Woodworking and new born

On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 21:29:51 -0500, Wally <[email protected]> wrote:

>Hi all,
>
>I will become daddy for the first time in January or February max. I
>was wondering for those of you who went through this wonderful moment,
>how does it change your woodworking habits? Do you put all your tools
>to rest for 2 years or you managed to get a few things done between
>the kid's naps? The neander way late at night kept your skills sharp
>until you can fire up the power tools again?
>
>Just wondering if I should start the severage now or go the opposite
>way, rush all my projects to completion so I get enough of it to hold
>for a while...
>
>Thanks for sharing your personal experiences...
>
>Wally

Actually the woodworking increased. There are things to build for the
newborn, and then other things as they grow.

Wally wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I will become daddy for the first time in January or February max. I
> was wondering for those of you who went through this wonderful
moment,
> how does it change your woodworking habits? Do you put all your tools
> to rest for 2 years or you managed to get a few things done between
> the kid's naps? The neander way late at night kept your skills sharp
> until you can fire up the power tools again?
>
> Just wondering if I should start the severage now or go the opposite
> way, rush all my projects to completion so I get enough of it to hold
> for a while...
>
> Thanks for sharing your personal experiences...
>
> Wally

Congratulations. My first was born on Nov. 1, just six weeks old. I
have spent a grand total of 6 hours working on my projects since the
baby was born. I'm only getting about an hour a week to work, but I
could squeeze out my usual 6-10 hours if I was trying. Even at this
basic care giving stage, my son is far and away the more interesting
and rewarding project.

Congratulations! My first is weeks old as of yesterday. I have been
averaging only about an hour a week on ww projects since the baby was
born, down from 6-10 hours a week before. I could get 6-10 hours a
week in the shop if I wanted, but I'd rather spend the time with my
boy.

It's not impossible to get time in the shop while caring for an infant,
depending on SWMBO. Just expect lots of interruptions.

In article <[email protected]>, Wally
<[email protected]> wrote:

> I will become daddy for the first time in January or February max. I
> was wondering for those of you who went through this wonderful moment,
> how does it change your woodworking habits? Do you put all your tools
> to rest for 2 years or you managed to get a few things done between
> the kid's naps? The neander way late at night kept your skills sharp
> until you can fire up the power tools again?

Congrats on becoming a Daddy.

I'm with Mr. Hinz. Don't go with the silent house. Your child will
learn to sleep through the noise quickly.

I've known people who did the "SSH! Baby sleeping!" thing, and you
couldn't fart quietly without waking the baby up. We just did our
normal stuff with both our kids... The downside is that my son can
sleep through the smoke alarm. The upside is that I can run the lathe
after he goes to bed (in my basement shop).

In article <[email protected]>, Wally
<[email protected]> wrote:

> I will become daddy for the first time in January or February max. I
> was wondering for those of you who went through this wonderful moment,
> how does it change your woodworking habits? Do you put all your tools
> to rest for 2 years or you managed to get a few things done between
> the kid's naps? The neander way late at night kept your skills sharp
> until you can fire up the power tools again?

Dittos the comments on maintaining normal household noise levels. My
fifth child just turned two, so listen to the voice of experience. :-)

I suspect you're already going through a bit of self-examination in
your woodworking. With every thing you do, you should be thinking,
"Now, how would I teach this to Junior(ette)?" There is no better tool
for learning than teaching. Ability to teach others guarantees a solid
understanding of the process.

As for Neandering, that's always a good thing. It takes you back to
basics, forcing your to examine the most efficient and wood-friendly
way to do things. Nahm's way isn't the best way to teach kids. (Neither
is ÜberNeander Roy Underhill's, but then, I prefer to teach the kids to
count to ten without taking off their shoes.)

Having a young'un about can teach you the real joy in woodworking: a
sharp crosscut handsaw, and the Cub Scout manual. A sharp block plane.
A folding rule, try-square, and a sharp pencil. A small hammer, 8 penny
nails, and a screwdriver and screws.

A birdhouse in 3/4 stock.

A breakfast tray for Mom.

A carpenter's tool box for Junior(ette), to tote his/her Very Own Tools.

Children aren't an interruption to woodworking. They are the reason for
it, and the future of it.

