I agree that kids will suck up all your time…When they are awake, you really won’t have time for much else since they will want your attention so you can’t tell them to read a book and leave me alone…
That said, like someone else said, the 1st 2 years, you probably can play games or watch TV…I’d say to really enjoy it since you won’t get to do it as much after they are older and if it’s an activity you enjoy, do it as much as you can now.
After that, you have to decide what you want your life to be like (all for the kids, give up everything?).
I don’t think it matters as much what the dad does. Like my parents never used computers and we did growing up. Also, I’m sure Facebook, Apple, Microsoft, you name any tech company would’ve NEVER been started if the founders weren’t allowed to play with computers early and play games early so is it really that bad? Just monitor use and don’t let the kid EVER get it in their head that they can say no or they set the rules. I’ve seen a lot of other kids not so well disciplined and are wild outside. Most likely, they “won” some early battles and do as they please. Remember that letting a kid do whatever they want ISN’T helping them at all actually. I know a kid who is allowed ice cream for breakfast…
I’ve also heard/seen cousins which supposedly was led by a tiger mom and weren’t allowed any TV time at all, last time we saw them to eat lunch, the kids had both their eyes glued to either an ipad or a gamepad…throughout the whole lunch…not sure how good that worked out.
I don’t know how effective it is if you have to work and are already worn out (pick your battles)…especially if all their friends/other family cousins have these toys/phones so I’d just set boundaries/guidelines/time restrictions, etc…was never a fan of banning it all since that doesn’t each people how to manage their own time/money/what’s too much, etc…It’s better if they learn how to do it at a younger age.
Another point not discussed so far is we don’t hit our kids since studies supposedly show hitting doesn’t help…I got hit plenty…no wonder I’m so screwed up…so maybe they are right…
congrats and good luck! Life is forever changed and over with kids and your time is all gone now.
studies also consistently show that parents with kids are not as happy as married couples without…I don’t disagree with this, but like many things in life, it’s not just about being the happiest I guess and if we wanted that life experience (which can’t be described if you don’t have kids), just do it and live with it…I’m sure the relationship with the spouse forever changes as well.
