How to Maintain Hobbies With Children
- 1). Include your children in your hobbies. Involving your children in your hobbies gives you more time to do your hobby and more time with your children; it also gets rid of the need for childcare. Make sure that you still find time for practicing your hobby on your own so you are not always held to the speed or level of your child.
- 2). Find a hobby or class for your child to become involved with. If your child is involved with something that she finds interesting, it will give you time for your own hobbies and will help your child understand and respect why you need time to keep up with your interests.
- 3). Make sure the importance of your hobbies is known. If you have a significant other, explain to him that you need time to keep up with your hobbies, and make sure you support him doing the same thing.
- 4). Schedule time for your hobbies. Time can quickly get away from you as a parent, so make sure you prepare for your hobbies ahead of time. Find childcare, put your hobby on the calendar and try not to let other things interfere with your designated time.
- 5). Expect to spend less time on your hobby. The reality is that once you have children your blocks of uninterrupted time will likely become smaller. If you are used to spending five hours a day putting model trains together, get accustomed to spending an hour a day or every few days, with maybe a few extra hours worked out on specific days.
- 6). Consider modifying your hobby. Do your hobby on a smaller scale most of the time, going all-out every few weeks. If you used to hike for hours, consider going on smaller hikes with your family, and going on one big hike a month.
- 7). Protect your hobby-related belongings. If you have the means to have a workshop or den, set very clear rules with your children about visiting the area. If you do not have a separate workspace, keep breakable or expensive items out of reach or locked up in a display case.
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