I’m Paul Goodlow, the Weather Channel Meteorologist, and I’m a Parent.

As veteran meteorologist Paul Goodlow, covering snowstorms, floods, fires and hurricanes, here are the footage of him trying to stay upright during his coverage of Hurricane Florence in North Carolina. Today he co-hosts Weekend Recharge on The Weather Channel. That’s how his parents have it.

Name: Paul Goodlow. Location: Atlanta, Georgia. Job: a filming meteorologist for the Weather Channel. Family: wife Rebecca and sons PJ (16) and Austin (13).

Tell us about your morning routine.

If I’m working, I usually try to work out for an hour at the gym and then go to work. If I’m not working that day, I usually drop one of my sons to school and then go to the gym.

How much outside help do you get as a parent? Who or what cannot you live without?

My wife was the mainstay of the family, and there is no doubt that she works more as a housekeeper than I do. When the boys were young, we had a nanny who helped them 4-5 days a week. When boys were babies, we couldn’t live without a Baby Einstein video. They gave us 25 to 30 minutes non-stop to shower or make phone calls. Every parent needs a plan for things like this.

What gadgets, apps, charts, or tools do you rely on?

I really like the Xfinity xFi app . I can restrict Wi-Fi access and restrict bedtime so kids have to put their devices down and go to bed, or maybe even grab a book. I also love that we have daily access to their school assignments and grades. This keeps everyone up to date on homework and other planned projects.

Are your kids interested in the weather?

My children know about the weather in the sense that they know what to do if they see lightning or hear thunder, but this is roughly the degree of their interest in it. I talked to both of their classes about what I do for a living, but did not involve them in my work.

How can parents help their children get involved in the natural world around them?

Take everyone outside! National parks are a great place to start. Both of my boys completed the Young Ranger program at Yellowstone National Park. It sounds official, but it’s actually not that hard for kids and it’s fun for all ages. When my boys took the program, they received a patch for every level they passed.

How do you unpack?

I am unpacking in a couple of ways. Exercise is one way, especially when I am on the road covering a storm. Traveling to these areas is sometimes stressful: you have a disrupted sleep schedule, you don’t eat well, you don’t know when to get home, and sometimes you can lose energy for several days, especially during a hurricane. So being able to exercise can help my body feel good at least for a short time. I’m also a fan of the binge watching here and there. And finally, I decompress on vacation. My wife and I take at least one vacation a year. For us, a vacation is a multi-day trip without children. If you include the kids, it’s not a vacation anymore – we just call it a trip.

What are you most proud of as a parent?

One was when my sons surprised my father-in-law by introducing him at an event he attended – and it was a pretty full audience! None of the kids had performed in public before, so both were nervous. I worked with them to improve their comfort and delivery, and when the time was right, they did it! The father-in-law was delighted.

What’s your favorite family ritual?

Captain America on Tuesdays. My sons are big fans of Marvel and every Tuesday we usually all wear Captain America T-shirts. Even when this last Christmas was on a Tuesday, we wore Captain America shirts that had shields in the shape of a Christmas tree.

Is there something that your parents did that you would like to pass on to your children?

My parents had a good work ethic and I would like to pass that on to my children. They both have household chores for which they are responsible.

Has anyone ever given you parenting advice that you really liked?

We met a retiring pediatrician in St. John’s while expecting our first child. He told us that adults control everything a child does, except for two things: eating and going to the toilet. Once the little ones realize that they are in control of these two things, they will try to drive you crazy. It was difficult, but when it came to potty training, we just had to wait for them to be ready.

What’s the hardest part about being a parent?

Not knowing what the future holds for your children. You try to tune your children into all the opportunities in life, but they don’t always take advantage of them. When they are young, you choose their schools, but as they get older, you see them start making their own decisions that can affect them for the rest of their lives. You hear that some of their peers do this or that, or are recognized for certain accomplishments, but you really can’t get carried away with it. This is difficult because most parents argue a little about their children. But in the end, I want my children to be good people. If they are good people, they will find a way to lead a good life in whatever direction they choose to live in. This is easier said than done, I know.

What’s your favorite part of the day?

Late in the evening when everyone is at home. Children make home their home. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’ll miss it when they go to college.

The only thing I would like to say to other parents:

While thousands of books have been written about parenting, there is no manual written for your specific child. Every child is different, so disappointment is inevitable. They are the greatest joy in life and the greatest concern, combined in one. Tell your children that you love them and know that they won’t really understand what you mean until they have children of their own.