New dad
- Thread starter lithium97
- Start date
filli_noctus
Hmmn
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2010
- Messages
- 2,221
If you're anything like me you'll be too busy spending time with your wife and baby. I haven't started civ, or any other game, since my daughter was born three months ago.
JamesCivFan
King
I'm not married yet, but I think I understand your concern. Congratulations nonetheless, and I think the key is to arrange your time with Civ and your family as best as possible. Of course, family comes first.
eris
King
Scheduling. An hour a day, a time during the week, whatever, that you take a break and do what you need to do to unwind. If you have other unwind interests, that's your prioritization problem, not ours. 
Just remember that she gets the same arrangement and commitment to her time as well, whether she plays Civ or not.
The baby is not 100% in control of your life. You still get to make decisions and set priorities. It is just that the baby is now 100 times more important than anything else in your life, even Civ.
Just remember that she gets the same arrangement and commitment to her time as well, whether she plays Civ or not.The baby is not 100% in control of your life. You still get to make decisions and set priorities. It is just that the baby is now 100 times more important than anything else in your life, even Civ.
Aristos
Lightseeker
You teach the new baby History of the World from day one. The only way to teach a baby such a subject, of course, is in front of a simulator (err... game) like, mmm... Civ?
It's what I did, 10 years ago. Now I cannot de-glue both the girl and the boy off the comp... but at least they are not playing Mortal Kombat nor The Sims...
It's what I did, 10 years ago. Now I cannot de-glue both the girl and the boy off the comp... but at least they are not playing Mortal Kombat nor The Sims...
Mesix
Obergruppenführer
We have a two week old. He loves to lay in Daddy's lap while the laptop is on (the hum of the fans puts him to sleep). This gives Mommy a much needed break from the crying infant 
pxpdoo
Ninja Burger Fry Cook
Seriously! So many things I've learned from Civ games, large and small. And useful, like when my mother bugs me about not going to church, and I toss Bible passages at her. Or helping the nieces and nephews with thier homework. Amaze your friends! 
Just tell your wife that your child will be a genius by age four.
Oh, and congratulations!
Just tell your wife that your child will be a genius by age four.
Oh, and congratulations!
Gre_Magus
Manet
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2005
- Messages
- 273
I just had a baby 9 weeks ago, but I have found a little time for Civ - just about 1 hour or 2 a week. Of course, I also have a job and a lot of other interests and responsibilities. I mean, last weekend, I even played a different computer game for a while!
But congratulations, and welcome to the other side. You may have thought you were a grown up before, but there's nothing like being a parent.
But congratulations, and welcome to the other side. You may have thought you were a grown up before, but there's nothing like being a parent.
gingerbill
Prince
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2005
- Messages
- 335
i think for the first 2-3 months you basically have to say goodbye to your Pc time 
, but after awhile you find time again.
, but after awhile you find time again.
When your wife is having a nap with baby or breastfeeding - Civ time!
Between every 40-50 turns, walk to your wife and tell her how it's important that both mom and dad get their own relaxing time, and then rush back to the computer to complete that last SS Booster!
Between every 40-50 turns, walk to your wife and tell her how it's important that both mom and dad get their own relaxing time, and then rush back to the computer to complete that last SS Booster!
CaesarCS
Chieftain
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2005
- Messages
- 75
Scheduling. An hour a day, a time during the week, whatever, that you take a break and do what you need to do to unwind. If you have other unwind interests, that's your prioritization problem, not ours.
The baby is not 100% in control of your life. You still get to make decisions and set priorities. It is just that the baby is now 100 times more important than anything else in your life, even Civ.
This. I would add that if you want a long session you need to work it out with the wife. Find a way to keep the baby close to you when you have to watch her, and remember that her needs come first, and you'll be fine.
Nice thing about Civ is that it's a turn based game so it's easy, if the baby is nearby to get up to respond to needs when they come up.
One last thing: Congratulations on the new addition to your family!
Breezin
Warlord
We have three small children so I bought a gaming laptop and have it downstairs where everyone hangs out so I can hang out, help keep the peace, watch the kids, and still feel like I'm not shirking my responsibility while still getting game time in.
Given the requirements of Civ V and how it seems to eat computers for lunch, I'd recommend having a fairly powerful laptop with a dedicated video card not integrated. Mine has a Nvidia 460M and although Civ runs perfect the fan is always spinning hard when I play it.
Given the requirements of Civ V and how it seems to eat computers for lunch, I'd recommend having a fairly powerful laptop with a dedicated video card not integrated. Mine has a Nvidia 460M and although Civ runs perfect the fan is always spinning hard when I play it.
Leifmk
Deity
After son #1 was born it took me over a year before I had the energy or time to even bother trying to play a computer game again.
The Pilgrim
Deity
Sleep deprivation, of course. I didn't see any other option. But frankly, Civ was pushed down the priority list for a few months.
Congrats to all new dads here (and moms???)!
Congrats to all new dads here (and moms???)!
Shylock76
Chieftain
Congratulations! Speaking as a father of a 4 year old and 2 year old it is tough when its your first kid....and you'll be wrapped up in it. It doesnt mean that you wont get some time on your own and mother and baby will often nap at the same time, means that you might only get an hour or two but its better than nothing. Our PC is in our living room and ill try and game only in the evenings, if im bothered, when the kids are in bed but ill often have Civ on in the background when they are watching a movie or cartoons and come back and forth to it when i get some time.
Shylock76
Chieftain
Supr49er
2011 Thunderfall Cup
Congratulations 
Volunteer to get up with the baby at night and play Civ on your lapper while sitting in a rocker calming the baby back to sleep.
Volunteer to get up with the baby at night and play Civ on your lapper while sitting in a rocker calming the baby back to sleep.
Scheduling. An hour a day, a time during the week, whatever, that you take a break and do what you need to do to unwind. If you have other unwind interests, that's your prioritization problem, not ours.
The baby is not 100% in control of your life. You still get to make decisions and set priorities. It is just that the baby is now 100 times more important than anything else in your life, even Civ.
This.
There's going to be a lot of pressure on both you and your wife to make the baby the absolute center of your lives. Doing anything that ISN'T helping the baby is going to make you feel guilty.
That's a trap. You and your wife both need to make yourselves do stuff - whatever you do to unwind, whether it's going out by yourself for a walk, reading a book, playing computer games, whatever it is.
You're NOT going to have much time for this. Expecting to spend even two hours a day on gaming is just unrealistic; one hour a day is probably stretching it. That's just the way it is. Just make sure that you get enough time to decompress and destress every so often, and make sure your wife does the same while you watch the baby. You can't take good care of an infant if you're not taking good care of yourself.
Agree with the comments that state the baby should be a part of your life, not all of your life. My wife fell into this trap and it was hard to get her out of it. You will not be there for everything, just try to be there. You will not be able to do everything you used to do, but you still must do some stuff for just you.
My 2 year old had a hard time sleeping when she was little. She loved falling asleep in my arms as I played Civ though! Now she will help me decide on which policy to take, which tech to research. She doesn't understand what it all means, but inclusion can be an important part of their development.
In fact, a strange type of game developed where I would let her make all the decisions. Which leader, which map, which tech, which policy. I had some... random games. Loads of fun though.
Congrats and gl.
My 2 year old had a hard time sleeping when she was little. She loved falling asleep in my arms as I played Civ though! Now she will help me decide on which policy to take, which tech to research. She doesn't understand what it all means, but inclusion can be an important part of their development.
In fact, a strange type of game developed where I would let her make all the decisions. Which leader, which map, which tech, which policy. I had some... random games. Loads of fun though.
Congrats and gl.
