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At-Home Dad Convention

Sponsored by the At-Home Dad Newsletter

 

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Ninth Annual At-Home Dads' Convention  

Sponsored by The At-Home Dad Newsletter

Oakton Community College

Saturday, November 20, 2004

8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016   

Doing This for Our Kids

Most at-home dads break from the traditional male career path for a single reason: We believe our children benefit. And even a vast majority of those dads who have taken on their at-home roles for financial or other reasons come to believe the presence of a nurturing father in the home is of huge importance to their children’s development. It is with this knowledge and confidence that we gather for the ninth annual convention of men who serve as their children's primary caregivers. Whether you are a new at-home dad, a seasoned veteran or considering joining the ranks, this conference is for you. This yearly assembly of extraordinary men from across the country (and, often, a few international neighbors) finds each of us with unique circumstances and expectations, but more significantly, bonded through our common role. The convention’s open, free-flowing format includes thought-provoking speakers, give-and-take discussions and plenty of time for networking and friendship.  

Program

            8:00 - 8:30 Registration and Continental Breakfast Reception

            8:30 - 8:45      Welcome and Introduction of Keynote Speaker

                                    Dr. Robert Frank, Barry Reszel and Peter Baylies

            8:45 - 9:45 Morning Keynote Address

                                Nurturing Fathers Raise Better Children

                                Dr. Kyle Pruitt, Yale University

         9:45 - 10:00                    Break

        10:00 - 11:00    The End of the Innocence: Fathering Across the Ages

                                  These breakout discussion groups are organized by the ages of our children.

                                       Facilitators: Dr. Bruce Drobeck and Dr. Bob Frank (breakdowns by children’s ages)  

        11:00 - 12:00 Let’s Talk About It #1

These are facilitated small-group discussions, not lectures. Come prepared to share your own thoughts and experiences and well as questions and solutions.

Taking a Breath—A Session for New At-Home Dads (Dr. Bruce Drobeck)

School Dazed—Committing to “At-Home” Through the School-Age Years (Steve Klem and Ed Steffek)

Time for Yourself—Hobbies and Activities for At-Home Dads (Chad Curtis and Gary Foshkul)

Transitions When Our World Gets Rocked (Roland LaScala)

Back to Work?!—Pros, Cons, Ins, Outs and Realities (Joe Hanafee and Jay Massey)

          12:00 - 1:00          Lunch and Conversation

Authors, Resources and Family Psychologists

at Stations for Private and Small-Group Discussions

                                   Peter Baylies, Dr. Bruce Drobeck, Dr.Robert Frank, Steve Klem, Jay Massey, Dr. Kevin Murphy

 

                                           Multimedia Presentation: Cherishing Our Children

                                     Casey Spencer

           1:00 – 2:00            Afternoon Keynote Address

                                           The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Fathers

                                Dr. Kevin Murphy

           2:00 – 2:15  Comedy Break

                                Back by Popular Demand…

                                   Kelly Williams, At-Home Dad

            2:15 - 2:30                  Break

            2:30 - 3:15 Let’s Talk About It #2

These are facilitated small-group discussions, not lectures. Come prepared to share your own thoughts and experiences and well as questions and solutions.

When Two or More—Starting and Sustaining a Dads’ Group (Bill Beagle and Casey Spencer)

Division of Labor—Talkin’ About the Dang Chores (Bob Noonan)

Schools, Sports, Etc.—Involvement In Your Kids’ Activities (Jim LoCascio and Tim Hughes)

You Should Write a Book—Journaling/Documenting Your Time at Home (Mike Perricone)

Love ‘Em All the More—Finding Out Our Kid Isn’t “Perfect” (Dr. Bob Frank)

            3:15 - 4:00                        The Keynote/Discussion We’ve All Been Clamoring For

                                    Sex and the At-Home Dad: Triumph, Satisfaction or Oxymoron?

