
Dylan Dreyer sits down with Dave Ogleton — aka @FitDadCEO — the TikTok and Instagram dad who's turned the chaos of raising six kids into hilarious, relatable parenting content. Together, they get into the parent you swore you'd be before having kids versus the parent you actually are: the rules you said you'd never break, the battles you get stuck fighting even when you don't care who wins, and the dinner table struggles over your kids immediately rejecting whatever you put in front of them.
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Dylan Dreyer
We gather here tonight to bring women back to their rightful place.
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Dylan Dreyer
It's easier to accept a story than believe that the people around you are monsters.
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The battle isn't over.
Dylan Dreyer
There comes a time when you have to take action, when you have to choose your own destiny. Never quite as it seems.
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Watch the new Hulu original series, the Testaments, streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney for bundle subscribers. Terms apply. For my family, I'm always at my best.
Dylan Dreyer
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Dylan Dreyer
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Dave Ogleton
The youngest is sitting there just staring at this thing like it's slugs in a bowl. And he was like.
Dylan Dreyer
And it's like, it's just noodles and cheeses.
Dave Ogleton
I'm like, dude, it's pasta. You eat pasta every day.
Dylan Dreyer
He's like, I don't know what that is. And I just don'.
Dave Ogleton
I'm like, oh, my God. Oh, my.
Dylan Dreyer
Hi, everyone, and welcome back to another episode. Before we get started here, I want to show you this video I remember. You know, before I became a mom, I imagined dinner with the family every night, right? All of us sitting together at the table, the napkins on your lap, you have your knife and your fork, and everybody's just eating this delicious meal that I cooked because we'd never order takeout. And then cut to this. It's just a typical night at my house. I always said I would never let my kids sing at the table, right? Or chaos happen at the table. I mean, somehow Rusty has a harmonica, so he's playing that at the table. Cal and Ollie are jumping around, egging him on, dancing, lifting their shirts. What isn't happening at the table? And yes, I ordered takeout. It's just burgers and FR spread all over the table, ketchup everywhere. And it's funny when my mom comes to visit and she's there to experience this madness because dinner was so different when I was a kid. It was calm, it was quiet. You ate your meal, you cleaned up after dinner. It's just so funny, you know? And I just look at it like my kids are Having so much fun, you know, and if they look back at dinner time as a fun time, I mean, look at the joy, look at the happiness, look at the laughter. Those are the memories that the, those kids are gonna have. And as long as you're all together, I mean, sometimes you just gotta let the rules of dinner time go away. So on with the show. That's exactly what we're going to talk about. The parent you thought you would be, then you have kids and now the parent you are. Right? I think sometimes we have this goal in our life to be this perfect parent. And to be perfect, you have to do this. Who says that that's the case? Right? So our guest on this episode talks about exactly that. His videos are absolutely hilarious. I mean, he just makes parenting so relatable.
Dave Ogleton
Listen, my kids will never do that. You want to eat the yellow snow? Huh? You want to eat it? Go ahead, eat the yellow snow. I bring it to you in a snow cone. Just stop screaming.
Dylan Dreyer
My guest today is Dave Ogleton. Most likely you know him better as Fit Dad CEO on TikTok and Instagram. He has six kids ranging from 16 all the way down to four. He lives in Philly with his wife and, and all those kids. Dave, I'm so happy to chat with you today. Thanks so much for joining us. I mean, you've got the extreme of kids. You know, you're dealing with the teenage years, you're still dealing with the toddler years. What is like a typical day in the life of you?
Dave Ogleton
Like, it's like basically like non stop is what it is. I mean, like the time that they're in school is pretty lax. But like, even just that in general is like, we're getting a call from my son. Like last week he decided to text Jackie in the middle of the day and he was like, hey, I ruined my clothes and gym. And I'm like, what do you mean? And I'm like, why are you texting us at 10:30 in the morning? How do you even get your phone? Something is always popping up when you have six kids, like, something is always like coming up where you have to like drop what you're doing. I feel like, yeah, so it can be chaotic at times, but it's a good thing because it really does just give me like tons of inspiration and ideas and content constantly.
