Stay at home dad advice
- Thread starter Pasteton
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I was somewhat under-employed while my kids were in that age range (perk/curse of self-employment). I just played games at my desk with the kids napping in a front-mounted carrier. (Invest in a good one. It'll save your back.) The little ones are hard to ignore while they're awake and god help you when they start being mobile, but until 18 months you get a half day of naps anyway.
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Daezuel
Potato del Grande
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It's a computer you can plug in anything you want into it. (With a hub anyways)
That said most of the gaming I'm doing is retro turned based jrpgs and the like.
Easy to pick up and put down for a few minutes here or there.
If I'm going to play a newer triple A game it's going to be on my pc or ps5 when the brat is sleeping.
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I did some of this. Really make the most of the time while the kid is sleeping. Make that time for yourself, you'll find you won't resent the time when they're awake and demanding of your attention so much. Yeah, that sounds shitty, but it is easy to start to resent it if you're making them the focus 24/7. Everyone needs a break, just make sure you get yours.
And other than that, spend as much time with him (her?) as you can. You won't believe how fast it goes, how fast you can fall into bad patterns, and how much you can come to regret that. Love on your kids.
And other than that, spend as much time with him (her?) as you can. You won't believe how fast it goes, how fast you can fall into bad patterns, and how much you can come to regret that. Love on your kids.
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Daezuel
Potato del Grande
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Cutlery
Kill All the White People
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I stopped playing video games at that point and picked up the guitar. It was something I could do in 2 minute intervals, it gave me a sense of accomplishment, and it's enriching for the kid. My oldest listens to the same music I do, but doesn't play anything, my youngest is in band at school and wants to create, so it seems to have inspired something.
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Blantons4Ever
Mr. Poopybutthole
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qnd how fast kid can eat 5,000 extra calories when family asleep and make some retards think physics doesnt apply to them
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Tarrant
<Prior Amod>
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Bouncy seat. my kids loved to lay in their bouncy seat next to me while I gamed and watch the colors on the screen, once they were older they would sit in my lap.
Now, I didn't do this often and as
lurkingdirk
said, its really about making the most out of your time while they are sleeping. To this day, my primetime game hours are after 10pm.
Now, I didn't do this often and as
lurkingdirk
said, its really about making the most out of your time while they are sleeping. To this day, my primetime game hours are after 10pm.- 2
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Results may vary.
You'll have to experiment. My son hated the bouncy seat. It was the most stimulating little Einstein's thing we could find and he wouldn't have it. My daughter on the other hand absolutely loved that thing. They were the opposite for carriers. My daughter wanted the freedom to move on her own and destroy anything in her path. My son, our snuggler, would chill and fall asleep up against any warm body that would hold him.
You'll have to experiment. My son hated the bouncy seat. It was the most stimulating little Einstein's thing we could find and he wouldn't have it. My daughter on the other hand absolutely loved that thing. They were the opposite for carriers. My daughter wanted the freedom to move on her own and destroy anything in her path. My son, our snuggler, would chill and fall asleep up against any warm body that would hold him.
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Hopefully this update is timely.
My youngest grandson is 26 months, his parents live with us and have since he was born. There's too much explaining but basically as they are getting on their feet and working full time I'm the primary caregiver for significant portions of time.
My usual advice is to moms who seem easily wore out and for them it's just to sleep when the kid sleeps. For you I'd say, and this is from personal experience, get the kid outside and active every day on a schedule. On bad weather days take them somewhere to run. This will enable a reliable sleep schedule including naps during which you can game. There's a lot of expansion from here but education (numbers, letters, animals, plants, insects, machines, etc) fits into this to keep them interested. Your kid is something like 16 months now and that is prime time to expose them to things you want them interested in, whatever that is. For example I took him to a local airfield that has an open house once a week with WW2 planes and vehicles. Not because of the history so much as the mechanical nature of them. He loves mechanical stuff now. Being there when he develops interests is also incredibly bonding.
My youngest grandson is 26 months, his parents live with us and have since he was born. There's too much explaining but basically as they are getting on their feet and working full time I'm the primary caregiver for significant portions of time.
My usual advice is to moms who seem easily wore out and for them it's just to sleep when the kid sleeps. For you I'd say, and this is from personal experience, get the kid outside and active every day on a schedule. On bad weather days take them somewhere to run. This will enable a reliable sleep schedule including naps during which you can game. There's a lot of expansion from here but education (numbers, letters, animals, plants, insects, machines, etc) fits into this to keep them interested. Your kid is something like 16 months now and that is prime time to expose them to things you want them interested in, whatever that is. For example I took him to a local airfield that has an open house once a week with WW2 planes and vehicles. Not because of the history so much as the mechanical nature of them. He loves mechanical stuff now. Being there when he develops interests is also incredibly bonding.
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Pasteton
Blackwing Lair Raider
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Thanks, she’s actually 13 and half months now and not just walking but sometimes breaking into a sprint and then taking a tumble ; lots of head bumps to the point I’m worried she’s gonna mess something up in there. Her mom almost went pro in tennis so I have high hopes for her in sports, already been having her watch while i shoot bball but there’s a good chance watching me is just going to make her worse, though she seems to enjoy it . Maybe I’ll try taking her to tennis just to see people play and see how that goes.
the gaming just isn’t possible, I actually got a steam deck but I mostly end up using it when I’m at gym on a bike or something. There’s just no way to do any productive gaming while trying to watch her, she’s just wayyyyy too quick
the gaming just isn’t possible, I actually got a steam deck but I mostly end up using it when I’m at gym on a bike or something. There’s just no way to do any productive gaming while trying to watch her, she’s just wayyyyy too quick
Hateyou
Not Great, Not Terrible
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You need to just shelve gaming when she is awake and give her your full attention. This phase will only last for a few years and “productive” gaming isn’t really a thing. These years will fly by and you don’t get them back. Focus on them and put your hobby off for a bit. You will both be better off for it. Game for 30-60 minutes at night if you really can’t put it down for a few years.
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Pasteton
Blackwing Lair Raider
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I’ve been trying to do this myself. Problem is I haven’t touched my guitar in over a decade. could mostly recall the Beatles stuff since that was my go to for trying to get laid in college, but my kid seemed to lose interest quickly. She did seem to like poison though only thing I could play was every rose has its thorn which is two chords lol. I wanted to play some Alice In Chains , don’t follow is such a beautiful piece but my wife complaining it’s lyrics too negative, meh
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I've already said this, but I will reiterate: time with your kids is precious and so important. Making some time for yourself is just as important. If your life is 100% your children, part of you disappears. And resentment isn't far behind. I'm not talking about 4 hour blocks of gaming time, but once she's in bed, play a bit. Or pick up your guitar and play for fun. Keep hobbies going. I have known several people who did 100% of their time with their kids (some even to the point of sleeping with them when they slept). Once the kids are all teenagers and start having their own lives these parents are lost, and can even feel hurt when the kids start wanting to do things without mom or dad.
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