401 sats \ 5 replies \ @jimmysong 5 Nov 2023 \ on: Confessions of a burnt-out father meta
You're in a difficult season and it sound like you have little support, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. A lot of parents go through the same thing when your kids are so needy. It's hard to deal with, especially after getting used to living on your own.
But there is light at the end of the tunnel. Around 5, kids start helping you and can take care of themselves more. By their teen years, they'll start learning and doing stuff you can't. The key is recognizing that they're a low time-preference thing, much like Bitcoin. The rewards are later when you're much older and can't really take care of yourself.
I've found that I've had to scale back on a ton of stuff that was just a waste of time. I've cut out watching TV, movies, sports, playing video games, fantasy football, etc. In a sense, you're being put through the fire and there are some priorities that need resetting to account for your kids. I know it was a tough time for me, but it ultimately led to a much better me because I had to really live out my values.
Anyway, a good night's sleep, some planning and some reliable babysitters can get you a long way. As we say in Bitcoin hold on and it'll get better.
So true!
When my son was born, I had to get off social media. Closed twitter for many years, and Facebook forever. It's an imperative to re-adjust our lives to serve the needs of the kids, and that transition can be tricky, especially when you have no family support.
But as Jimmy said, there's light at the end of the tunnel. Trust this. Don't give up on parenting, don't judge so harshly based on your current situation. (You're likely sleep deprived and can think clearly 😅)
Everything will be fine eventually.
All the best!
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That’s true. So sleep deprived these days that I’m functioning on adrenaline. I will prioritise naps more. Thanks, mate
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Could I ask what you mean by a low time-preference thing?
I get what you mean about trimming the fat and enjoy what you said about prevailing through a fire. I had two months of carefree childless life this year and observed that I felt that I wasn’t making good use of time by being around acquaintances who are fun to be with but not necessarily adding value to my life. I shall focus on that so that the piece of my mind it occupied expands. Thanks mate
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Children add much more value later than now. They're what you'd call a long-term investment, because it is hard at the beginning.
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Thanks for getting back to me. I think comparing children with Bitcoin really helped because I want to acquire the Bitcoin Standard one day!
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