Need advice

[Dustin Stevens]

So heres the thing. Im gonna be having a baby tommarow and im so exited for it but im just worried that im not gonna be able to practice or play any guitar for awhile. Is there anyone on here that just had a child recently and could give me some advice on how to still have time to practice daily or is this out of the question for awhile.

 

[idssdi]

I have no experience with having kids whatsoever but I think each kid is different in how they are. My mom says I just slept a lot if your kid is the same you should have some time left. My brothers however were awake a lot more which which takes a lot more of your time. Just try to grab every 15 minutes or so you can find.

 

[Ed Seith]

Congratulations! My last one was 12 years ago, but I still think maybe I can help. Ids is right about one, thing – babies sleep a LOT. It’s just a matter of you and your wife/partner accepting that your lives will be controlled and ordered by the new infant’s schedule and sleep patterns for at least the first couple years.
The most important thing that you both need to remember is that you’re in it together. Work together. Each of you will need downtime or alone time every day. Make sure she gets hers, and when you get yours, use 15 minutes of it to play.
Don’t worry so much about “practice,” unless you want to in a given day’s window. Your goal is not necessarily continued improvement, but “regression avoidance” until you can devote more time. In the worst cases, that will be once school starts for the child, but that’s unlikely.
Use your guitar time to relax, vent, enjoy.
But never lose sight of the fact that SHE needs that time too, and if she’s nursing, she will need it more than you.
Congratulations, and good luck tomorrow!

 

[Dustin Stevens]

Thank you. i dont want to come across that guitar is my priority because obviously my child is gonna be priority. I guess i just have alot of passion about playing guitar and im worried im gonna loose that.

 

[Ed Seith]

Just try to get some axe time every day – 10-15 minutes will be better than a 2 hour marathon every Saturday. But take those, if you can, as well.

 

[Steven Huth]

Does your amp have a slot for headphones? If it does, this is definitely the route I would go. Enjoy being a new father!

 

[Dustin Stevens]

It does that is a good idea.

 

[Mariler]

First of all congrats!! Watching your child grow is one of the most beautiful experiences in life. It’s a great change but you’re gonna get used to it.
I’m not sure this will help you but I would like to share my experience.
My son is 7 years old. He was born with a rare disease and has a lot of issues. He needs help 24/7 to do the most basic everyday activities like getting dressed or walking. It is like having a baby. And this is mostly the reason why I never have enough time to film my practice and post a video here.
When my son was born I stopped working and became a full time mom and housewife. I don’t regret it and I enjoyed too but I was 100% dedicated to him and never took a second for me.
Thankfully my husband is a great team player and always told me to save some time for myself. But I wouldn’t listen.
I thought it was unfair to have him working full time and never accepted much of his help.
But even though I felt mentally very strong my body had to pay a high price and 4 years ago I was diagnosed a cancer. Then I started to change my mind.
Now I can say both experiences showed me how to live:
– my son teaches me every day that I have to fight to get whatever I want.
– the disease showed me that you never know what is gonna come tomorrow, so do every day something you love.
This is why I grabbed my guitar again and I am having more fun playing than ever. Playing keeps my feet on the ground.
Long story short, follow Ed’s advice word by word.
Play every day even if you only have ten minutes. Take a break on your own and never lose your passion.