third Parent (Nanny Diaries)

A few months ago, we had a tough few weeks with our nanny care. It started with a few sick days, a few last-minute cancellations. Nothing that … [Read More...] about Help Wanted for a Third Parent (Nanny Diaries)

What Is Your Drop-Off Mantra?

When you drop your kids off at school, what do you say to them as they leave the car? Think about this: your words at drop-off are your last nuggets … [Read More...] about What Is Your Drop-Off Mantra?

How To Teach A Lesson To Your Child’s Class

Have you ever taught a lesson to your child's class at school? It's a fun experience. Surely you have something interesting to say. After all, … [Read More...] about How To Teach A Lesson To Your Child’s Class

How To Win Any Negotiation With Your Child

Here’s the situation: You need your child to do something important -- finish her homework, clean his room, get dressed, mow the lawn, write thank-you … [Read More...] about How To Win Any Negotiation With Your Child

Living the Life of Your Dreams

An old fishing parable goes like this (retelling the story here from memory): A businessman goes to visit a local fisherman in a vacation … [Read More...] about Living the Life of Your Dreams

A Golden Day

Today is a Golden Day. A day where formal work commitments are low, where the kids are being watched, where I can go out on my own. To read, to … [Read More...] about A Golden Day

Trading Off Your Kids’ Well-Being

As an economist, I'm always thinking about trade-offs. Do I consume good X, or good Y? Do I invest in option A, or option B? Do I devote time and … [Read More...] about Trading Off Your Kids’ Well-Being

My Mid-Life Crisis

It sounds cliche, but I think I had a mid-life crisis this year. I turned 35 late last year and began to dwell on this basic fact: I might be halfway … [Read More...] about My Mid-Life Crisis

How To Make Hard Life Choices

How do we make hard life choices? Have you ever really thought about it? Every once in a while, we face a big choice that impacts our lives in a … [Read More...] about How To Make Hard Life Choices

Love You, Support You, Teach You

In our house, we teach three basic responsibilities that we, as parents, have to our kids: Love you Support you Teach you Ultimately, … [Read More...] about Love You, Support You, Teach You

Missing the Kids’ Concert

Here I am, sitting in the DC airport, just 5 minutes from when the kids' winter piano recital is supposed to begin. I've been traveling Monday to … [Read More...] about Missing the Kids’ Concert

Is It Worth It?

I'm up late, bleary-eyed, wondering if I'll ever get to bed. "Up late" has a new timeframe for me, lately, since I've been going bed with my kids at … [Read More...] about Is It Worth It?

Lost in the Moment

I had a moment last weekend where time faded away, where I was completely lost in the moment. My son and I were running together through the woods, … [Read More...] about Lost in the Moment

Strive to Thrive

What do we strive for in our lives? Instead of happiness or success, how about Thriving? Thriving describes the best aspects of human flourishing. … [Read More...] about Strive to Thrive

The New Alpha

I read an incredible new book this weekend: The New Alpha by Danielle Harlan. This book is an absolute must read for rising professionals seeking to … [Read More...] about The New Alpha

“I Don’t Want To Die”

I had a troubling night last night, talking with my 7-year-old son about death. He couldn't fall asleep and couldn't get dying out of his head. Here … [Read More...] about “I Don’t Want To Die”

Striving for Good Enough

Have you ever given up on being “the best”, settling for “good enough”? Growing up in the one of the wealthiest societies in the wealthiest time … [Read More...] about Striving for Good Enough

How to Create a Memorable Resume

I've reviewed thousands of resumes as an employer. I have spent time reviewing for junior staff, senior staff, administrative staff, pretty much … [Read More...] about How to Create a Memorable Resume

Can We Have It All?

Can we have it all? That question rings so deeply for those of us trying to pursue career, family, and personal wellness all at the same time. The … [Read More...] about Can We Have It All?

Main Content