Dylan Dreyer
Which age do you find gives you the most fodder?
Dave Ogleton
Our 8 year old is just like that girl. She's either going to be like the greatest criminal mastermind in the world or she's gonna be like the president. I have no idea. But she's definitely the one who definitely. Actually, I can't even say that. Our youngest, definitely. I'm glad he's the last because if he was the first, we wouldn't have had any more kids.
Dylan Dreyer
How has your parenting style changed as you had more and more kids? Cause I know, like, my third can get away with anything, and I will give in to him just to shut
Dave Ogleton
him up with each one. I think, like, if there was like a meter of, like, patience, it would just be like a non existent at this point. And by the time, like, we got to the youngest, we were just like, oh, he's going to be like that. Because our second youngest, she was like an angel. Like, she was perfect. She would wake up from a nap and clouds are surrounding her head and birds are chirping and she would just smile. He wakes up and it's like a thunderstorm and hail and like, you know, you just like explode. Expect the worst. And so it's. The parenting style is a little different definitely with each one of them.
Dylan Dreyer
Yeah.
Dave Ogleton
But it also has to be, like, somewhat consistent as well with all of them too, or they're just gonna, like, run over us. There's only two of us and they outnumber us, like, by like three times the amount. Well, yeah, so they could easily take us out if they wanted to, but yeah, so definitely the youngest gets away with a lot way more than the older ones do.
Dylan Dreyer
I love that nap. Wake up. You know, I listen for the footsteps, and I try to judge what mood they're in based on the footsteps. And you never know until he turns the corner, like, what we're waking up to here. Cause he. He's either like, super happy or just like crying for no reason. Just to cry because he's miserable over, you know, God knows what. Like, I just. I don't know.
Dave Ogleton
Our youngest woke up yesterday. He fell asleep. When he got home from preschool, he passed out on the couch. And I go in to go check on him. Our oldest son was home, and he comes in and he goes, oh, Preston's not happy. He was like, apparently he's not happy that we have company over. And I was like, what? Why is he mad about that? And, like, that's like the most random thing. And then he comes in, tears down his face, and he's like, I just didn't. I don't want them here. And I was like, why? They weren't doing anything to you. And I'm just like. Then two seconds later, you just distract him with something, and he's just running around, happy as a clam. He's good to go.
Dylan Dreyer
I don't want them here. You want to, like, cover their ears. It's like, it's not you, it's him.
Dave Ogleton
Yeah, yeah, it's him. But I'm telling you, telling our neighbor this, and I'm like, he apparently didn't want your kids here. I have no idea why. And she was just like. She was like. She's like, hey, you know, he just had a bad nap. I don't know. I'm not sure.
Dylan Dreyer
It is funny, those dynamics with other kids. Like, I find we'll be out on the park, and it's like a friend of his from school who he has had play dates with, and then we're on the. Like, at the park, and I'm like, why don't you go play with him? And he's like. And I'm like, well, why not? Like, his dad is standing right there waiting for you to come over. Like, they're waiting to play soccer for when you go there. And hanging onto my leg. Like, I'm like, use words. Like, what could possibly be the problem?
Dave Ogleton
See, so that part, right, that you're talking about, too, with the clinging, he doesn't do that to me. He does it to Jackie. And it infuriates me. And it doesn't infuriate me because it's happening to me. It's because I'm literally, like, pressing get off of her. Like, I was like, get. Like, literally, like, she. And it's funny because Jackie loves kids. And, like, with each one of them, they always come to her for, like, everything. They just. Because they know I'm going to be like, no. But they go to her for, like, everything. And, like, the youngest, I feel like he's taken everything that they have and just embodied it into just wrapping his arms around her leg and, like, never letting it go.
Dylan Dreyer
Stay with us. We'll be right back after the break. We gather here tonight to bring women back to their rightful place.
Hulu Advertiser
The Testaments, a new Hulu original series from the executive producers of the Handmaid's Tale.
