How to Build a Chore Chart with Your Bare Hands

How to Build a Chore Chart with Your Bare Hands

From Dadville with Dave Barnes and Jon McLaughlin by That Sounds Fun Network

March 17, 2026 · 48 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the universal experience of dad guilt and the challenges of balancing work and presence in parenting.

Whether you are currently on spring break or just trying not to be "spring broke," the struggle of dad guilt is a universal experience. The fellas dive into the work-versus-presence conundrum, exploring how early "husband guilt" evolves into a paternal fear of missing out on key milestones. Then, they get honest about the triggers of feeling like a "warm body" while zoning out on soccer scores and the "comparison trap" sparked by other dads’ elaborate chore charts or "Spanish Wednesdays". From using a "brick" to battle phone distraction to the realization that most parenting is "caught, not taught," this conversation offers much-needed grace. Join us: http://dadville.substack.com Thanks to our sponsors! Quince - Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://quince.com/dadville⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! Cove - Check out Cove at ⁠⁠⁠http://covesmart.com⁠⁠⁠ and use code DAD for an additional 10% off your first order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Hosts: Dave Barnes, Jon McLaughlin

Topics covered

  • dad guilt
  • work versus presence
  • parenting challenges
  • comparison trap
  • chore charts
  • phone distraction
  • milestones

Keywords

  • dad guilt
  • parenting
  • chore chart
  • comparison trap
  • milestones
  • phone distraction
  • spring break

Sponsors

Quince, Cove

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: That Sounds Fun Network

Books & works: Dadville

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