There's only one person in the entire world who could pee on me and make it funny, and that is my infant son. I'm willing to bet that if any of you suddenly took it in your head to urinate on my shirt, I would react in a sharply different way.
If you change my diaper for me, I *promise* I won't pee on your shirt. As a grown adult I can appreciate the effort you'd be putting forward.
I generated a virtual world in the toilet bowl this morning.
-- Podunk on the PS3's mystical, magical abilities
This is sobering stuff, Elysium. For me the fantasy of the stay-at-home-dad is filled with notions of free time, gaming, strollering in the park exhibiting the little poop golem to attractive women, and drinking beer. A can of beer can teach a child so much about shapes, colors, and the properties of fluids! And if you drink a few of them, you can build a pyramid!
Your article is eye-opening, but I'm not quite ready to give up my fantasy. Maybe I'll just build an emu fence.
This is sobering stuff, Elysium. For me the fantasy of the stay-at-home-dad is filled with notions of free time, gaming, strollering in the park exhibiting the little poop golem to attractive women, and drinking beer.
I had actually been tempted to start a forum topic about parenting experiences, since I feel pretty overwhlemed right about now with how damn hard this job is. I was afraid it would come off as too self-serving, so thanks for opening up the topic. A huge Congrats to Griffon...no matter how hard it is I still look forward to the next time we get to celebrate a new baby...it really doesn't get any better.
The bold points you make in the article are right-on, but I especially appreciate #3, about guilt. That was something I was totally unprepared for. I knew A) babies were a lot of work, and I knew B) they required huge sacrifice, and I knew C) they couldn't be reasoned with, but I didn't know that when A, B, and C were all taken care of, I would still feel the need to do more, to teach more, and to focus more on them. I guess in the back of my mind I thought that would be free time to try and approiximate my lifestyle pre-kids. Of course the reality, like you point out, is pretty different. Even if you do get that free time, you need to commit mentally to making it time for "you". And that comes with a lot of guilt when you know darned well that it could be time for "them". What I've discovered, and still struggle with, is the fact that making time for you will make you a better parent and a better husband.
It is so hard when you feel like you're setting a bad example (and anyone who has ever turned a bouncy seat at just the right angle so your baby can't see the violent FPS you're playing knows what I mean), but the fact is giving yourself 15 minutes to recharge your batteries will remind you that in fact you still have some level of control over your life, no matter how infrequent you can excercise it. It will make you appreciate what you have and be a more positive presence when you're really needed. I say all this and still feel, every day, that I'm not doing enough.
It's funny the things your mind will do when that kind of stress is placed on it. Here's a gaming example: My first son was born in Feb. 2002. My second son was born in July 2003. (Before you say anything, yes I know about birth control...did you guys know it's only 95% effective!?). As the birth of Jasper, our second, was approaching I found myself in a little bit of a crisis -- I was terrified of what life was going to be like with two babies. Having absolutely no interest in MMORPGs, I ran out and bought Star Wars Galaxies the first day it came out. I played it until he was born on 7/22 and then quit because of course I had no time anymore. Which was just as well because it blows. Anyway, I realize in hindsight that trying to play a MMO was my way of trying to convince myself that I had that time for that kind of timesink. Of course, I totally don't have the time, but I was absolutely in denial. I had never tried an MMO before, and as soon as my life was about to get totally and utterly insane I ran out and bought the most time-consuming game I could find. Totally subconscious.
Phew. All that aside, thanks again for the great article.
PS: My boys just came and visited me at work and it totally made my day.
I'm taking notes, as I will hopefully be joining the fold within the year. I've been delaying it for as long as I can, but delaying the wife's biological clock is like putting off paying your taxes. Eventually you have to give up some of your assets.
My bubble is burst, as well. I envisioned playing games in my big comfy recliner, with the little squirt napping on my lap, oblivious to the world around him. Works for my cat.
Hi all. First time reader, first time poster. Woo!
Anyway, as the first-time gamer/parent of a 2-month old this was absolutely the best read I've had since becoming a parent. Since the competition are mostly all books on parenting, Al Franken's last book and salon.com, you can decide where the bar is set on that. Regardless, the car-horn analogy will be used early and often in the office from now on.