                                              Brian Reid

           4:00 - 4:15:          This Year’s Favorite At-Home Dad Anecdotes

                                          Bob Noonan

            4:15 - 4:30      Wrap-Up and Surveys

                                    Dr. Robert Frank

Speakers, Facilitators, and Resources

Peter Baylies, Massachusetts, is the author of The Stay-at-Home Dad Handbook which was published in October 2004 by the Chicago Review Press. He became the full-time caregiver for his six-month-old son in 1992 and started the At-Home Dad Newsletter and network in 1994. The newsletter, which contained articles written for and by at-home dads, information about playgroups and an online message board, is now in online form at athomedad.com. The network has helped dads across the country stay connected and is responsible for the development of numerous playgroups nationwide. The newsletter also is a sponsor of the annual At-Home Dads’ convention.

Bill Beagle, Ohio, has been at home for five years and is the father of three reasonably well-adjusted children. Using the “build it and they will come” strategy, he developed a web site for his one man group, Dayton Dads at Home, in 2000. One year later, he and three other dads met as group for the first time. Together they have grown the group to about 40 members, half of whom are active. He has a BS degree in Finance as well as an MBA and worked as a senior financial analyst and operations manager for Bank One and GE prior to becoming a full-time at-home dad. Along with raising his children, Beagle is a member of his local City Council and is on the Board of Trustees for the Tipp City Library.

Chad Curtis, North Carolina, is first and foremost husband to Linda and dad to their 7-year-old son, whom they adopted at one-month of age. For three years Curtis stayed at-home as their son battled childhood leukemia, which makes him somewhat savvy on issues regarding both at-home dads and children facing life-threatening diseases. He has been active in the on-line communities for at-home-dads since before their son was born. Curtis continued to work full-time at night as a producer for NBC News Channel during that same period. He has been a television news producer for 12 years; nine of those at the network level. He currently works with NBC stations nationwide making arrangements for television transmissions from remote locations, particularly those involving communications satellites. His travels include the Super Bowl, NCAA Championships, NBA drafts, National Political Conventions, and his personal favorite, Olympic Games. The Curtis Family lives in Charlotte, NC.

Dr. Bruce Drobeck, Texas, is a licensed professional counselor and full-time lecturer at the University of North Texas. He teaches life span and child development at UNT as well as classes for expectant fathers at local hospitals. Drobeck, whose two children are now in late adolescence and young adulthood, was the primary caregiver for both his children throughout their development. He lives with his family in Southlake, Texas, where on occasion he makes “one hell of a tuna casserole.” 

Gary Foskuhl, Ohio, was born and raised in Dayton, enlisted in the Army as a musician and accepted an offer to attend West Point. After four years of spit shining, studying, and marching, he graduated with a degree, a commission and a trip to flight school. After helicopter training he was shipped to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he married his New York beloved Tracy. After serving with the 101st Airborne Division in Desert Storm, he decided that his debt to his country had been paid and he hung up his uniform. The civilian job force in Ohio was unkind to Foskuhl, but his wife found a corporate home, and he became at-home care giver to his three children. In the nine years since then, the Foskuhl family has grown to five offspring.

The Foskuhls are currently living happily in Dayton without pending legal action against them. They own a mini van, a station wagon and the state-required minimum of two pets.

Dr. Robert Frank, Illinois, is a licensed clinical social worker and assistant professor of psychology at Oakton Community College. His national research focuses on fathers who are the primary caregivers for their children, spurred by his unofficial role as “at-home dad forefather” and founder of the At-Home Dads’ Convention. Dr. Frank has written two books, Parenting Partners, and most recently, The Secret Life of the Dyslexic Child, about his struggles growing up with dyslexia.

