Full Time Developer as a Full Time Parent
Before my son was born I used to brag how everyday I was writing code. Whether it was for my profession, studying for a Microsoft certification, a personal project, or answering questions with example code on StackOverflow, I spent hours every week in front of a computer screen writing code. C#, HTML, JavaScript, SQL, it didn't matter as long as it was code. Oh but how things changed as soon as I got the call that my wife was going into labor.
I still write code 5-6 days a week, but I look at the 7th day as a break to spend 100% entirely with my family. Sure, I may browse the internet and read an article while they are both asleep, and I may code review myself, but I try to avoid activities that will drain me of energy for when and if he needs anything. During the week after putting in my hours at my job, coming home I help cook dinner, pick up the house, or bathe the baby. But once he is asleep (hopefully before 10pm!) I can resume my normal routine of expanding my skill sets by getting back to what I enjoy; coding!
Some days are better than others. I place the baby monitor next to my desktop monitor and with music softly playing, I can work until midnight coming up with crazy ideas and implementing them into a personal project. I enjoy problem solving issues that I may not have been able to solve the night before and everything can fall into place. I like when I set a goal for myself to get one thing done but instead get three things accomplished. But I know, at least while I am up working, that if he stirs a little too much, or if he sneezes in his sleep, or has a tummy ache and needs held, I have to give up that night's goal to be completed another night.
What are your experiences with staying up to date with technology, and how do you balance your work/life commitments coupled with work/life/passion endeavors?