Dylan Dreyer
It's easier to accept a story than believe that the people around you are monsters.
Hulu Advertiser
The battle isn't over.
Dylan Dreyer
There comes a time when you have to take action, when you have to choose your own destiny. Never quite as it seems.
Hulu Advertiser
What's the new Hulu original series? The Testaments. Streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney for bundle subscribers terms apply.
Dylan Dreyer
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Dave Ogleton
guys, Willie Geist here reminding you to check out the Sunday Sit down podcast. On this week's episode, I get together with stand up comedy superstar Nate Bargetzi in front of a live audience at New York City Winery to talk about his rise from small clubs to sold out arenas around the world. You can get my conversation with Nate for free wherever you download your podcasts.
Dylan Dreyer
As a parent, there's so much to complain about, right? Like every day there's just something like, I don't think I've put the kids to bed at night and like walked out of the room with a smile on my face. Like, it's always like, oh my God, what just happened?
Dave Ogleton
Sounds like everyone has like the same kids. It's great, right?
Dylan Dreyer
And that's what makes it so relatable. But you know, there's also people out there who, well, like, stop complaining. This is your job, right? You're a parent. You shouldn't have done it if you didn't like. But I think complaining is part of the joy of parenting. Like, how do you take those negative comments?
Dave Ogleton
People are going to have opinions about everything. It doesn't matter. Like, there's a meme that I saw and it was someone said, you can make a comment about an orange and someone else would say, well, you didn't even mention the bananas over there. That's like, that's ridiculous. Like, why? Why would you not mention them? They're right there in the room. It's funny to me that the people who are the ones making comments like that don't even have kids, right? They're always the loudest. People with the zero experience are always the ones because the second they have kids, they understand that it's not always going to be like, roses and oh my kids, they look like angels while they're sleeping. No, they look like angels while they're sleeping. But then you have to remember that they eventually wake up as well. And that's the part where you, like, when you put them to bed, you're like, I'm glad this day is over.
Dylan Dreyer
You have one post where it was like, you know, before kids, after kids, and it usually revolves around food.
Dave Ogleton
Here is your lunch. What's that? What's my New Year's resolution? It's to be more patient and more understanding. What? Your grilled cheese touched your Mac and cheese. You need new grilled cheese. But the. The Mac and cheese and the grilled cheese, they both. They both had cheese on them. Patience and understanding.
Dylan Dreyer
So, like, what is something you do that you said you would never do before kids?
Dave Ogleton
See, this is, like, a weird one, because, like, my parents don't curse, like, ever. And, you know, once I grew up, I was like, I'm never gonna curse around my kids, like, ever. And I'm pretty sure that stopped about a couple years after my daughter was old. My oldest daughter was, like, two or three. And now I'm pretty sure my kids know every word. That's, like, in the profanity glossary.
Dylan Dreyer
Do you let them say it?
Dave Ogleton
No.
Dylan Dreyer
Okay.
Dave Ogleton
Okay. So my two oldest are starting to get a little bit slick with stuff that they say. And, like, they'll throw in something at the dinner table when we're talking, and I'll be like. And I'll look at Jackie, like. And she'll look at me, and we're both like, are we gonna say anything about that?
Dylan Dreyer
Or, like.
Dave Ogleton
And then I'll be like, he's old enough to understand how to use that. So.
Dylan Dreyer
Okay.
Dave Ogleton
We're like, okay. And I'll look at him, and he'll kind of stop and look at me, and he'll go like, he knows what he said. And I'm like, yeah, I heard it. I heard what you said. So. So, yeah, that's probably the one I would say. I. I always said I would never curse in front of the kids, and now it's like, you know, I'm a sailor. It's what it is.
Dylan Dreyer
What can you do? There was one time when I guess my oldest was, like, maybe three or four, and. And floors. Lava was like, such. You know, it's always a big thing for kids. And I'm kind of in the other room, and he's, like, kind of, like, elbowing across the counter, right? And his feet aren't touching the floor. And all of a sudden I hear, get the fork out of the way. And I was like, what? And then I go in to check on him. There's an actual fork sitting on the counter. That was in his way. He was actually saying, get the fork out of the way.
