I’m Ken Jennings, Author and Advocate for Jeopardy, and I’m a Parent.
Ken Jennings rose to fame the easy way – with an unprecedented 74-game winning streak on Jeopardy worth $ 2.52 million. Since that era of 2004, the affable quiz master has become one of the top podcasts , became a favorite Twitter hero , wrote several books (including the recently released Planet Funny: How Comedy Took Over Our Culture ) and went on to raise two children alongside his wife, Mindy. That’s how his parents have it.
Name: Ken Jennings Place of residence: Seattle Job: Writer and former game show contestant Family: Mindy and I have two children, Dylan (15) and Keith (11)
Tell us a little about your family and your career. Was life mostly according to plan or were there any surprises?
The children were planned. (Well, conceptions were planned. Since then, everything has been completely free.) My career change was the biggest surprise. I was a perfectly happy suburban dad and computer programmer in 2004 when I turned thirty. I didn’t expect to win at Jeopardy! six months in a row and start a new career as a writer and professional know-it-all.
Tell us about your morning routine. What are your best tricks to get out the door?
I work from home most of the time, but I make sure to come up with a daily errand to get me out of my chair once a day, even if it’s just a walk to the post office. I mostly live the lifestyle of your 85 year old grandfather.
How much outside help do you get as a parent? Without anyone or without which you can not live?
With two kids and two of us and two fairly flexible work schedules, we can cover most of the bases on our own. But behind the wheel! Even with two children, we always carry someone somewhere. Carpools save lives. It got to the point where I won’t let the kids start any new activity if we can’t find other immediate parents to run the carpool with.
What gadgets, apps, charts, or tools do you rely on?
Are there gadgets and apps that will educate my children for me? Sounds fantastic. We do use Find My Friends to keep track of kids as they seem initially unable to answer phone calls or text messages in a timely manner.
Has the way you work changed the way you become a parent?
My home office is right outside the front door, so as soon as the kids return from school, they rush in. I thought about locking the door, but in the end I just resigned myself to the disaster. I work as fast as I can, so I can basically finish the diary before the silence ends.
How do you unpack?
We have a pretty strict rule that kids should be in their rooms around 8:30 or 9. They don’t need to sleep, but the devices stay connected downstairs, so they really need to do something boring like reading a book. That gives Mindy and me some kid-free hours to do a movie or the next couple of episodes of whatever show we watch.
What are you most proud of as a parent?
I like to see children feel confident that they are spreading their wings a little. When we were in New York a couple of years ago, they both really wanted to play Pokemon Go in Central Park one night, but Mindy and I made a reservation for dinner. We decided to let them go on their own and have a little adventure. They could not have been happier or prettier about this, nor were they kidnapped or died.
What moment are you least proud of?
100% connection for every time they spill water or break a glass in a restaurant.
What do you want your child to learn from your example?
Hope every person they meet deserves decency and respect. And also load the dishwasher the way I load it, not the way their mother does.
What are your favorite funny / weird / special family rituals?
Whenever someone in the film says the title of the film out loud, we always give a short applause (and quietly if we’re in a movie theater). Say it didn’t work in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle , but a movie like Coco can be violent.
Has anyone ever given you parenting advice that you really liked?
All the cliches that “the days are long and the years are short” are absolutely true. You are not going to be a father of small children for a very long time, relatively speaking. Live fast. Go to the park. Buy them ice cream.
What’s the hardest part about being a parent?
You will have to keep an eye on all the new youth slang and Internet memes to annoy your kids in front of their friends.
What’s your favorite part of the day?
4:20, baby! ;););) This usually happens when the UPS guy brings any parcels from Amazon.
Any tips on how to teach your child to be funny?
As far as I understand, this cannot be missed .
What advice would you give to all parents?
Read to the children every night. This is not just a relaxation ritual before bed; it will change their lives.
The only thing I would like to say to other parents who are pursuing a career:
If possible, try to win 74 times on the game show.