Now, if only I could find a way to make the little one sleep long enough for her mother and I to resume playing our Diablo 2 characters. We've been just "this" short (my thumb and index finger are currently a quarter-inch apart) from finishing it off at the Nightmare level, but haven't played it since she was born. My gaming sessions these days are primarly 20-minutes of online poker (play money)... quite a far cry from Galactic Civilizations, Neverwinter Nights or Call of Duty.
(But you're right, it is *all* absolutely worth it.)
---Todd
The Nut and the Feisty Weasel: A place where a deranged Ohio State Buckeye and a rabid Michigan Wolverine fan come together... and air grievances.
I have a daughter on the way (Mid June), and I've been pretty convinced that the babies sleeping time will be my gaming time.
Is it really that bad? I mean they sleep a lot right? I'm going to have some time? I really appreciate the personal stories from people, so if anybody else has any input, please jump on in.
Since the competition are mostly all books on parenting
I've given serious consideration to writing a stay-at-home dad's realistic book on parenting. There's so much unrealistic guilt tripping crap in those parenting guides, and almost none of it is aimed at men/guys. I've read more than one parenting book that instructs the moms on how to deal with the fathers in equal part to the children, and some even seem to say 'hey, if dad shows up at all you should count that as a victory!'
Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of invaluable info in there too. And, I'm glad I read about thirty of them, but they rarely get around to talking about what it's like to be you in this new situation, and how you and your baby are going to change together in the real world.
Let me plug my friend Steve Lewis's book, Zen and the Art of Fatherhood. This is a must read for any father or father-to-be, and not just because he's a friend. Steve has seven (yes, that is 7) kids...if that doesn't require a certain appreciation of Zen, I don't know what does. He's a terrific and very funny writer...it will leave you with a new appreciation of your family and maybe some insight on what it means to be a father.
Other peoples babies sleep a lot.
or at least thats my experience.
Everybody we talked to said how their baby slept through the night right away(ours just started after 6 and half months thank god).
We had a slightly different experience
He wanted to eat every 2 hours...and it took him 2 hours to eat....and sometimes he would take a 10 minute cat nap....
But things got better and as Elysium said its worth it.
If it makes you feel any better Griffon, I think the first two weeks are the absolute hardest. About the sixth night I spent ninety percent of my time certain that I'd never be able to do it.
Location: Coming to you from an undisclosed location.
Wednesday, February 11th, 2004 - 5:13pm
I have 2 children both girls 4 and 2 years old and a lot of what Elysium said is true.
They were the reason I no longer play games like EQ. Nothing like being on a big raid or deep in a dungeon when the little one suddenly needed something.
It is also not all bad. I find my time to play when they nap or now that they older after bed time.
The problem I am having now is that they too want to play with the computer. In between games of Candy Land and dressing Barbie Dolls. Really hard to say no when trying to press the share message home.
Oh and did I mention that the 2 year old knows where the power switch is on my pc? Nothing like having the power pulled on you right as you line up that perfect sniper shot.
Children though open up all kinds of gaming options.
Who would have thought helping Blue finish up the art projects for the big show would be so stimulating? That or helping Rollie Pollie Olie find his dog for a path.
Also what else you going to do at 3 in the morning when Jr will only stop yelling by being held on your shoulder all night long? You got it fire up a game and frag somebody!
http://www.kneebouncers.com is great when your infant just wants to mash the keyboard (and it's kinda creepy how they just know that keyboards are something to mash)
Who would have thought helping Blue finish up the art projects for the big show would be so stimulating? That or helping Rollie Pollie Olie find his dog for a path.
The first signs of insanity.
Excellent article my friend, you should write that book so I can read it in a few years. Hoochie and I are married in May but we still have things to do before kids become a reality.
Yeah, it's scary. I'm staring into the abyss right now, and it's staring into me, which I think is kind of a dick move on the abyss's part. - Nyles
The only parenting books I'm really looking at are The New Father and What to Expect First Year. New Father (by Armin Brott) is okay. At least it's written from a dad's perspective... but he meanders a bit at times and it's not what you'd call... deep. What to Expect is certainly mom-centric, but hasn't been as insulting to dads as some of the stuff you must've seen. Anyway, if you do take the leap on writing a book yourself, I'll be in line to read it.
On a side note - finally got in a whopping hour of Diablo 2 last night. Little Anastasia and her mom were wrapped up in a rerun of Charmed so it was time to slay kobolds and burning dead. What a rush!
---Todd
The Nut and the Feisty Weasel: A place where a deranged Ohio State Buckeye and a rabid Michigan Wolverine fan come together... and air grievances.