Dave Ogleton
It is funny. Like, I made the one video of the before and after. And at the end of the video, you know, I made a quick phone call to my mom, I think, and I was just like, hey, just wanted to say I apologize. And she was like, for what? And I just would say, just everything. Just being a kid in general, like, at all. So it's one of those things where it's like, you kind of have to remember that you were the exact same thing that your kids were as well.
Dylan Dreyer
Yeah. I just don't feel like I can be as strict as my parents were back in the day.
Dave Ogleton
I saw a video the other day on Instagram, and the guy, he's like, a child specialist, and he was like, you know, don't threaten your kids. Don't give them empty threats. If you're going to threaten your kids, don't follow through on this threat. They, like, if you're saying you're going to go to your room in five minutes and you don't go, then you have to follow through on that five minutes or they're going to continue to just keep doing what they're doing because they see there's no actual consequences for it.
Dylan Dreyer
And I hate when I get stuck in that situation. Like, there's, like, a little thing that I really don't care that much about. Right. Like, my son wants to wear Crocs instead of sneakers, but it's raining outside, right? So now it's like, no, you have to wear sneakers. It's raining. Your feet are going to get wet. I want to wear crops, you know, when we're fighting. And I hit a point where it's like, I really don't care what you wear, but I can't give in. And now I'm just, like, stuck in this battle that I don't even want to have. Everybody's miserable when I'm like, fine, wear Crocs and get your feet wet. Like, learn from that. But I hate when I get myself stuck in this battle that I need to hold my ground to win. To win. Exactly.
Dave Ogleton
That's. Yeah, I heard something before. I did this, like, personal development course, like, 10 years ago. And that was, like, a thing that I dealt with just in general, not with just kids. Was like, wanting to be right about everything all the time. And the person said to me, would you rather be right than loved? And I don't necessarily live by that. I'm not even going to say I do, but I will say I always. It always is in the back of my mind whenever I'm going too far with like, an argument, and I kind of have to, like, check myself.
Dylan Dreyer
It is funny being a parent. Like, I still don't feel old enough to be a parent. Like, I remember when I was first pregnant, I was scared to tell my dad, and I was, like, 33 years old, like, when I was pregnant with my first child. And I just, like, I'm not old enough. I can't do this. And, like, there's so much that we're just kind of flying by the seat of our pants. And I feel like I'm a great parent, right? Like, I've got good rules. My kids are well adjusted. Like, we talk and all of that. But so many times I just want to be like, listen, buddy. Like, I'm not really that mad at this. Like, you could take so much advantage of me right now, and you would win.
Dave Ogleton
Do your thing.
Dylan Dreyer
For some reason, they think we're in charge, right? I guess that's what you try to convince them of.
Dave Ogleton
I think our kids have figured out that we aren't in charge anymore, and I think that's where we're. We're at that level. I think they thought that and then they started to realize they were like, no, guys. Like, we outnumber them. So, like, not really. If one of you just pisses them off, the rest of us can just go and do whatever we want to do. I still feel like I'm, like, in my teenage years, 20s sometimes raising a teenager. And I'm like, she'll be like, talking about something, and I'll be like, yeah. I'm like, no, dude, you can't agree with that. Like, you gotta give parenting advice. Like, don't agree with that. But, yeah, it is. It is tough to sometimes parent, you know, especially older kids, when you still yourself feel like you're like, I feel like I just got out of my, like, 15 years myself. It's crazy.
Dylan Dreyer
There's so much teasing in my house and, like, pushing buttons. And my oldest is, like, the ringleader of it all. He doesn't get in trouble for anything, but he's making everybody else get in trouble for stuff. Like, how do you handle that?
Dave Ogleton
I remember, you know, I'm one of four. Like I said, I have three brothers, and we would mess with each other all the time, but we, like, were relentless with my little brother. We would pick on him, like, constantly.