Joe Hanafee, Illinois, a member of the Chicagoland At-Home Dads group, is the proud father of James,4, and Mary Catherine,1, as well as husband of Liz LaPlante. He is also an experienced workforce development consultant/counselor and has coached a diverse range of job-seekers on such topics as dealing with gaps in work history, /interviewing skills, resume writing, networking, marketing transferable skills and portfolio development. He has a Master's degree in Education from Wayne State University in Detroit and a BA in Philosophy and Economics from the University of Dallas.

Tim Hughes, Michigan, married Lisa in 1996 and became a father to Joseph in 1997. At that time, he left a career position at General Motors Corporation and became a full fledged at-home dad. Searching the internet, he came across slowlane.com and attended his first At-Home Dad Convention in 1999. Fired up upon returning from the conference, he founded Northern Michigan Dads, a local Dad's group in Traverse City. Hughes is an adjunct college instructor (business) and substitute teacher at Joseph's school. He and Lisa are also proud parents of their daughter, Julia, adopted from South Korea in the summer of 2000.

Steve Klem, Florida, has been an at-home dad since the birth of his daughter eight years ago. In 1998, Klem took over “DadChat” on America Online from founder David Boylan. In his role as chatmaster, Klem creates topics ranging from “Getting Acquainted with Your New Role” to “Who is this Alien Called a Teenager?” Although topics are specific, there is always room for free-flowing conversation. A new, “revamped” chat experience is being promised for the coming year. Klem and his family live in Cocoa Beach, Florida.

Roland LaScala, Ohio, is a native New Englander who is making a career out of relocating in the Buckeye State. A recent move to Canal Winchester, just south of Columbus, is the third Ohio residence in less than 10 years for this former insurance agent. LaScala has been an at-home dad since January 1990, just after the birth of his first daughter. Duyring this time, he has also enjoyed part-time occupations as perpetual student, tutor in the local schools and educator in his church. He is currently pursuing a Masters of Theological Studies from Trinity Lutheran & Bexley Hall Episcopal Seminaries in Columbus and has a BA from The Ohio State University, where a blood transfusion caused him to become a rabid fan of OSU football and Cleveland's Indians & Browns, much to the dismay of his sports loathing wife and daughters. LaScala shares his life with his wife Carol, a Human Resource VP, daughters Celeste & Olivia, 2 dogs, 2 cats, a guinea pig and some fish that won't die.

Jim LoCascio, Florida, has been an at-home dad since his daughter was born in 1998. An active volunteer in his daughter's school, he was elected vice-president of their parent group for this year. After graduating from the University of Connecticut, LoCascio worked in publishing before teaching middle and high school while working towards his MAT from Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT. He is also the founder and organizer of the At-Home Dads' Florida Fishing Trip held each March in Southwest Florida. He lives in Cape Coral, FL with his wife Lisa, daughter Ally and son Nicolas.

Jay Massey, Florida, has been an at-home dad since 1994. He is executive director of Slowlane.com, a searchable online reference, resource and network for at-home dads and their families. In addition to his at-home dad duties, Massey is founder and president of two Web design firms, CocoDesign and OneDotNow.com. He lives in Florida with his wife and son.

Dr. Kevin Murphy, Illinois, is, first and foremost a husband and a dad. He also works as a consultant, coach, and psychotherapist for individuals, families, and organizations interested in effectiveness, growth, and transformation. He earned a doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology and advanced theological degrees from studies at Loyola University and the University of Saint Mary of the Lake. He is a certified facilitator and trainer for Franklin Covey. Other interests include vacationing with family, carpentry, art and design, ritual-making, being a human being, and taking more and more time off with the family.

Bob Noonan, Illinois, is a 13-year, Chicago at-home dad to two teenage sons. While wife Vicki pursues a successful career in commercial real estate, Noonan spends much of his time volunteering at his sons’ schools. He is now beginning to return to his interior design/architecture roots with a small business venture, “Let Bob Do It,” consisting of design, handyman and subcontracting work. He’s watchful that the new business doesn’t interrupt his at-home dad duties, including spending summers on Big Fish Lake in Marcellus, Michigan. Noonan is the social coordinator for this year’s convention, a task he’s prepared for at many past conventions. Once in a blue moon, Noonan is moved to show his loyalty to the TKE fraternity.

