Why I Built This: A Dad's Mission to Make Parenting Resources Accessible

If you're reading this, chances are you've been where I've been: scrolling endlessly trying to find activities for your kids, calling places to ask about schedules, wondering if there's a gymnastics class or art program that actually fits your family's reality.

I built Child Learning Resources because I got tired of watching parents struggle to find what should be simple information. But more than that, I built it because I watched my own daughters blossom when they finally got the chance to try something new, and I realized how many kids miss out on that opportunity simply because their parents couldn't find the right program or make the logistics work.

My Story

I grew up here in the Magic Valley. Money was tight, and there were stretches where we needed help to keep food on the table. What got me through was that this community showed up. There were clubs and sports and programs for me to be part of, and none of that happened by accident. Somebody organized it, and somebody made sure a kid whose family couldn't pay still got in the door.

After high school, I spent some years away from the valley. That time opened my eyes to how people face impossible circumstances, and I witnessed both incredible generosity and heartbreaking indifference. I learned that the difference between a kid who thrives and one who struggles often comes down to whether someone showed up for them.

I came home, got married, and became a dad to two incredible daughters. My oldest is 7 now, and my youngest is 3. The biggest surprise about becoming a parent? How much you can love another person. I mean, you hear people say it, but until you're lying awake at 2am wondering if your kid is making friends or if you handled bedtime the right way or what you can do to make their world better, you don't really get it.

My marriage didn't work out. It was difficult, and the divorce taught me what it means to really fight for your kids. I learned to make every moment count.

Why This Matters

Here's the thing that sparked all of this: I wanted to get my daughters into activities. Simple, right?

But here's the reality. Most activities meet weekly and expect kids to be there every week. Dance on Tuesdays. Soccer on Wednesdays. Gymnastics every Thursday. When you share custody and your kids alternate between households, these weekly programs only work if both parents are willing to cooperate. One parent has to sign them up, but both parents need to commit to getting the kids there.

I offered to pay for everything. I offered to handle the enrollment and logistics on my end. I just needed cooperation to make it work.

That cooperation never came.

So I had to find something different. I searched for programs that would work with an every-other-week schedule, where my daughters could attend only on the weeks they were with me. Those programs are incredibly rare, and most places had never even considered that scheduling need.

Finally, I found a gymnastics program willing to work with us. I enrolled my girls, and I watched something incredible happen over the course of that summer.

My 7-year-old was terrified of the balance beam at first. She'd take one step and freeze. But over the weeks I had them, I watched her grow. One session, she walked across with her head up. By the end of summer, she was strutting across that beam with confidence. The pride on her face, the pure joy, that's what every kid deserves to experience.

Both my daughters came alive in those classes. They walked taller. They tried new things. They believed in themselves more.

And I thought: How many kids never get this chance because their parents couldn't find a program that fit? Because the information wasn't available? Because the logistics were too complicated?

What I'm Building

I made a choice a while back. I restructured my work so that my parenting time is guaranteed and nothing can be scheduled over it. It meant a significant pay cut and losing benefits, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat. When I have my daughters, my time is 100% theirs. When I don't have them, I'm building things like this website, learning to code, working on projects that might help other families.

Child Learning Resources started as a simple idea: parents in Magic Valley need an easy way to find activities, events, and programs for their kids. Especially parents dealing with non-traditional schedules, custody arrangements, budget constraints, or just the chaos of everyday life.

Right now, you can browse local activities and programs that actually list their scheduling flexibility. You can find free and low-cost options. You can read honest blog posts about parenting challenges and tips from someone who's living it.

But here's what I'm really building toward: I want this to become a place where parents can find not just activities, but resources that help raise kids into capable, confident adults. Our education system doesn't teach personal finance, cooking, basic life skills, how to think critically. I want to help fill that gap, not just for kids but for parents too.

My Approach to Parenting

I'm not an expert. I'm not a child psychologist or a teacher. I'm just a dad who pays attention and learns from his mistakes.

I parent with one eye on the future. I want my daughters to have skills that carry them through life. I want them to be kind and willing to help others. I want them to think for themselves and have the confidence to speak up when something matters.

I give them freedom to choose within boundaries that keep them safe. I communicate honestly with them. I try to teach integrity and independent thinking. And yeah, I mess up sometimes. We all do.

But here's what I know: I spend a lot of nights lying awake wondering if I'm doing this right. Am I teaching them what they need to know? Are they happy? What can I do better? Parenting isn't easy. But it's absolutely worth it if you're willing to show up.

What I Want for You

I built this site for the parent searching at midnight for summer camps. For the single mom trying to find something her kid can do on her custody days. For the dad working two jobs who wants his kids to have experiences but doesn't know where to start. For the grandparent raising grandkids who just needs a break.

I want you to find what you're looking for. I want your kids to have the chance to walk across their own balance beam, whatever that looks like for them.

I love sharing technology with my kids. I love cooking with them. I love 3D printing little toys and surprises for when they come over. But most of all, I love giving them experiences. I'd rather spend money on a day at the zoo or a new class than buy a pile of toys that'll be forgotten in a week.

If you couldn't tell, my kids mean the world to me.

And maybe, just maybe, by building something that helps parents find resources and opportunities for their kids, I can help your kids matter to the world too.

Join Me

This site is just getting started. I'm adding new activities and events regularly. I'm writing blog posts about the real stuff, the challenges and the wins. I'm building tools and resources that I wish existed when I needed them.

If you find something useful here, tell another parent. If you have ideas for what would help you, let me know. If you know of programs or activities that work with non-traditional schedules, share them.

We're all in this together, trying to raise good humans in a complicated world. Let's make it a little easier on each other.

Welcome to Child Learning Resources. I'm glad you're here.

Have questions or suggestions? I'd love to hear from you.