Twice a month we interview dads in our “How Does He Do It?” feature. If interested in participating please reach out on Facebook or Instagram.
We are excited to introduce you to Jeff Bogle. He is the award-winning blogger behind Out With The Kids. Jeff won the 2016 Irish Award for Best Photography at the Mom 2.0 Summit, and has travelled the world to take photographs. He is a single-ish dad raising two daughters.
Are you an urban or suburban dad, where do you live?
I identify as an urbanite however I was raised, and currently live, in the ‘burbs. I spent two years as a young man in Philadelphia apartments and someday will return to the city life I adore but made the decision to have a nice piece of land and a simple ranch home in the suburbs to raise kids. Thankfully, we are close enough to NYC, Philly and the Philadelphia International Airport, helping us not be defining by the strip malls and chain restaurants dotting the modern American suburban landscape.
Tell us about your children?
I’m the dad of two daughters, ages just-about-16 and 12 1/2. They are bright, weird in the best ways possible, hilariously funny, animal-loving, and caring young people. Being their dad continues to be one of the greatest privileges of my life.
Tell us about your typical weekday?
I’m a freelancer who works from home so there is no ‘typical’ weekday but generally I’ll spread my time as equally as possible between writing, cleaning, prepping food, snuggling our dog Ollie and cats Trixie and Whisper, and listening to music and to too many English football podcasts.
Do you have help?
Assuming you mean a cleaning service or personal chef — nope! Haha. Sometimes the kids will cook dinner or help clean up more than their share, but most often it’s on me.
Who cooks dinner?
It’s me putting dinner on the table, whether that involves actual cooking, simply preparing something or picking up a pizza/takeout. I love to cook and bake, but I’d be lying if I told you I was whipping up a meal from scratch every night. I’m lucky if that happens twice a week! Breakfast for dinner is my best friend!
How often do you have date nights?
My wife and I separated this summer, and I’m seeing someone new for the past few months. We have date nights a couple of times each week as we explore this budding new relationship.
What clothing lines or stores do you like to purchase for your children?
My girls and I are really into resale, to minimize the commercial and environmental impact of new clothes. We swing by Plato’s Closet and thrift shops often to take a looksee! But I’d also be lying if I told you I wasn’t in Target multiple times each week for this and that.
Do you exercise regularly and if so, what and how do you fit in it?
I do exercise regularly. I’m a big fan of hiking but don’t always have the hours I’d like to spend outside in the fresh air. I try to stay active at home by doing little things like listening to vinyl records to force myself to get up every 23 minutes or so to flip a record over, filling up my water only half way to walk back and forth to the kitchen regularly, and other small tricks to avoid a sedentary life.
What is your favourite Christmas/Hanukkah gift that you have received as an adult?
My ex-wife gifted me a massive 3D wooden recreation of Joe Louis Arena, the old arena of my favorite hockey team, the Detroit Red Wings. It is absolutely stunning and made me cry when I opened it, and still does when I stand before it hanging in my office at home.
What are you currently watching?
At this moment, as you read this, I’m probably watching soccer from somewhere in the world but as far as scripted television, I am a massive fan of Schitt’s Creek. My teen is getting me into Brooklyn Nine-Nine and my girlfriend is sharing her love of Bob’s Burgers with me, which is so incredibly hilarious.
Thank you to Jeff Bogle for taking the time out of his day to let us know “How Does He Do It.”