Now that I've read all of it and the comments, I too must applaud. Fine, insightful article, Elysium. I have a 9 month old daughter who luckily is a good girl... she was one of those blessed children that slept through the night at 6 weeks (sorry phragged ). But damn if you didn't hit it on the head with the 3rd one. I try to get a little PGR2 time in while she's in the Excersaucer right next to me... and I can't do it. She's fine, not shrieking or otherwise annoyed, but I feel -- after, say, a lap around the track -- like an utter heel. Glad to know I'm not the only one .
Great article, Elysium. If I had read this 14 months ago it would have better prepared me for dadhood. Now that my son is on a great sleep schedule (7:00 pm til 9:00 am straight, beat that!) I'm back to a near-semblance of my old gaming schedule. Work, home, play with son, dinner/bath/bed, gaming.
What could be better!
As for pee on the shirt, has anyone here just continued to wear the shirt after it's been sprayed? I used to change shirts, but now I know it'll dry and probably not smell.
"In the wrong hands, samurai swords are dangerous weapons," Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker, Britain
Sheesh! look at all the comments!!! SHould we open a section for GWK's (Gamers With Kids)
heh ... great article .. now wait till they start walking or crawling and discover the wonders of manual dexterity and opening cd cases and exactly how tasty thos shiny lil discs can be. mwahahaha!
I don't like that guilt thingy too ... 's why i'm a totally sleep deprived zombie all the time ... only time I can play my games is after 11:00 pm.
Come home from work and HAVE to play with the 2 boys and once THEY'RE asleep gotta spend some time with the lovely and loving wife to show how much I appreciate who she is. And then once SHE'S asleep .. sneak down to the computer room to mash in some play time (sigh)
And it only compounds the problem that I'm a game/console HO ... so I play PS2, XBox, AND PC games ... how do I divide the time?!?!?! Someone need to hurry up and invent time/space warp bubbles for us Gamers Wih Kids!
The birth of my son was a monumental event- in and of itself and also the impact it had on my gaming lifestyle.
Back in the B.B. (Before Baby) times, but after the A.W. times (After Wife), I could theoretically play a MMORPG because I could fit all of the gaming time sinks into my schedule. I could work out agreements with my wife for 'gaming time' which usually invovled a weekend day alone (with her shopping) and a steady supply of beer. I wasn't bachelor gaming with frothing 20 hour bursts, but I could still try to power game with the best of them.
Now that my son is here I cannot even fathom starting a MMORPG. In fact, I cannot start playing a game unless it has a list of pre-set functions that I need. Things like: Save at any point without respawn, significant achievement or plot evolvement within shortened time frames, pause capabilities, reduced amount of pointless travel, etc...
The Atari generation has grown up and they are strong, dominant force in gaming today. I am surprised there are not more games specifically tailored for those of us with the 'spawn in tow'.
In fact, I cannot start playing a game unless it has a list of pre-set functions that I need. Things like: Save at any point without respawn, significant achievement or plot evolvement within shortened time frames, pause capabilities, reduced amount of pointless travel, etc...
Very true, I also would add, the ability to alt-tab since the wife would be annoyed if I was gaming with all the things that needed to get done.
I just found this site after wondering if i was the only father in the world who would never get any more quality gaming time in. My second son was born a month ago and I have a 3 1/2 year old, they are great. However, I had finally adjusted to the one child, now with 2, I don't think i'll be able to get some game time in. Its taken me weeks to get through W3: Frozen Throne and i'm only on the Scourge missions!!! Forget about BF:42 or other online game. There are so many games to play and so little time.
Now, I shouldn't complain since the family is healthy and I finally have a good, secure job, but it still sucks not to get any game time in. Anyway, thanks for having a forum for GamerDads with no time. BTW, March is going to be REALLY tough with all the new releases, i may need to go to a Tropical Island, nooo that's where Far Cry is....
The only thing I've done to compensate for my lack of gametime was to buy a ton of gaming magazine subscriptions and stay sequestered in the restroom for extended reading sessions.
If I can't play the games, I can at least read about them. Hehe.
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Just wait till E3!
"Rita, do you know why Phish broke up? It's because hippies are dirty, poor-ass loser stanks. Just ignore them and they'll go away." - Wonderella
If you change my diaper for me, I *promise* I won't pee on your shirt. As a grown adult I can appreciate the effort you'd be putting forward.
