E516 Navigating Parenthood with Four Kids, Including Twins

Summary: This week we welcome husband and wife Minor and Sarah Baker, both professors at Missouri State University in the Elementary and Early Childhood Education program. They talk about having a total of four children and twins as their second and third. Their experience was a blur, but both worked together as a team in a challenging season of life.  Minor Baker (PhD): Minor is an Assistant Professor in the Elementary Education program, in the School of Teaching, Learning, and Developmental Studies in the College of Education. He has been at Missouri State since the fall of 2018. A native midwesterner who has spent time in Texas, Minnesota, and now Missouri. His research interests include school and community interactions, culturally sustaining supervision, and alternative interpretations of school leadership. Sarah Jean Baker (PhD): Sarah is an Assistant Professor in the Early Childhood Program, in the School of Teaching, Learning, and Developmental Studies in the College of Education at Missouri State University. She earned her PhD in School Improvement from Texas State University. She has experience working in public schools as an early childhood teacher- teaching kindergarten and first grade, as well as leading schools as a school leader. Her research interests include teacher preparation and teacher development for social justice and culturally sustaining pedagogy, early childhood education, and women’s issues in schools. She is a proud mama to four children and often finds her greatest joys and struggles in her mama identity.    Show Notes: "The technician told us, 'Well they both look great.' Minor and I looked at each other ... What do you mean both? She said, 'Oh my gosh, you didn't know you were having twins? Look, here!'" (3:15) "Was your largest concern fincances, or ... what are you thinking about when you realize you are suddenly going to be a dad of three?" (10:25) "It feels like it must have been a blur?" "Yeah, people ask what it's like to have twins, and I go, 'oh I don't know."' (13:10) "We always had the twins on the same schedule... So I don't remember that part being stressful, but you do get sleep deprived." (18:10) "This whole podcast [episode] is to help other parents with twins or three kids, four kids, and it's like, 'we just kinda got through it and we don't even remember.'" (21:03) "High schoolers and middle schoolers at the same time... zero out of ten, I do not recommend." (24:40) Resources: Sign up for our newsletter and never miss a podcast! The Good Dads blog gooddads.com