Dylan Dreyer
And we were, like, the original bullies.
Dave Ogleton
We were the original bullies, like, very easily and just watching my kids do it to each other at some point. Two oldest are definitely the ringleaders. Let's just get that out of the way. But they pick their victims who they want to mess with. And I'll, I'll step in and be like, yo, listen, I'll pick on all six of you at the same time. I was like, I'll make you all feel bad. So like, stop. Seriously. But yeah, we do a lot of, like, breaking up fights and like, hey, knock it off. But then we come to find out that, like, the youngest is the one who actually started it. That's why it's great having cameras around the house sometimes because, like, I will literally be like, I'll go to the tape, guys. Like, I'll literally go to the tape and see. And I do it a lot of the times and I'm like, dude, you lied to me. Like, what are you doing? Like, come on. So it's a broken machine, I'll tell you that much. It's not a very well oiled machine, but we just make it work every day. And they're all still alive.
Dylan Dreyer
More of the parent chat after the break.
Dave Ogleton
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Dylan Dreyer
Hey, everyone, check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?
Dave Ogleton
Oh, no. We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.
Dylan Dreyer
Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.
Dave Ogleton
Anyways, only pay for what you need@libertymutual.com Liberty.
Dylan Dreyer
Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. We gather here tonight to bring women back to their rightful place.
Hulu Advertiser
The Testaments, a new Hulu original series from the executive producers of the Handmaid's Tale.
Dylan Dreyer
It's easier to accept a story than believe that the people around you are monsters.
Hulu Advertiser
The battle isn't over.
Dylan Dreyer
There comes a time when you have to take action, when you have to choose your own destiny. Never quite as it seems.
Hulu Advertiser
Watch the new Hulu original series, the Testaments, streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney for bundle subscribers. Terms apply.
Dylan Dreyer
What's up, rich people? It's me, Haley, aka Mrs. Dow Jones. Money is juicy. That is why I have taken it upon myself to start a new podcast called Financial Tea. Every single week, I will break down what is happening in money right now.
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Plus, I'm going to bring on experts,
Dylan Dreyer
entrepreneurs and influencers to spill their financial tea. Think of it as your new weekly financial gossip column. Financial Tea is out now. Wherever you get your podcasts or watch on YouTube. There's also not a lot of dads who do what you do. Right. There's a lot of moms out there producing content and parenting and all that kind of stuff. Do you feel like you're a voice for dads? You know, like a voice that dads can turn and relate to?
Dave Ogleton
I don't think so. I mean, I think if anything, I probably, I don't, I. And I, I said this a couple days ago. I don't ever want to be a voice for dads. But I do love that there is like this community where other dads can talk and we could talk to each other about like our frustrations. And so if anything, I'm like a soundboard more than a voice. And I'm like, totally fine with that. I'm like, hey, I'm just trying not to screw my own kids up. I'm not giving you advice on how not to screw yours up. Okay.
Dylan Dreyer
Of course. Are you gonna have any more kids?
Dave Ogleton
God, no. No. I mean, I'm already.
Dylan Dreyer
We're already passing. God, no. After like six kids.
Dave Ogleton
Yeah. It's like our plan was like, oh, when we, when we had our oldest, we were like, we're such young parents. We're going to be like in our like early 40s by the time, like she's like out of high school. And then we had our son and we were like, okay, so we'll still be in our early 40s, but you know, and then now it's like, okay, whatever. Just make sure one of them is like rich so they can put us in like a retirement home or something. Like.
Dylan Dreyer
Right. You gotta think of another method here. I remember when people were asking, you know, because I have three boys, are you gonna try for a girl? And I said, you know, my luck, I'd have twin boys if I tried for a girl. Like, it would just never work. But part of the reason why I didn't want to have any more kids was because I was just so sick of that like one year old, two year old phase. Because you're so stuck at home and it's like, sounds good in theory. Like, oh, you could travel with the kids. Just put them in a carrier and you're. It'll be great, you know, but it's like, no, I want to go to Universal or Disneyland. Like, I want to travel. Like, I want to have experiences for the 8 year old and the 5 year old and not always have like a baby baby around.
