"What's up, everybody? This is Drew, and I want to welcome you back to "Learn How to See Better." It’s the only podcast out there that will improve your vision the longer you listen. In this episode, I want to share some ways I'm learning to see a little bit better in my latest adventure.

I've been feeling a bit like a superhero of sorts, and I’ll share more about that in just a moment. Think of your favorite superhero and the times when you’ve had to step into that role. That’s what I want to discuss today in what I like to call "Adventures of a Superdad."

In this latest adventure, I’m chuckling because I’m excited about the birth of our newest family addition and the joy we’re experiencing from this blessing in our lives right now. It’s wild to think about the introduction of life into the world and how dependent this new life is on its surroundings to thrive—or not thrive, for simplicity's sake. It’s a blessing to have a loving home environment to welcome our child into.

During this transitional time, there’s a lot going on. The baby is being introduced to the world, mommy is recovering from the birth process, and dad has to wear that extra hat of stepping in and being both parents for a moment, so to speak. I think there was a movie back in the day called ""Mr. Mom."" I see it as Superdad trying to save the day and play the role of both parents, at least temporarily, while we adjust to this transition.

It’s fascinating because you really start to appreciate how much is going on and how powerful the parental team can be when tackling the world together. When it's down to one engine on the jet, it’s a bit daunting. We have to get creative with how we go about things.

What makes the concept of this Superdad idea unique is that, as a business owner, I’m not just tackling family responsibilities and showing up at a job to punch the clock. I have a business to run, which adds another layer to the mix. The funny part is that a lot of the training and evolution of a business owner requires a mindset shift—from thinking like a solopreneur to thinking like a CEO. This means delegating tasks and leaning into your genius zone, automating things as much as possible.

But you can’t really automate parenthood! There may be things you do repeatedly or delegate from time to time, but we’re not quite there yet. Even with the advancements in AI, I haven’t seen any that can rock a baby to sleep... yet.

As I navigate this transition, I realize I need to be efficient and delegate when possible, but there are times when I have to cover all the bases at home. It can be daunting to manage daycare logistics, ensuring we have enough snacks for the birthday week or refilling naptime sheets—things that weren’t on my radar while focusing on business expansion.

There’s an interesting dichotomy between making sure I show up fully as Dad and not letting the "kryptonite" of family responsibilities make me less effective as a business owner. It’s a tug of war between changing diapers and changing business offers. How well is Superdad performing in building the business while keeping the family stable?

I chuckle because there are exciting things I look forward to this year. It’s a reminder that everything has its proper place. It’s like a race car track; even if you’re aiming for your best performance, you can’t go top speed 100% of the time. There will be curves and obstacles that require adjustments.

This awareness helps me recognize when to shift gears and respond without falling into react mode. In my role as Superdad, I’ve learned that what’s best for the children can also be best for the grown-ups. I need to show up as my best self in all areas. It’s not about how fast I can make things happen in business; it’s about ensuring I don’t drop the ball while being involved with the family during this transition.

I want to give my children space to grow and spend time with friends while also being present. It’s an interesting time to feel the natural pulls from the world around us. The time spent in the hospital when the baby is born really blocks off portions of life. You might silence your phone and turn on vacation mode, telling your boss you’re out of the office, creating a little bubble around yourself. But the world doesn’t stop just because you take a timeout.

It’s a balancing act to be ambitious while stepping into this role. With kiddo number five, we’re tapping out, and I want to make the most of this time. I draw from past experiences when I was younger and more ambitious, knowing that there will come a time when I look back at these moments of calm and appreciate that I prioritized them instead of letting the urgency of the world take over. Easier said than done!

I embrace my domestic duties while mom recovers, finding joy in moments that remind me of my own childhood. I was the nice dad who let the kids stay up late or have a snack, so I’m allowing for a bit of flexibility as we navigate this transition. It’s an art more than a science, and it’s important to give ourselves grace in situations where we realize, "Okay, I’ve been a parent before, but never of five kids, nor of a preteen and a newborn simultaneously."

There will always be adjustments, and it doesn’t mean we’re not cut out for it; it’s just a transition as we step up to the next level. We expect challenges to help us grow, and that’s the season we’re in—a season of growth. Recognizing that growth and discomfort can go hand in hand teaches us valuable lessons about flexibility and patience.

Sometimes, it’s not just about being flexible but also understanding that we may need to move at a different pace because there’s a whole crew involved. Taking advantage of the funny moments—like when the kids don’t want to get up for school—can remind us that they might just want to spend a little more time with us.

I’ve realized that these moments highlight how quickly things change. Not long ago, we were celebrating being out of diapers with the older kids, and now we’re back at square one with a newborn. It’s a new dynamic, and I embrace it.

My big takeaway is to view the adventures of Superdad positively. There are days when I feel like I’m running from one activity to the next—one kid to baseball, another to basketball, another to soccer, plus dinner and grocery shopping. While it can seem chaotic, everyone is getting along just fine at the end of the day, so I call the adventure a success.

As we conclude this phase of the tale, I’ll keep you updated on the next adventure of Superdad. There’s always something new around the corner and different ways to express what we learn. If you have your own stories of being a Superdad or Supermom, share them with me! I’d love to dive deeper into those experiences and how to apply those superpowers.

There’s a superpower in being fascinated instead of frustrated, a perspective shift that makes all the difference. These moments are growth opportunities to take what might seem frustrating and turn them into fascinating lessons about how Superdad can respond to unexpected changes.

Thanks for listening! If you know a parent who might relate to this adventure, share this episode with them. Let’s take a deep breath and recognize that everything is going to be alright. This is Drew Davis signing off from "Learn How to See Better," the only podcast that will improve your vision the longer you listen. Catch you on the next one!"