Mike Perricone, Illinois, spent 12 years as a sportswriter at The Chicago Sun-Times, then became an at-home dad to his daughter Jenny from her birth through age 8 (1989-1997). His weekly newspaper column, "Jenny's Dad," chronicled his first year at home with Jenny throughout 1990 and served as the basis for his book, FROM DEADLINES TO DIAPERS: Journal of an At-Home Father (Noble Press, Chicago, 1992). Perricone returned to a full-time position in 1997 as a science writer at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. His family, including his wife, Joan; daughter, Jenny; and their small but mighty dog Fred, lives in Riverside, Illinois.

Dr. Kyle Dean Pruitt is the principal author of over sixty original scientific articles and books including the award winning The Nurturing Father, Me, Myself and I, and Fatherneed: Why Father Care is as Essential as Mother Care for Your Child. Dr. Pruett has also served as a consultant to ABC, ABC News, CBS Morning News, Sesame Workshop, and served as a co-host of a nationally distributed videotape for new parents with Oprah Winfrey, Begin with Love. He lectures internationally, and represented the United States at the UN’s first International Summit on Fathers and Children. He has been a columnist and contributing editor to Goodhousekeeping, Parents, and Child magazines. Dr. Pruett hosted his own Lifetime Cable series “Your Child Six to Twelve with Dr. Kyle Pruett”, and has appeared frequently on CNN, Oprah, ABC News, NPR and Good Morning America. He and his wife Marsha Kline Pruett, Ph.D., M.S.L., are parents to three daughters and one son.

Dr. Pruitt was educated at Yale University and Tufts University School of Medicine. He is a clinical professor of psychiatry, coordinator of education at the Yale Child Study Center (DMS); Yale University School of Medicine and School of Nursing. He served as principal investigator for the longitudinal study of children of primary paternal care; co-principal investigator for the collaborative divorce project (Richardson Foundation); and co-principal investigator of leadership development initiative (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation). Dr. Pruett has also maintained a private practice in infant, child adolescent and family psychiatry since 1974. His areas of interest and expertise include the developmental vulnerabilities and mental health in infants, toddlers and young children, school and day care consultation (public and private), clinical and legal dimensions of fatherhood (biological and non-biological), and role of the media in children’s lives. He served as consultant to Vice President Al Gore, Jr., for White House Conferences Men in Children's Lives. Dr. Pruett was also the founder of Yale Conference on Medicine and Performing Arts and a founding member of Father to Father.

Brian Reid, Virginia, is at-home dad to his 3-year-old daughter, maintains the rebeldad.com web site and is working on a book by the same name, laying out the benefits of at-home fatherhood for dads, moms, kids and society. He also works as a freelance journalist during naptime. He and his wife raise their daughter in Alexandria, Virginia.

Barry Reszel, Illinois, is at-home dad to son, Bradford, 10, and daughter, Christina, 7. He is a part-time writer/editor; a regular coffee drinker; a rebel against establishments that permit poor treatment of kids, including, most recently, local Little League; and a champion of individual liberties, most notably, free expression. Someday, Reszel hopes to be a famous writer of stories and screenplays, but if it never happens, that’s OK, too. This is his ninth At-Home Dads’ convention and eighth as coordinator. He lives with his wife Lori and kids in Libertyville, Illinois

Casey Spencer, California is a self-proclaimed 52-year-old overweight college dropout who recently bowed out of his nine successful years as a SAHD saying, “If success is measured by my child's self-esteem and character, I think I've done my job well." Along with Jim DiCenzo, Casey co-founded Dad-to-Dad San Diego and noodled around as a freelance photographer while raising daughter, Keilani, and supporting his wife Sharon's career as a land-development executive in home-building and theme-park businesses. Her career took the family to San Diego, Los Angeles and Osaka, Japan. There, he says, “I delved into the topic of "involved fatherhood" only to find Japanese fathers almost entirely uninterested in (even when they were able to grasp) the concept. Casey is a former convention keynote speaker and recently entered real estate sales when my wife's employment came to a long-anticipated end. In addition to Keilani, Casey has two other children and two grandchildren.

