Poor Dad, Really Poor Dad

Money seems vital to nurturing a child. Ask fathers whether they’d rather be a rich dad or a poor dad, and almost all will say, “Of course, the rich one.”

This poor dad thinks differently. He even relishes being called a poor dad. That’s strange. He makes half of minimum wage. He’s terrible at building a fortune. He’s not just a poor dad. He’s a really poor dad.

Some might say being poor is an abominable sin for someone expecting a baby in two months. This poor dad must disagree because he’s about to become a full-time father, saving tons on extravagant spending. He earns less, but he saves more.

This poor dad doesn’t buy things to feel happy. He buys only what’s absolutely necessary. He wears the same sweatshirt he wore in college. He’s subscribed to the cheapest 1G data plan for his flip phone. Most of his clothes came from his late father. He wears socks and boxers until they rip to pieces. His wife cuts his hair. He bakes sourdough Rugbrød for breakfast. He puts art, friendship, and family at the epicenter of his life. This poor dad has an acute sense of what matters.

This poor dad says most people are brainwashed into believing material wealth is life’s ultimate goal. He refuses to let his child become another cog in the capitalist machine. He says consumerism poisons our souls. His life’s purpose is to make sure his child never says her dream is to become a doctor or lawyer just to make a lot of money.

Instead of buying, this poor dad will create to meet his child’s needs. Games will be invented. Toys will be carved. Clothes will be woven. Pizzas will be baked. This poor dad treats his child’s desire as the most sacred inspiration.

This poor dad treats parenthood as a chance to become a spiritual teacher, a karate sensei, a Michelin-starred chef. He commits to learning everything required to raise a child into an independent, self-sufficient human.

This poor dad doesn’t care what others think about his tiny house, beat-up car, or meager wages. This poor dad invests time in his child. He doesn’t hire others to be the child’s guardians. This poor dad looks forward to playing, cooking, learning, hiking, swimming, drawing, writing, carving, programming, reading, laughing, and joking with his child.

This poor dad is really exited to become a father soon.