The Father
About the Author

The Father (45)

Designer, developer & parent based in Norway


I've been building digital products and startups since 2002. My background spans software development, UX design (I hold a master's degree), industrial design, and graphic design. But the role that matters most for this blog: I've been a parent since 2011.

I'm happily divorced with a wonderful daughter born that year. My ex-wife, daughter, and I still have tacos together sometimes—co-parenting done right. In 2019, I married again. My wife has a daughter born in 2014, so we're navigating blended family life together, with all its organizational challenges.

In 2017, I hit the wall. Years of overwork caught up with me, and I had to step back and rebuild my life from scratch. I went deep into mindfulness and meditation practice, read tons of books about how to live a balanced life, and slowly pieced everything back together. That experience fundamentally changed how I think about systems, routines, and what actually matters in daily life.

Why we built Homie: Both my daughter and I have ADHD. My wife was struggling to help her daughter succeed without micro-managing her. I wanted to help and started imagining a family display with routine checklists. What started as a two-week design sprint turned into something our whole family uses every day.

We've tried every app, every method, every approach. Most tools were either too complicated, too distracting, or designed for corporate productivity rather than family life. Homie is the end result of that journey—built with my family as the first (and most demanding) beta testers. My sister, who helps our elderly parents (85+83) organize their days, has been our world's #1 beta tester from day one.

I write about what I've learned: the systems that actually work, the mistakes we made along the way, and the principles behind building calm, functional family routines. No fluff, no engagement hacks—just practical ideas from someone who lives this every day.

Background

  • 20+ years building digital products and startups
  • Master's degree in UX and Industrial Design
  • Parent since 2011, stepparent since 2019
  • Based in Norway

Articles by The Father

Calm Technology: The Counter-Movement to Big Tech's Attention EconomyThe Essentials
Philosophy

Calm Technology: The Counter-Movement to Big Tech's Attention Economy

While Big Tech designs products to maximize your screen time, a growing movement is building technology that respects your attention. Here's what Calm Technology is—and why it matters for families.

Dec 11, 2025·9 min read

Why Writing Things Down Actually Reduces Stress (The Science)The Essentials
Productivity

Why Writing Things Down Actually Reduces Stress (The Science)

Your brain doesn't know what day it is. Here's the psychology behind why getting tasks out of your head and into a system you trust can dramatically reduce your stress.

Dec 9, 2025·7 min read

Why Family Organization Matters (And Why Most Apps Fail)The Essentials
Family Life

Why Family Organization Matters (And Why Most Apps Fail)

A structured family life isn't about rigidity—it's about creating the freedom for everyone to thrive. Here's why most family apps miss the point.

Dec 8, 2025·6 min read

Morning Routines That Actually Work for Families
Routines

Morning Routines That Actually Work for Families

The secret to calm mornings isn't waking up earlier—it's building systems that run without you. Here's how to create routines your kids will actually follow.

Dec 2, 2025·7 min read

Ending the Screen Time Battle: A Family Strategy Guide
Digital Wellness

Ending the Screen Time Battle: A Family Strategy Guide

The screen time debate misses the point. The real question isn't how many minutes—it's what role technology plays in your family's life.

Nov 24, 2025·8 min read

Teaching Kids Responsibility (Without Constant Reminding)
Parenting

Teaching Kids Responsibility (Without Constant Reminding)

The key to raising responsible kids isn't reminding them more—it's building systems that let them remember themselves.

Nov 17, 2025·7 min read

The Complete Guide to Syncing Your Family Calendar
Calendars

The Complete Guide to Syncing Your Family Calendar

Stop asking 'what time is soccer?' The family calendar should be a single source of truth everyone can see—here's how to actually make that happen.

Nov 10, 2025·6 min read