Dave Ogleton
One of my favorite things that people love to say is like, just cherish this Time. Cherish this. You're good. When they're older, you're going to miss it and you're going to just cherish this time. And it's usually those one to two year old ages and it's like we're trying to make sure that they're not running into the street or running into the table in the living room and hitting the corner of it because they're just walking. I'm like, no, I guess I absolutely am cherishing it. But I also want the time to go a little bit faster too.
Dylan Dreyer
I'm not a very sympathetic person. You know, if you get hurt or if one of you hits the other person, I'm like, I'm staying out of this. Like, this is on you guys.
Dave Ogleton
I know. But then I, I always make myself feel bad because I'm like, should I be more sympathetic? And I'm like, I'm like always. I'm like, should I be? And it's always something that they could have avoided, that I told them not to do that. They end up getting hurt. It's like the same thing like when you're in a restaurant and you see this kid running up and down the aisle, that's not your kid. And then they end up tripping by accident and falling.
Dylan Dreyer
I'm like, well, that's where that was going.
Dave Ogleton
I mean, that's. Maybe you should have been in your seat. I don't know what to tell you. And it's on the playground. And then I'm like, that. I'm like, I should be more sympathetic. And then I'm just like, but I'm just not. It's, you know.
Dylan Dreyer
Yeah. No, I'm. I'm like, my son was riding on a scooter the other day and scooters in New York City, like they're everywhere, right? Like you just kind of let them go and they're like two blocks ahead of you. And I see that. I forget which one it even was that fell, but I just see him now face plant on the floor and this other person like runs up, you know, like, oh my gosh. Because he can't find me, right? Like he's looking around and like, where, where could this, this poor child's mother be? And I'm kind of like just slowly walking up and he runs over. He's like, is he okay? And I'm like, he's fine. Like, really? He was still face down at this point. I'm like, really? Really? You know when you drop your cell phone and you pick it up and you hope it's not cracked. Like, it's kind of where I was with this child. Like, I hope nothing's broken. And. But then he, like, eventually picks his head up with a smile on his face. I'm like, see, this is why I can't. I can't care. Because you're either dramatic and lying about, you know, this injury always, or, you know, it never should have happened in the first place.
Dave Ogleton
But, yeah.
Dylan Dreyer
Okay, so now we usually talk about some parenting wins and fails.
Dave Ogleton
We got through Disney. To me, that's, like, a huge win.
Dylan Dreyer
Was it fun?
Dave Ogleton
Yeah. Yeah. We managed to get through our vacation and only had one major argument amongst, like, all of us. And usually, like, there's, like, bickering constantly. But me, I got to give me and Jackie some credit.
Dylan Dreyer
We got through nice.
Dave Ogleton
We got through a pretty good week of, like. And we were, like, really concise. Like, we. We were very, very strict about, like, we're not buying this or not buying that.
Dylan Dreyer
Did you stick to that?
Dave Ogleton
We stuck to it. We were good with it. And, you know, we've been there a few times already, and it's like, every time we go, we end up having to buy a suitcase just to carry back the stuff that we buy for them. And at this time, you were just like, no, you can get, like, one or two things. And then, like, that's it. I'm like, we're not getting anything more than that. And, well, they got this, and theirs equal this amount of money, and how come I can. And I'm like, how do you even know how much that costs? I'm like, how are you even adding that up? I'm like, you barely know math.
