Daddy Blogger Series: OWTK

By Chris Frey
June 10, 2011

Mommy blogs get all the attention. But pops have something to say about parenting, too. In honor of Father's Day on June 19th, we're turning to a few of our favorite daddy bloggers for Father's Day gift ideas, suggestions for how to spend the day and some insights into what it's like to bare it all on the parenting blogosphere. Read below for today's featured Father, and check back here as we roll out more interviews.—The Editors

Jeff Bogle A virtual kiddie rock bible, Out with the Kids (OWTK) highlights the best new music along with theater, technology, literature and toys in what daddy blogger Jeff Bogle defines as the "kindie" world. Bogle fell in love with music as a 17-year-old in the early '90s, when he enthusiastically immersed himself in the indie rock culture of that era, promoting shows and running a small record label. Today, as a parent, he channels that same indie spirit into his domestic life by supporting Mom and Pop businesses and through his parenting blog by calling attention to the producers and creators who are out of the mainstream (there is nary a Disney character in sight).

Jeff Bogle, now 35 with two daughters, ages 7 and 4, started the Out With the Kids parenting blog when his first daughter was two years old. A stay-at-home, work-at-home dad, Bogle says that he and Bill Cosby’s TV super dad alter ego Cliff Huxtable, “are pretty much the same dude… minus the gorgeous brownstone and private physician’s practice in my basement.” As daddy blogger's own family has grown, his site has gained in popularity and become a trusted resource for parents looking for kids' products beyond what's available at the local Toys "R" Us. He's also become a contributor for other sites and publications like iVillage and Time Out New York Kids.

1. The Inside Source: Why be a daddy blogger? What has been the most fulfilling part for you? The most surprising?

Jeff Bogle: My early attempts at being a mommy blogger were thoroughly unsuccessful, so I fell back on the daddy blogger safety net. My blogging life started as a way of expressing, as un-narcissistically as possible, my approach to parenting. Basically, active involvement with my children and media that falls outside of the mainstream—sort of an extension of how I lived my life before becoming a daddy or a blogger. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t fulfilling getting positive reaction from other parents who have gone through similar experiences, or those who are touched by the memories and emotions my writing culls from them. But, truly the most fulfilling is the idea that I’m getting better at two things at once—parenting and writing—and I don’t think for a minute that they aren’t related.

2. The Inside Source: How are Daddy blogs different from Mommy blogs (which get a lot more media attention)?

Jeff Bogle: To answer this one is to answer the age-old question of what make a man different from a woman. I don’t know the answer to that one, or this one. I’m not even sure a real answer that isn’t aggravatingly stereotypical or overly general in nature exists. We’re all just parents trying to make sense of having people under our care while using the creative outlet of blogs as a cathartic exercise in publicizing our successes, failures and humorous anecdotes.

3. The Inside Source: If we were to read five posts from your parenting blog, what would they be and why?

Jeff Bogle: These are the five I like the best. I think they represent some of my best writing.

All of these, in some form or fashion, feature my true voice. This is something I’ve struggled with and continue to work at—finding and using my real voice to express myself on my own site. In the past, I’ve felt my best work, that which tapped into me as the sarcastic and witty father I am, has been published elsewhere, on other websites or in magazines, which is an extremely odd feeling.

Click through this gallery to see Bogle's five favorite posts.

Previous Next

OWTK Introduces You to Dala

In Nov '09, after interviewing the duo, I'm one of the 1st U.S. outlets to introduce readers and music fans to the charming Canadian girl group Dala.
Review: Universal Orlando Islands of Adventure & Wizarding World of Harry Potter

My review of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (or how I traveled to Orlando and survived with a little bit of magic):
We'll Meet Again, Foam Witch

Me vs. the Foam Witch Lady
Quick Thoughts: On Becoming a Parent (And Staying True to Yourself)

On staying true to yourself.
In Memoriam: Innocence

I wax poetic about the loss of childhood innocence with references to breakfast-throwing monkeys, Egyptian pyramids and Santa Claus:

4. The Inside Source: Describe your perfect Father's Day.

Jeff Bogle: To be perfectly honest, I’m not a big fan of the artificial holidays. This particular Sunday on the calendar could be filled with happy children who want to snuggle, read books, play games, and dance around the house—pretty much my ideal recipe for every single day I manage to wake up alive and healthy.

5. The Inside Source: If you could go on a Father's Day shopping spree, what would you buy?

Jeff Bogle: The answer to #4 aside, I still like to shop. Money no object? An Audi Q5. I sat in one at the Philadelphia Auto Show earlier this year and even though I’m not a luxury car guy, I want so badly for a vehicle that eliminates all road noise. It’s my one car-related wish. I think this Audi would do the trick. Oh, it’s pretty darn comfy inside, and cool looking, too!

6. The Inside Source: Do you shop on eBay online auctions? Any favorite eBay stories or frequently used keywords?

Jeff Bogle: I do shop on eBay. I’ve been selling and buying on the auction site for well over a decade and love it. I’m always looking for cute old things on eBay for the kids—Richard Scarry’s Busytown toys, Wizard of Oz and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang figures, and such. I also frequently query Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Red Wings and FC Barcelona, my favorite sports teams, trying to find nothing specific but keeping my eye out for something neat-o.

Many years ago, I used eBay to sell a bunch of new indie rock CDs. I’d buy them from my local independent record store, rip them to my laptop and then flip them on eBay. I’d lose $5 or so on each (buy for $12 / sell for $7, for example) but that meant two things in the end: 1) I technically bought the ‘digital’ album for only $5 and still got to peruse the physical liner notes before I shipped ‘em off, and most importantly 2) I was supporting the indie record store.

Here’s a list of the items I want, not need, and would probably never buy for myself:

OWTK Blogger Jeff Bogle's eBay Wish List

Afghan Whigs "Up In It" LP

(buy it now price, $79.95)
Afghan Whigs "Big Top Halloween" LP

The first two items are rare 1st pressings of the 1st release of the band that helped change the trajectory of my life as a 17-year old, The Afghan Whigs. I have everything else the band ever released. It would be amazing to finish off the collection.
iPad 2

An iPad 2 before we leave for summer vacation and a long flight.
FC Barcelona Tickets

A pair of tickets to see FC Barcelona in Dallas, TX on 8/6. Of course, I’d need airfare to go with this! I’ve never seen Barca in person and airfare to Spain is a bit out of reach, so I’d love to take full advantage of my favorite club coming to the States this summer.
XBox Kinect

We’re not a huge gaming family, but we’d still love to get active with this amazing set-up from XBOX. We’ve played it at my brother’s house and it’s so much fun.