Time fathers spend with their kids

seguidordejesus · #1 10-07-2010, 07:08 PM

In the constant search for balance and in my not-so-unique situation of being the father of a small child (wow, some of you guys have known me since my community college days - whoa), I am trying to find the right mix between work and leisure.

I work a full-time job but am also developing alternative sources of revenue outside of that. However, this takes away from "family time" and does cause friction from time to time within the members of my marriage

I'd say in general I have about 3 hours (between 5-8 pm) to spend with my daughter. I want to interact with her, and truly enjoy it, but would like to find out how much time that dads, specifically, actually spend with their kids per day, and whether this is dedicated time, like 100% dedicated to that, or that you are simply available for them while doing some other activity, like rolling cigars or making meth, for example, so that they can choose to interact or do something else.

I hope this all makes sense. I'm trying to find a good balance while retaining my sanity. Wives/mothers, feel free to comment, but I'm specifically asking about the time a father spends with his kids.

Thanks to all!

seguidordejesus · #2 10-08-2010, 10:24 AM

Anyone?

coadie · #3 10-08-2010, 10:31 AM

My wife was stay at home mom. Our 3 kids raised and left home. I curtailed my business travel till the youngest was in High school.
I would bring them in my office and even do business lunches with my kids by taking them out to lunch from school. We lived on a boat from Friday night till Sunday most weekends till they were gone. As a dad, i often had daytime contact with them. Not just evenings.

scotty · #4 10-08-2010, 10:46 AM

I spend a lot of time with my girls I am happy to say. I am also happy to say that they enjoy time with us. That is rare now days, but I also see a difference in time spent when they are grounded from the cell phone or computer, lol. They suddenly have a lot more time for mom and dad. But over all we set aside one to two nights to play a board game, they watch football games with us and we go out to eat some. Mostly, (and my favorite) its in the evenings right after I get home from work they come downstairs and like to unload their day on me. That takes about an hour of talking by the time I hear all their drama and then input my "expert fatherly advice" .lol.

Justin · #5 10-08-2010, 11:19 AM

I spend a lot of time with my kids. I get home from work around 4, and on the week days they go to bed at 8:00-8:30. Then all day on the weekends.

seguidordejesus · #6 10-08-2010, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotty

I spend a lot of time with my girls I am happy to say. I am also happy to say that they enjoy time with us. That is rare now days, but I also see a difference in time spent when they are grounded from the cell phone or computer, lol. They suddenly have a lot more time for mom and dad. But over all we set aside one to two nights to play a board game, they watch football games with us and we go out to eat some. Mostly, (and my favorite) its in the evenings right after I get home from work they come downstairs and like to unload their day on me. That takes about an hour of talking by the time I hear all their drama and then input my "expert fatherly advice" .lol.

Good idea about playing a board game - in this tech age no one thinks about that as much.

seguidordejesus · #7 10-08-2010, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coadie

My wife was stay at home mom. Our 3 kids raised and left home. I curtailed my business travel till the youngest was in High school.
I would bring them in my office and even do business lunches with my kids by taking them out to lunch from school. We lived on a boat from Friday night till Sunday most weekends till they were gone. As a dad, i often had daytime contact with them. Not just evenings.

Any trouble from their teachers about that? Just curious.

Pro31:28 · #8 10-08-2010, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seguidordejesus

In the constant search for balance and in my not-so-unique situation of being the father of a small child (wow, some of you guys have known me since my community college days - whoa), I am trying to find the right mix between work and leisure.

I work a full-time job but am also developing alternative sources of revenue outside of that. However, this takes away from "family time" and does cause friction from time to time within the members of my marriage

I'd say in general I have about 3 hours (between 5-8 pm) to spend with my daughter. I want to interact with her, and truly enjoy it, but would like to find out how much time that dads, specifically, actually spend with their kids per day, and whether this is dedicated time, like 100% dedicated to that, or that you are simply available for them while doing some other activity, like rolling cigars or making meth, for example, so that they can choose to interact or do something else.

I hope this all makes sense. I'm trying to find a good balance while retaining my sanity. Wives/mothers, feel free to comment, but I'm specifically asking about the time a father spends with his kids.

Thanks to all!

I think that time I spend on the street with my kids is two-fold; we spend quality time while I am teaching them the art of street-walking and pimping

Pro31:28 · #9 10-08-2010, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seguidordejesus

Good idea about playing a board game - in this tech age no one thinks about that as much.

Our teenagers LOVE family game night... I hide the monopoly, cause it can get ugly in our house....

scotty · #10 10-08-2010, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pro31:28

Our teenagers LOVE family game night... I hide the monopoly, cause it can get ugly in our house....

No doubt.. our daughters will finally get to where they pool their resources against me and my wife.