Comments on: The King of Side-Jobs: Bad Dad http://spaceagewasteland.com/the-king-of-side-jobs-bad-dad/ technology where little exists... hacking the simple life Sat, 11 Sep 2010 01:04:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.2 By: Seth http://spaceagewasteland.com/the-king-of-side-jobs-bad-dad/#comment-502 Seth Mon, 27 Mar 2006 19:01:10 +0000 http://spaceagewasteland.com/the-king-of-side-jobs-bad-dad/#comment-502 If there's one thing you're not, it's a "bad dad." Those who know you wel know that you have come to this place in your life via a search for happiness. It is obvious that you have come very close to the end of your journey. Your children will certainly remember the dad that they have now: happy, goal-driven, and productive. As opposed to the dad that they were born to: miserable, downtrodden, and tired. You are on the right path. On the other hand, my dad worked out of town from 6 am to 7:30 pm when I was young, so he missed a lot of time with me and my brother. You are certainly correct that the time he lost with us had a profound effect on our relationship with him. However, you are in a different situation in that you do a lot of your work from home. I understand that you are easily distracted and you need structure to reach full productivity. But, how about this for a suggestion: Could you create a structure like you had in elementary school? You did alright with recess, didn't you? Maybe you could take a 10/15 minute break every hour or two. Read a book...play kitchen...etc. Be sure to set a timer and it won't take long until your kids look forward to "dad's recess." Also, maybe the recess that occurs during nap time should be set aside for conversation/relaxation with your wife. Your drive to "check things off" could be very helpful with this in that you will certainly want to check something off before the next recess. I hope this suggestion at least helps spur your thoughts. Personally, I'm impressed that you can get any work done at home with those wonderful kids running around! If there’s one thing you’re not, it’s a “bad dad.” Those who know you wel know that you have come to this place in your life via a search for happiness. It is obvious that you have come very close to the end of your journey. Your children will certainly remember the dad that they have now: happy, goal-driven, and productive. As opposed to the dad that they were born to: miserable, downtrodden, and tired. You are on the right path.

On the other hand, my dad worked out of town from 6 am to 7:30 pm when I was young, so he missed a lot of time with me and my brother. You are certainly correct that the time he lost with us had a profound effect on our relationship with him. However, you are in a different situation in that you do a lot of your work from home. I understand that you are easily distracted and you need structure to reach full productivity. But, how about this for a suggestion: Could you create a structure like you had in elementary school? You did alright with recess, didn’t you? Maybe you could take a 10/15 minute break every hour or two. Read a book…play kitchen…etc. Be sure to set a timer and it won’t take long until your kids look forward to “dad’s recess.” Also, maybe the recess that occurs during nap time should be set aside for conversation/relaxation with your wife. Your drive to “check things off” could be very helpful with this in that you will certainly want to check something off before the next recess. I hope this suggestion at least helps spur your thoughts. Personally, I’m impressed that you can get any work done at home with those wonderful kids running around!

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