Finding the time to play

machinm19

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Before my kids were here poker was my entire life I played every minute of my waking day. These days I’m lucky if I get an hour to myself to play, I usually just play sit and go as it’s over quickly. Almost every tournament I start I end up having to abandon it and just go all in as the baby is needing me for something or other. How do other members find the right balance? I feel guilty every time I go to play live and usually end up playing reckless to get home quicker which is obviously stupid and a waste of money. I know it’s a case of priorities at the moment but I’m really missing poker.
 
Gallarado777

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Yes, these are very difficult periods in life when you have children, you want to do things, but you always need to monitor your children and devote a lot of time to them, so during these periods of life it's better to play on weekends when another family member replaces you so that you can spend time playing poker on other days it's better to give up poker
 
shanest

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I know where you are coming from OP.

had our first in January. Poker takes a backseat at the moment.

We have a live event every January so im hoping to play a bit then but as of now just play a little bit in the evening here and there when the little one is down
 
john_entony

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Before my kids were here poker was my entire life I played every minute of my waking day. These days I’m lucky if I get an hour to myself to play, I usually just play sit and go as it’s over quickly. Almost every tournament I start I end up having to abandon it and just go all in as the baby is needing me for something or other. How do other members find the right balance? I feel guilty every time I go to play live and usually end up playing reckless to get home quicker which is obviously stupid and a waste of money. I know it’s a case of priorities at the moment but I’m really missing poker.
The kids are a priority, really. And as much as you love poker, the kids are more important. And you're doing the right thing. Try playing just Spin&Go, for example. It's a short game, but it's also poker. Wait for the kids to grow up, and then start teaching them how to play poker from the age of 14, and then you can enjoy poker with your whole family. :)
 
steve01991

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I am finding it hard to play consistent when i have my grandchildren over, which is almost everyday. But i still find it enjoyable.
 
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DAVID KEHRER

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I have a hard time finding time because of my health and my wife's. Been last few years both have been sick time after time . I HATE GETTING OLDER.
 
German629

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Hi, Everybody! Well, what do I can say about this question?!. If to say honestly, long time already I haven't any problem with free time for Poker!
Therefore for Me more important this is in right time to give self a break! And then after rest to continue again!..
 
Marshmalo1994

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Well, is just an opinion, because I don't have any kids, but I guess that is a stage (or phase, idk which one would be correct in this case).
Obviously is a sacrifice that you'll need to do for a long time, but maybe you'll have the time in the future.
As I said, I don't have kids, but there's a lot of things that we need to attend to before playing poker, at least if is not a relevant income for us.
 
fryderyk

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You always make a choice, you gain time with your children and you lose yours, and choosing time for your children is the best thing you can do, time will come for poker. I've been playing very little lately, but I like to take longer breaks, first because I didn't have time to play, and now I take breaks out of habit.
 
Rijckenborg

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What about teaching poker to kid ? I'm half joking :p
 
sincos

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I don't like playing MTT because there is a time binding in this case
 
Delenia

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I never had time for poker, or anything else, until my kids were grown and out of the house. And even now they still tend to have needs that prevent me from playing sometimes. But they are still the most important thing in my life, so it is a small sacrifice.
 
hilary antonik filho

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Don't worry, this is just the beginning, I'm a great-grandfather, I've been through two stages and now in the third, when my great-granddaughter comes to visit, it's a hurricane, she turns off the computer, messes up all my notes, she messes with everything, but even so I have all the time in the world, of course, when my wife doesn't ask for something to do, go shopping or go out with the dog
 
ninocabral

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With small children it becomes more difficult to find time to play, as the entire time is exclusive to the baby, but being a father has these things and is part of it.
 
TulasMoreno

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Im not at that point yet but i think in closer and ill be the same, i think making deals with your couple will help.
 
dreamer13

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Think about what exactly you want from poker. Just schedule your sessions and treat it like a full-time job. No excuses. Moreover, all families, friends and loved ones should know that at this time you are really busy. This is your job, not a hobby that can be put off for another time.
 
Leandro6803

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my best tip for you is to set days to play or time, for example "from Monday to Friday I'll play at night" or "Sunday I'll play all day".

During the period you are playing, leave a trusted person to take care of your children.
 
Luvepoker

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Before my kids were here poker was my entire life I played every minute of my waking day. These days I’m lucky if I get an hour to myself to play, I usually just play sit and go as it’s over quickly. Almost every tournament I start I end up having to abandon it and just go all in as the baby is needing me for something or other. How do other members find the right balance? I feel guilty every time I go to play live and usually end up playing reckless to get home quicker which is obviously stupid and a waste of money. I know it’s a case of priorities at the moment but I’m really missing poker.
This is one I can relate to big time. When my daughter first came home I was unable to play much poker at all but what I was able to do is work in games when I could but it was not easy for the longest time. Once the baby gets older it becomes a lot easier say after a year but even then I was just playing small sit and go tournaments 45 man 180 man tournaments that were over in an hour and a half to two hours at most. The one negative you will find is even as the kids get older you're still not gonna be able to play like you used to and you'll have to find time to make games. Just last week I was hoping to jump into a tournament series and play somewhere between 15 and 20 tournaments. I played four this week and that's all I was able to fit in. Soccer party Mother's Day attract me bring in the kids to hang out with friends at the movie theaters. This is what stopped me from playing this week. The one thing I will say is it does get easier after a year it really does once the baby starts sleeping for the night especially. Just don't forget to make time for yourself.
 
MK_

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I think at the moment obviously babies come first but I also think there's nothing wrong with making time for yourself... I mean think about what you are teaching your children if you don't put yourself on the schedule too...,
so my advice is make time for yourself, schedule in time during the day or a night out for you to get out and do what you enjoy👍
 
andron205

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turbo tournaments are very suitable for this case; 888 poker has recently added such knockout tournaments
 
s0ftdumps

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Before my kids were here poker was my entire life I played every minute of my waking day. These days I’m lucky if I get an hour to myself to play, I usually just play sit and go as it’s over quickly. Almost every tournament I start I end up having to abandon it and just go all in as the baby is needing me for something or other. How do other members find the right balance? I feel guilty every time I go to play live and usually end up playing reckless to get home quicker which is obviously stupid and a waste of money. I know it’s a case of priorities at the moment but I’m really missing poker.
Before my kids were here poker was my entire life I played every minute of my waking day. These days I’m lucky if I get an hour to myself to play, I usually just play sit and go as it’s over quickly. Almost every tournament I start I end up having to abandon it and just go all in as the baby is needing me for something or other. How do other members find the right balance? I feel guilty every time I go to play live and usually end up playing reckless to get home quicker which is obviously stupid and a waste of money. I know it’s a case of priorities at the moment but I’m really missing poker.
 
C

Cooking

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When you have a new baby it is very difficult to find time to play poker because like you said you need a couple of hours to play any tournament. I think the only way is to play when they are sleeping.
 
Mauricio Perrotta

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If poker IS NOT your way of earning a living, I think you should put it aside for a while and take care of what's important, which is your family.
 
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