I generated a virtual world in the toilet bowl this morning.
-- Podunk on the PS3's mystical, magical abilities
How did I know the 'peeing on me' segment would be a highlight for you buffoons?
- Elysium
*Paging Griffon* - *Paging Griffon, are you listening?*
Xbox Live: Kooter06
This is sobering stuff, Elysium. For me the fantasy of the stay-at-home-dad is filled with notions of free time, gaming, strollering in the park exhibiting the little poop golem to attractive women, and drinking beer. A can of beer can teach a child so much about shapes, colors, and the properties of fluids! And if you drink a few of them, you can build a pyramid!
Your article is eye-opening, but I'm not quite ready to give up my fantasy. Maybe I'll just build an emu fence.
HAH! You wouldn't believe how many adults that I know are exactly like this!
Panem et circenses
"You really need to smoke a tree first to appreciate that one." - Sanjuro
*cue exaggerated overly pointed laughing
- Elysium
This is an awesome article, thanks Elysium.
I had actually been tempted to start a forum topic about parenting experiences, since I feel pretty overwhlemed right about now with how damn hard this job is. I was afraid it would come off as too self-serving, so thanks for opening up the topic. A huge Congrats to Griffon...no matter how hard it is I still look forward to the next time we get to celebrate a new baby...it really doesn't get any better.
The bold points you make in the article are right-on, but I especially appreciate #3, about guilt. That was something I was totally unprepared for. I knew A) babies were a lot of work, and I knew B) they required huge sacrifice, and I knew C) they couldn't be reasoned with, but I didn't know that when A, B, and C were all taken care of, I would still feel the need to do more, to teach more, and to focus more on them. I guess in the back of my mind I thought that would be free time to try and approiximate my lifestyle pre-kids. Of course the reality, like you point out, is pretty different. Even if you do get that free time, you need to commit mentally to making it time for "you". And that comes with a lot of guilt when you know darned well that it could be time for "them". What I've discovered, and still struggle with, is the fact that making time for you will make you a better parent and a better husband.
It is so hard when you feel like you're setting a bad example (and anyone who has ever turned a bouncy seat at just the right angle so your baby can't see the violent FPS you're playing knows what I mean), but the fact is giving yourself 15 minutes to recharge your batteries will remind you that in fact you still have some level of control over your life, no matter how infrequent you can excercise it. It will make you appreciate what you have and be a more positive presence when you're really needed. I say all this and still feel, every day, that I'm not doing enough.
It's funny the things your mind will do when that kind of stress is placed on it. Here's a gaming example: My first son was born in Feb. 2002. My second son was born in July 2003. (Before you say anything, yes I know about birth control...did you guys know it's only 95% effective!?). As the birth of Jasper, our second, was approaching I found myself in a little bit of a crisis -- I was terrified of what life was going to be like with two babies. Having absolutely no interest in MMORPGs, I ran out and bought Star Wars Galaxies the first day it came out. I played it until he was born on 7/22 and then quit because of course I had no time anymore. Which was just as well because it blows. Anyway, I realize in hindsight that trying to play a MMO was my way of trying to convince myself that I had that time for that kind of timesink. Of course, I totally don't have the time, but I was absolutely in denial. I had never tried an MMO before, and as soon as my life was about to get totally and utterly insane I ran out and bought the most time-consuming game I could find. Totally subconscious.
Phew. All that aside, thanks again for the great article.
PS: My boys just came and visited me at work and it totally made my day.
Xbox Live: hubbinsd
I'm taking notes, as I will hopefully be joining the fold within the year. I've been delaying it for as long as I can, but delaying the wife's biological clock is like putting off paying your taxes. Eventually you have to give up some of your assets.
My bubble is burst, as well. I envisioned playing games in my big comfy recliner, with the little squirt napping on my lap, oblivious to the world around him. Works for my cat.
Hi all. First time reader, first time poster. Woo!
Anyway, as the first-time gamer/parent of a 2-month old this was absolutely the best read I've had since becoming a parent. Since the competition are mostly all books on parenting, Al Franken's last book and salon.com, you can decide where the bar is set on that. Regardless, the car-horn analogy will be used early and often in the office from now on.
Now, if only I could find a way to make the little one sleep long enough for her mother and I to resume playing our Diablo 2 characters. We've been just "this" short (my thumb and index finger are currently a quarter-inch apart) from finishing it off at the Nightmare level, but haven't played it since she was born. My gaming sessions these days are primarly 20-minutes of online poker (play money)... quite a far cry from Galactic Civilizations, Neverwinter Nights or Call of Duty.