Dylan Dreyer
All right, so since you did a win for Disney, I'll do the fail. When I went to Disney, I took all three. My mom was coming to help, right? And we had plenty of adults around. So then we're all in the hotel, right? Like, it's been a day. We're all, like, hot. Everybody's just, like, irritated with each other. The other two want to go in the pool. And I said, I have to shower before dinner. Like, I just need a moment. I'm shutting the door, and I'm going to take a shower, right? So now Calvin starts banging on the door, mom, you have to come out. You have to come out. And I'm like, why? He's like, there's blood. And I said, oh, God. I said, who's got a bloody nose? He's like, no, you got it. And I'm like, son of A fine. So I get out. It was like a murder scene. I don't know how one kid jumped from one bed to. To the other bed, smashed into my mom's shoulder, knocked his two front teeth, like, backwards, right? Like, you can't even. It looks like they're gone because his teeth. And now there's just. There's just blood everywhere. And I quick had to make an emergency call to the dentist we have on call because all my kids seem to, like, knock their teeth out. She's like, you got to like, just go in and. And just rip it back. Right? Like, before it gets settled back there. So now I'm like, taking this young child. I'm like, taking his teeth.
Dave Ogleton
Your fingers ripping it back.
Dylan Dreyer
They're like, we still have two more days here. What do we do? Do we continue on with this vacation and hope his teeth are fine when we get back? And somehow his teeth ended up growing back in place. I don't understand how, but I remember thinking, like, do I have to scrub the blood out of the carpet before I leave? Or can I just shut the door
Dave Ogleton
and be like, I feel you on that one.
Dylan Dreyer
Yeah. Do you have anything that sticks out to you as something you've done that might be a controversial parenting decision, but you stand by?
Dave Ogleton
I don't know if it's controversial, but just making your kids eat what you make for dinner. And a lot of people are just like, well, you should. You know, there's so many families that I know that literally cater to each kid and what they want. I'm like, guys, it's Applebee's. Like, you're. We. We are going to make a dinner, and if you don't like it, you don't eat. That is what it is. And we always think you can go find something else that you can make. Because Jackie, I mean, it really is, like, what it is. And I'm like, even down to, like, the youngest. We're like, we're not going to make you a grilled cheese just because you don't like the chicken, broccoli and rice that we made for you. Like that. It's a healthy meal.
Dylan Dreyer
It's my go to, by the way, is chicken, broccoli and rice.
Dave Ogleton
It's so easy. Yeah. And like, Jackie does the majority of the cooking for dinner. So, like, it's annoying when, like, she'll spend time making a dinner. And like, our kids palates are apparently so refined that they know they're not going to like the food before they even eat it, isn't it?
Dylan Dreyer
Amazing.
Dave Ogleton
It's. It's insane, right?
Dylan Dreyer
I don't like that.
Dave Ogleton
Yeah, there you go.
Dylan Dreyer
I don't like that. You've never tried it?
Dave Ogleton
Never. You've never even tasted this before? And you're telling me you don't like it? Like, it just happened last night? Night. It was just like tortellini and, like, some sauce. I forget what it was. And the youngest is sitting there, just. I walk in the room and he's staring at this thing like it's slugs in a bowl. And he was like.
Dylan Dreyer
And it's like, it's just noodles and cheese.
Dave Ogleton
I'm like, dude, it's pasta. You eat pasta every day. And he's just.
Dylan Dreyer
I don't even like this.
Dave Ogleton
And I'm like, oh, my God. We're trying our best not to laugh. And I'm just like.
Dylan Dreyer
He's like, I don't know what that is. And I just don't like it.
Dave Ogleton
And I'm like, okay, well, you can choose to eat it or not. And if you don't want it. See, I'm getting myself worked up right now. And it's like, why? But it's like, you can either eat it now or you can be hungry. It's totally up to you. And I'm like, you already didn't eat your lunch earlier today, so it's like, do you want to be even more hungry? And I'll tell them, like, they won't eat it. And they're like, can I get a snack?
Dylan Dreyer
No, the snack. I can't. No, I can't handle the snack thing.
Dave Ogleton
No.
Dylan Dreyer
My kids have started saying, you know, they have a belly ache. And I'm like, like, a belly ache does not get you out of eating. Right? Like, if you have a belly ache, you can still eat and still have the belly ache afterwards. Right? But you need to eat this. And then I've so often said, this is the last chance to eat food today. Okay? And we eat early. We eat at, like, 5:00'. Clock. I'm like, you are not getting any more food today if you don't eat this. So that's what we're doing, right? Like, but then, you know, when they ask for a banana later, I can't. I can't really fight. It's a banana.
