39 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com kind of an accidental ‘A’ team.” With respect to balancing work and fatherhood, Josh stated that “every large family is different.” Some of their friends with big families have their kids play the same sports or do similar activities. Josh and Katie each grew up with one sibling and felt blessed to pursue their own interests. Thus, they have supported their kids’ independence in every aspect of their lives from sports and other pursuits to getting ready for school in the morning. Still, it’s a hectic lifestyle. “It’s a lot of running around,” noted Josh. The Walters convene a family huddle each week to plan practices and projects and write schedules on a master calendar. Practices always end at slightly different times so each day involves figuring out which parent has the margin to go where. Their kids also understand there are boundaries, and they can’t do everything. A major part of how they manage is through a tribe of friends and family who assist when needed. “We can’t be at every event or game,” acknowledged Josh. “It’s a tradeoff. But we prioritize the big things.” What Josh loves most about being a father starts with being a husband and building the culture of their home and shaping their kids’ values and vision. There are things he does well, but he recognizes there are areas where he needs improvement. He tends to be task-focused and projectfocused, but less adept in relationship dynamics. Katie helps him work toward being the dad he wants to be. Josh’s dad was a marine and an “awesome dad” who he described as a “tender-hearted, kind, loving man.” However, he wasn’t around a lot. “I’m doing my best to be present,” asserted Josh. “I’m trying to embody his best qualities.” A PROUD GRANDPA Joe Odierna, a Dunes West resident and the surrogate grandfather to Sophie Rose, said the precocious 12-year-old is a wonderful, smart young lady. The proud grandpa, who typically gets to see her about every 10 days, raved that she is extremely intelligent, sweet and loving. Like any 12-year-old, she spends her fair share of time on an iPad, but she still engages in other activities with her grandparents. Just this past March, Odierna watched Sophie and a group of her friends doing an Easter egg coloring day. During the warmer months, Odierna and Sophie enjoy swimming together in the Odiernas’ pool and playing water games. To Odierna, being a grandfather means the almost unquestioned or unconditional love of a grandchild. “As a grandfather, you’re just there for fun. To have a grandchild who is so sharp is just extra special.” Odierna related how Sophie likes to pat him on the head as if to say, ‘you’re alright.’ He added that it has been pleasant watching her grow and progress. Odierna believes she is destined to accomplish great things. “Sophie is just terrific in so many ways,” gushed Odierna. “Someday she’s going to be famous.” A DAD AND A GAMER Ethan Levy lives in Carolina Park with his wife and four children aged 8, 6, 3 and 15 months. He helps run a video game studio. Levy admitted that managing the demands of a business and a big family is “incredibly difficult.” He considers himself fortunate though because he has the flexibility to work remotely, and his main business partner has three kids of their own and appreciates that family must be prioritized. “I’m privileged,” Levy said. “The key is communicating and scheduling with my wife.” Levy said he must plan ahead for critical meetings. As he pointed out, “when you have four children under 10, there is something that happens every day.” So balancing work stress and family stress can be a challenge. Most of his days are spent working until dinner and family time in the evenings, followed by helping the kids get to bed. Then he often goes back to work after 9 p.m. family Joe Odierna with his granddaughter Sophie.
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