(But you're right, it is *all* absolutely worth it.)
---Todd
The Nut and the Feisty Weasel: A place where a deranged Ohio State Buckeye and a rabid Michigan Wolverine fan come together... and air grievances.
You're scaring me.
I have a daughter on the way (Mid June), and I've been pretty convinced that the babies sleeping time will be my gaming time.
Is it really that bad? I mean they sleep a lot right? I'm going to have some time? I really appreciate the personal stories from people, so if anybody else has any input, please jump on in.
I've given serious consideration to writing a stay-at-home dad's realistic book on parenting. There's so much unrealistic guilt tripping crap in those parenting guides, and almost none of it is aimed at men/guys. I've read more than one parenting book that instructs the moms on how to deal with the fathers in equal part to the children, and some even seem to say 'hey, if dad shows up at all you should count that as a victory!'
Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of invaluable info in there too. And, I'm glad I read about thirty of them, but they rarely get around to talking about what it's like to be you in this new situation, and how you and your baby are going to change together in the real world.
- Elysium
Let me plug my friend Steve Lewis's book, Zen and the Art of Fatherhood. This is a must read for any father or father-to-be, and not just because he's a friend. Steve has seven (yes, that is 7) kids...if that doesn't require a certain appreciation of Zen, I don't know what does. He's a terrific and very funny writer...it will leave you with a new appreciation of your family and maybe some insight on what it means to be a father.
Xbox Live: hubbinsd
Other peoples babies sleep a lot.
or at least thats my experience.
Everybody we talked to said how their baby slept through the night right away(ours just started after 6 and half months thank god).
We had a slightly different experience
He wanted to eat every 2 hours...and it took him 2 hours to eat....and sometimes he would take a 10 minute cat nap....
But things got better and as Elysium said its worth it.
Elysium, write the book, I'll buy it.
Afer a very long night this is just what I needed to read, thank you
!
-Griffon
"White is the new black"
If it makes you feel any better Griffon, I think the first two weeks are the absolute hardest. About the sixth night I spent ninety percent of my time certain that I'd never be able to do it.
- Elysium
I have 2 children both girls 4 and 2 years old and a lot of what Elysium said is true.
They were the reason I no longer play games like EQ. Nothing like being on a big raid or deep in a dungeon when the little one suddenly needed something.
It is also not all bad. I find my time to play when they nap or now that they older after bed time.
The problem I am having now is that they too want to play with the computer. In between games of Candy Land and dressing Barbie Dolls. Really hard to say no when trying to press the share message home.
Oh and did I mention that the 2 year old knows where the power switch is on my pc? Nothing like having the power pulled on you right as you line up that perfect sniper shot.
Children though open up all kinds of gaming options.
Who would have thought helping Blue finish up the art projects for the big show would be so stimulating? That or helping Rollie Pollie Olie find his dog for a path.
Also what else you going to do at 3 in the morning when Jr will only stop yelling by being held on your shoulder all night long? You got it fire up a game and frag somebody!
They are more than worth it though.
http://www.kneebouncers.com is great when your infant just wants to mash the keyboard (and it's kinda creepy how they just know that keyboards are something to mash)
Xbox Live: hubbinsd
The first signs of insanity.
Excellent article my friend, you should write that book so I can read it in a few years. Hoochie and I are married in May but we still have things to do before kids become a reality.
Yeah, it's scary. I'm staring into the abyss right now, and it's staring into me, which I think is kind of a dick move on the abyss's part. - Nyles
Well, that's just a basic fact of biology Certis!
Xbox Live: hubbinsd
Elysium -
The only parenting books I'm really looking at are The New Father and What to Expect First Year. New Father (by Armin Brott) is okay. At least it's written from a dad's perspective... but he meanders a bit at times and it's not what you'd call... deep.
What to Expect is certainly mom-centric, but hasn't been as insulting to dads as some of the stuff you must've seen. Anyway, if you do take the leap on writing a book yourself, I'll be in line to read it.
On a side note - finally got in a whopping hour of Diablo 2 last night. Little Anastasia and her mom were wrapped up in a rerun of Charmed so it was time to slay kobolds and burning dead. What a rush!
---Todd
The Nut and the Feisty Weasel: A place where a deranged Ohio State Buckeye and a rabid Michigan Wolverine fan come together... and air grievances.