Dave Ogleton
I don't have to make that. I don't have to start the stove for it.
Dylan Dreyer
Or, like, a yogurt pouch, like, I could take. You know, that's kind of healthy.
Dave Ogleton
Yeah.
Dylan Dreyer
So they know my, you know, the jig is up.
Dave Ogleton
But yeah, they figured you out.
Dylan Dreyer
Yeah, they certainly have. Dave, this has been so much fun. Like, I love talking with you. Thank you so much for, for hanging out with us.
Dave Ogleton
Anytime.
Dylan Dreyer
Well, that's gonna do it for this episode of Parenting Before Kids versus How We Parent now that we have Kids. I really am so curious to hear if your parenting style has changed now that you have kids. So be sure to comment and let me know. I just want to hear what you guys are going through. I know I certainly had this vision that I was going to be this strict parent and I was going to make all the rules and my kids were going to follow all my rules no matter what, and they had to respect me as a parent. But now that I have those three little kids, you know, I let them dictate a few things now and then. You know, trust your gut. Just go with it. You know best. You're their parent and your kid is going to trust you no matter what. So don't forget to like and subscribe. We are going to drop a new episode every week and be sure to comment below or message me. Dylan Dreyer, NBC. And be sure to follow TODAY parents for more parenting content. Have a good one. Bye. Bye. This episode was produced by Anne Lagomayo. Rachel Paula Abramson is our parenting reporter. Our senior producer is Tyree Noble. It was edited by Ali Strain. Our audio engineer is Joe Plord. Our head of audio production is Jessica Fenton. Ashley Domagola is our production manager. Sadie Bass is our supervising producer. Ariana Davis is the executive editor of the Today show. And Ashley Kodiani is the vice president of content strategy. I'm Dylan Dreier and this has been the Parent Chat, a production of the Today Show. See you next week.
Dave Ogleton
And Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual, even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.
Dylan Dreyer
Hey, everyone. Check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?
Dave Ogleton
Oh, no. We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.
Dylan Dreyer
Yeah, the bird looks out of your league anyways.
Dave Ogleton
Only pay for what you need@liberty mutual.com Liberty.
Dylan Dreyer
Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.
Date: April 9, 2026
Host: Dylan Dreyer
Guest: Dave Ogleton (“FitDadCEO”)
This episode delves into the realities versus expectations of parenting, with a focus on the chaos, compromise, and humor that come from raising kids. Dylan Dreyer, a mom of three, welcomes Dave Ogleton—known as FitDadCEO online, father of six—for a candid and comical conversation about the unpredictable, relatable, and messy sides of modern family life. Together, they discuss evolving parenting styles, handling criticism, sibling dynamics, the art of strategic complaining, and why “cherishing every moment” might be overrated.
Raising Six Kids: Everyday Chaos:
Patience & Consistency (or Lack Thereof):
Mood Swings and Sibling Dynamics:
Parenting Rules Are Made to Be Broken:
Strictness and Empty Threats:
Choosing Battles and Parental Self-Doubt:
Honest Take on “Cherish the Chaos”:
Battle Scars and Lack of Sympathy:
The vibe is warm, humorous, and deeply relatable—peppered with deadpan honesty, laughter, and story-sharing. Both Dylan and Dave drop the facade of “perfect parenting,” inviting listeners to embrace the unpredictable joy, daily annoyances, and necessary venting that comes with the role. Whether it’s about standing their ground over dinner, accepting that they’ll never win every power struggle, or finding humor in the chaos, their solidarity is clear: every parent is just figuring it out.
Missed the episode?
If you sometimes wonder if everyone else has it more together, this episode will reassure you that the “mess” is universal—and that a little complaining may indeed be part of the joy.
Favorite Quote:
“Complaining is part of the joy of parenting.” —Dylan Dreyer (10:29)