Ed Steffek, Illinois, was born and raised on the Southwest side of Chicago. He ventured off to the University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana where he earned his BS in Secondary Mathematics Education. There, he also met his bride of 18 years, Laura, an electrical engineer. After teaching for 10 years in Maine and Wisconsin and vowing to never move back to Chicago, Steffek moved to Naperville, Illinois in 1997. He is beginning his 9th year as a full time At-Home Dad to his three children, Will, 12, Peter, 9, and Claire, 5, and keeps busy by continuously volunteering for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, YMCA Guides, Religious Education and numerous school activities. When asked when he'll go back to work, he simply answers, "When it comes to my kids, there's no place like home!"

Kelly Williams, Illinois, Born and raised in “the bad part” of Chicago Heights, Williams used humor to save him from countless beatings from neighborhood girls. After unsuccessful stints in college (Kansas State, 2 years); the military (U.S. Army, 5 years); first marriage (Unbearable Psycho, 5 years); and the computer industry (Blue Cross, CNA Insurance, law firms), Kelly went to his first comedy open mic in January 2000 and hasn't looked back. He's also entertained at gatherings from bar mitzvahs to Bulls games and has appeared on Mancow's Morning Madhouse as the day's Featured Performer. And he's an at-home dad of 6 kids, living with wife Deanna in Mt. Prospect, Illinois.

 

Registration Form

Register for the Ninth Annual At-Home Dads’ convention via the Stay At-Home Dads Web site: www.slowlane.com.

Online registration deadline is October 21.

Or, fill out the attached registration form and send it along with a check payable to Oakton Community College to: Bea Cornelissen, College Relations, 1600 E. Golf Rd., Des Plaines, IL 60016. Attention: At-Home Dads’ convention.

To register using a credit card, call 847.635.1812.

 

Name ________________________________________________________________________

Address _______________________________________________________________________

 

City/State/Zip __________________________________________________________________

 

Phone _____________________________  E-mail ____________________________________

 

___$55  Individual Registration for At-Home Dads’ convention (before October 21)

 

___$75  Individual Registration for At-Home Dads’ convention (after October 21)

 

___$85  Individual Registration for At-Home Dads’ convention and Men’s Day (following day)

 

___ I am unable to attend, but please accept my donation to the Oakton Community

       College Educational Foundation.

 

___  Yes, I will attend the Friday night gathering party at the Best Western Hotel (6:30 - 10 p.m.).

       Advisory survey for planning purposes only—costs will be shared among those attending.

 

___  Yes, I will attend the Saturday post-convention dinner/party at a Chicago restaurant (5:00 - 8:30 p.m.)

       Advisory survey for planning purposes only—costs will be shared among those attending.

 

Hotel Information

Best Western River North Hotel

125 W. Ohio, Chicago, IL 60610

Reservations: 800-727-0800 ext. 123.

Due to the popular demand of at-home dad conventioneers of years past, our convention hotel is located in downtown Chicago. The Best Western River North Hotel is the official hotel of the 2003 At-Home Dads’ convention. For reservations, call the number above, mention the At-Home Dads’ convention, and receive the special $92 (plus tax) convention rate if booked by October 21 (while rooms are available). Parking at the hotel is free. If the hotel becomes booked but you are still looking to stay in the vicinity, search for additional hotel options in the Chicago River North area.

____  Free transportation between the Best Western River North Hotel and the convention (approximately 20 miles each way) will be available. Please check here if you will use this transportation between the hotel and the convention.