Kindly don't write funny sh*t like this when the rest of my family is still asleep.
Rock Band Name Generator!... too funny to merely be coincidence.
"Truly, this mishap has set back the swamp sciences several years." - H.P. Lovesauce, lamenting a tragedy.
Now that I've read all of it and the comments, I too must applaud. Fine, insightful article, Elysium. I have a 9 month old daughter who luckily is a good girl... she was one of those blessed children that slept through the night at 6 weeks (sorry phragged
). But damn if you didn't hit it on the head with the 3rd one. I try to get a little PGR2 time in while she's in the Excersaucer right next to me... and I can't do it. She's fine, not shrieking or otherwise annoyed, but I feel -- after, say, a lap around the track -- like an utter heel. Glad to know I'm not the only one 
.
Rock Band Name Generator!... too funny to merely be coincidence.
"Truly, this mishap has set back the swamp sciences several years." - H.P. Lovesauce, lamenting a tragedy.
Great article, Elysium. If I had read this 14 months ago it would have better prepared me for dadhood. Now that my son is on a great sleep schedule (7:00 pm til 9:00 am straight, beat that!) I'm back to a near-semblance of my old gaming schedule. Work, home, play with son, dinner/bath/bed, gaming.
What could be better!
As for pee on the shirt, has anyone here just continued to wear the shirt after it's been sprayed? I used to change shirts, but now I know it'll dry and probably not smell.
"In the wrong hands, samurai swords are dangerous weapons," Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker, Britain
Sheesh! look at all the comments!!! SHould we open a section for GWK's (Gamers With Kids)
heh ... great article .. now wait till they start walking or crawling and discover the wonders of manual dexterity and opening cd cases and exactly how tasty thos shiny lil discs can be. mwahahaha!
I don't like that guilt thingy too ... 's why i'm a totally sleep deprived zombie all the time ... only time I can play my games is after 11:00 pm.
Come home from work and HAVE to play with the 2 boys and once THEY'RE asleep gotta spend some time with the lovely and loving wife to show how much I appreciate who she is. And then once SHE'S asleep .. sneak down to the computer room to mash in some play time (sigh)
And it only compounds the problem that I'm a game/console HO ... so I play PS2, XBox, AND PC games ... how do I divide the time?!?!?! Someone need to hurry up and invent time/space warp bubbles for us Gamers Wih Kids!
The birth of my son was a monumental event- in and of itself and also the impact it had on my gaming lifestyle.
Back in the B.B. (Before Baby) times, but after the A.W. times (After Wife), I could theoretically play a MMORPG because I could fit all of the gaming time sinks into my schedule. I could work out agreements with my wife for 'gaming time' which usually invovled a weekend day alone (with her shopping) and a steady supply of beer. I wasn't bachelor gaming with frothing 20 hour bursts, but I could still try to power game with the best of them.
Now that my son is here I cannot even fathom starting a MMORPG. In fact, I cannot start playing a game unless it has a list of pre-set functions that I need. Things like: Save at any point without respawn, significant achievement or plot evolvement within shortened time frames, pause capabilities, reduced amount of pointless travel, etc...
The Atari generation has grown up and they are strong, dominant force in gaming today. I am surprised there are not more games specifically tailored for those of us with the 'spawn in tow'.
//Happy first post to me//
TileGrout
Very true, I also would add, the ability to alt-tab since the wife would be annoyed if I was gaming with all the things that needed to get done.
I just found this site after wondering if i was the only father in the world who would never get any more quality gaming time in. My second son was born a month ago and I have a 3 1/2 year old, they are great. However, I had finally adjusted to the one child, now with 2, I don't think i'll be able to get some game time in. Its taken me weeks to get through W3: Frozen Throne and i'm only on the Scourge missions!!! Forget about BF:42 or other online game. There are so many games to play and so little time.
Now, I shouldn't complain since the family is healthy and I finally have a good, secure job, but it still sucks not to get any game time in. Anyway, thanks for having a forum for GamerDads with no time. BTW, March is going to be REALLY tough with all the new releases, i may need to go to a Tropical Island, nooo that's where Far Cry is....
The only thing I've done to compensate for my lack of gametime was to buy a ton of gaming magazine subscriptions and stay sequestered in the restroom for extended reading sessions.
If I can't play the games, I can at least read about them. Hehe.
TileGrout