Requests advice from all the parents out there

[melioris]

Ok, here is the background you need to know to offer advice- I play NL, usually 2 $50 tables at once. Up to now I have been happy with the rate at which my bankroll has grown. Three weeks ago my wife gave birth, our second kid. I thought I had the perfect plan, as I have been taking the first night shift with the little guy and playing some poker after he falls asleep. He is a good sleeper and generally will stay asleep if rocked, so I figured what the hell, I got to stay awake to rock him anyway, and he is sleeping so I am not denying him my attention….

But the problem is that my bankroll has dropped 10% over these three weeks. I knew it wasn't going well, but I didn't realized how bad it was going. Clearly this is not some swing, I have leaks that I need to plug and can't give the time to fix them yet. So I am taking some time off. My questions for all you parents, particularly the dads, is how much time did you take off after a child was born?

[BrianSwa]

good thread,

after my 1st son was born I wasnt playing poker at all, when Gavin my 2nd son was born I really didnt take time off but I did cut down on play alot. I usually would just play while he slept. The only thing is you really cant play tornies because you never know when he will wake up. Right now your wife is probolly wiped out from child birth so really you cant play too much and Im guessing your full attention isnt on the game.

I say take couple weeks off until things get less crazy around your house until you jump back into it. After that try to get a schedule down that is fair to your wife and yourself and stick to it. Maybe like 2 hours a night then 1 torney during your day off or something like that.

[Reel Deal]

When my kids were born on-line poker was either non-existant or just in its infancy. LOL... I'm old.

[chrisash]

IM A mom of 2 i have a 2 year old boy and a 4 year old girl fixing to be 5 on new years eve.I love to play poker but when they are awake i find it very hard to concentrate on my game.So I play alot of fake chips to practice while they are awake ....my daughter likes to watch and tells me what i got,i think its a good learning program for her lol.Shes in preK right now so the # and pairs and 3 of a kinds is what she calls out that i have......I havent quite tought her the full concept of the game but in due time she will be the next WSOP CHAMP lol.I started playing at age 12 with my Mom.Still got some kinks i need to work though.

Good luck with your new son .......and take a break on real chips when hes awake and out of your hands.

[melioris]

Thanks for the help. I agree that it is just more realistic for me to take some time away from the online tables right now. Once life returns to some kind of routine, then I can see how I can fit poker in. In the grand scheme of things, I guess it is always better to error on the side of not enough time with poker and more time with the family than it is to error the other way. My poker cravings will have to be satiated by forum reading and the such.

And BrianSwa, thanks for sending some love out to a new guy. I was reluctant to post a thread on this topic as I was unsure how it would be received.

[BrianSwa]

no problem at all this is a great community with alot of really cool people at it, I know at 1st it seems kinda scary here but once you get used to it then its like a second home. Glad to have you here and enjoy.