For more information, log on to www.oakton.edu/news/events/special.htm or call 847.635.1812.

For information on Oakton Community College’s Annual Men’s Day, Sunday, November 21, 2004, call Stephen Schada at 847.635.1874.

 

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Fourth At-Home Dad Convention..."Yes!" 

  By Peter Baylies - Director At-Home Dad Network

Reprinted from At-Home Dad, Summer 2000, Issue 24

 

       I first meet Hogan Hilling at the At-Home Dad Convention, in 1997. I had written an article about his life journey with his son Wesley, a disabled child, earlier that year (Spring 97 issue). Hogan required the patience of a saint to I first met Hogan Hilling at the Chicago O'Hare airport before the

care for his son. So when this normally soft spoken dad of 3 kids stepped up to the mike to start a session titled, At-Home Daddying: What Are Our Issues?, no one expected his verbal onslaught: a boot camp style pep talk that would put any drill sergeant to shame. First, he told the nearly 100 at-home dads to put their total trust in him. Then, he instructed all the dads to make a fist, raise it

high, and at his command, pump down (like pulling a truck horn), and yell, "Who are we? Proud Dads!...YES!"

      The crowd responded weakly at first, Hogan persisted, "That's not good enough, I didn't hear you!" As he looked around the room, I'm sure he could hear them thinking, "Well, this is OK, I guess I can do this" After a few more tries he had the crowd in the palm of his hand. He then

introduced 3 discussion groups to be hosted by Barry Retzel, editor of the At-Home Dad Handbook, Marty Josephson, moderator of the eGroups dads-at-home listserv, and Jim Dicenzo, the leader of the San Diego DAD-to-DAD playgroup. I decided to join Barry's discussion group where the topic was "Being on the same page with your wife". During the session, Jay Massey, the webmaster of

slowlane.com, advised that you keep the rules of the house constant. He felt his wife, Joan "was a little softer on the kids and I would find myself reprimanding her under my breath". At the same time, he stressed that it's important to "admit to your wife when you are wrong." (Send an e-mail to me at athomedad@aol.com if you have ever admitted you were wrong. I will let you know how many I get.)

        Richard Axel, author of The Father Daughter Bond, reported about spouse's work habits spilling over to the home life. He found that after a spouse has delegated projects all day at her work place, might come home and stay in that "work-mode" and continue to delegate ssignments once she walks in the door. arry argeed that his wife would delegate "family time," which can be trying to a dad who has just spent an entire day with the kids. The solution brought by others was to divide time you spend with your wife and the kids. After the session was over several rules to live by were announced to the rest of the dads. Jubal Prevette, of Sunnyvale, CA, noted that although some dads like the break your wife can give you when she comes home from work, he has trouble letting go. He finds that he wants to continue to stay with his son and he finds that he has to "let go" and let her have time with him.

  

     Mark Abraham, of Minnesota Dads at Home, reminded the dads that the kids are listening if you argue. He instructed to his 4 1/2 year old son, if "mommy or daddy start using a mean voice to let us know." He shared one time when they were arguing at the supper table that his son suddenly said, "Mommy! Daddy! ...remember, friendly voice!" Thus the major ground rules are:

 

1. Your kids hear you argue, keep your disagreement private. Don't intervene if

you think your wife is "solving a kid problem incorrectly." Talk about it later

to set up new ground rules.

 

2. Keep your communication open, honest and consistent as your expectations

will constantly change over time.

 

3. And again, the hardest thing is to admit to your wife when you are wrong.

 

      Another major highlight of the day was viewing of the suburb documentary, Homedaddy, produced by filmmaker Kent Ayyildiz. Kent has used up many rolls of film shooting all 4 conventions and compiling a bio of his own search for a new definition of fatherhood. In the 28 minute film he shows the isolation that built up while at home with his 5 year old Quinn. A classic scene is when convention organizer, Dr Robert Frank talks about the mother assuming her role as a housekeeper when she comes home. Using Dr. Frank's narration Kent shows his wife vacuuming the living room in her pajamas. Zooming in on her, he catches a glaring stare or what you guys might be called "the look" as if to say maybe you should be doing this... The scene had a lot of dads nodding their heads in agreement. In the film he shows how the At- Home Dad convention helped break him of the isolation he felt. Featured in the film was Dr Robert Frank, David Boylan (ex-AOL dad chat moderator), Mark Abraham, Peter Hoh, (editor of the Minnesota Dads at Home Newsletter), and at-home dad Larry Mains of Chicago.

 

     At the beginning of the film he describes his dad as one who "would work insane hours, have a family and never see them". At the end of the picture Kent's dad makes a startling revelation while visiting his grandfather's grave site. His dad explained that he left his native country without saying farewell to his abusive and newly married father who died shortly after. The sorrow of his dad's absence filled his heart and helped him better understand his own dad's absence in his life. He understood, and could now go home and break that cycle with his own son as an at-home dad. Following the film, Kent got a well deserved 5 minute standing ovation, (the first one at a convention).

     Laura Cobb who is researching at- home dads noted how the themes have changed in the last three years. Although she was not there in 1996, I can say that we were all just glad to see each other, to see the faces that matched the names of those who communicated online and read about in the At-Home Dad Network. Laura identified the themes of the following 3 years: 1997: Getting the word out to the media and having at-home dads be covered more in the press. 1998: In praise of the wives; thanking them for allowing the dads to have the opportunity to stay home with their children. 1999: The men talked about how their role was a "blessing" to them. The last session, titled "The Anatomy of a Working Mom's Brain", was lead by Joan Massey. She spoke of her feelings as she went back to work, saying to he dads, "I hated going back to work. I was absolutely miserable, the only thing that got me through it was [my husband] Jay." During her speech you could tell she had picked up the office-speak as she described cooking and taking care of her child as "multi-tasking". Jay cringed when she noted that he didn't do laundry. But she also remarked that Jay works at home and is willing to pick up the extra "slack".

       Cory McPerrin, a Chicago sportscaster for the FOX network was the keynote speaker for the day. He showed various stories he has covered of local sports figures and their families, such as Michael Jordan and his father Gus and the late Walter Payton and his son. Speaking of his own childhood, he spoke fondly of his dad who served on the school board and was "always there for him". McPerrin got emotional when he noted that his father was a "great dad and that being a great dad is not about winning an emmy award, but winning the "best dad award". The convention ended on a humorous note as Chris Coby came up on stage with a brown paper bag and did a reenactment of funny moments his kids pulled off. While a few women reporters squirmed, Jim pulled out a few tampons and proceeded to show how his kid used them as props. He held up 2 of them wrapped the strings around his ears and with them both dangling, he shouted,"Look, daddy, earrings!" The crowd roared in approval. He then pulled out a few of those thin sanitary pads and held it to his ear and said mimicking his kids again. 'Look, mommy, it's a cellphone." He then ripped off a layer that makes it sticky, stuck it on the side of his head and stuck it on his ear and yelled out, "look a cellphone with no hands!" Hogan Hilling stood up and on cue, every one pumped their fists and shouted, "YES!"

      After the convention DiCenzo wrote in Marty Josephson's e-groups list, "I don't want to go overboard for the guys that weren't there, but I'm very energized today due to the wonderful experience from the convention weekend. I enjoyed meeting all the guys from the dsd listservs as well as the format this year. I was taking [my daughter] Lauren to school this morning almost walking on air and one of the mom's gave me the greatest complement as I was gloating over the weekend. She smiled and said "your kids are so lucky." I thanked her, agreed, and added, "I'm pretty lucky too.

    The 6th Annual At-Home Dads Convention, will be held in Chicago, Saturday November 17, 2001
For more info contact  DrBobFrank@aol.com  We will provide more info here as we plan the speakers for 2001

 

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