Congratulations, Pop. :-)

Kevin

"Phisherman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 21:29:51 -0500, Wally <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>Hi all,
>>
>>I will become daddy for the first time in January or February max. I
>>was wondering for those of you who went through this wonderful moment,
>>how does it change your woodworking habits? Do you put all your tools
>>to rest for 2 years or you managed to get a few things done between
>>the kid's naps? The neander way late at night kept your skills sharp
>>until you can fire up the power tools again?
>>
>>Just wondering if I should start the severage now or go the opposite
>>way, rush all my projects to completion so I get enough of it to hold
>>for a while...
>>
>>Thanks for sharing your personal experiences...
>>
>>Wally
>
> Actually the woodworking increased. There are things to build for the
> newborn, and then other things as they grow.

Your whole life is about to change, and for the better. You may not realize
it at 3 a.m. when the
%$*#% kid won't stop crying, but try to look at the Big Picture. Someday
you'll be a grandpa and your grandchildren will pay it back for you.

Bob

On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 21:29:51 -0500, Wally <[email protected]> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I will become daddy for the first time in January or February max.

Congrats! I've got a 6-week old little one.

> I
> was wondering for those of you who went through this wonderful moment,
> how does it change your woodworking habits? Do you put all your tools
> to rest for 2 years or you managed to get a few things done between
> the kid's naps? The neander way late at night kept your skills sharp
> until you can fire up the power tools again?


Do yourself and the kid a favor - do _NOT_ have a silent house when
they're sleeping. If they don't get used to noise while sleeping,
you'll be stuck being silent for the next couple of years. Go about
your normal business, just not in the room they're sleeping in.

> Just wondering if I should start the severage now or go the opposite
> way, rush all my projects to completion so I get enough of it to hold
> for a while...

You'll be plenty tired for the first month or two, but it's like any other
noise in the house. If it's normal, let it be a normally heard noise.

Dave Hinz

Woodcrafter wrote:

> Despite these downsides, kids are fun to play with. The first 6 months are
> the easy part. Once they become mobile, and once they start talking,
> that's when the fun begins :)

Hah. The fun begins when they get potty trained and can eat real food. :)

> Teach them early not to touch daddy's tools and machinery. They will elarn
> quick and soon be repeating safety instructions back to you :)

I had my son doing something or other with my DP when he was about four or
so. Four is a good age. Ten is better. Or maybe nine. At ten, he's
already starting to get a little bit of an attitude. Urf. Teen minus
three years and counting.

--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/
http://rosegarden.sourceforge.net/tutorial/

Congrats,

I found my woodworking time was reduced to some degree. It came down to
short periods of time in the shop, rather than long one, and sometimes these
periods were frequently, other times not.
Start building up your immune system because once they reach pre-school, or
childcare age, and if you do send them to care, they bring back every
illness known to man :-(
Despite these downsides, kids are fun to play with. The first 6 months are
the easy part. Once they become mobile, and once they start talking, that's
when the fun begins :)

Teach them early not to touch daddy's tools and machinery. They will elarn
quick and soon be repeating safety instructions back to you :)

--
Regards,

Dean Bielanowski
Editor,
Online Tool Reviews
http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com
Over 70 woodworking product reviews online!
------------------------------------------------------------
Latest 6 Reviews:
- Sherwood Lathe Copy Attachment
- Ryobi Right Angle Drill
- Porter Cable COIL250 Coil Nailer
- Ryobi 18v Cordless Jigsaw
- Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Furniture & Cabinet Construction
- Milescraft SignCrafter
------------------------------------------------------------

Mon, Dec 13, 2004, 9:29pm [email protected] (Wally) needs to know:
<snip> or you managed to get a few things done between the kid's naps?
The neander way late at night kept your skills sharp until you can fire
up the power tools again? <snip>

What you absolutely do NOT want to do is walk around saying, "Shhh,
they baby's taking a nap". You do that, then the least little noise is
gonna wake the kid up. Believe me. Don't fire the saw up next to the
kid's ear while he's sleeping, but don't worry about making normal
noises either.

We did the Shhh stuff with the first kid. The second one, we were
in the midst of putting the interior in the home place. Lay the kid
down on a blanked, then start hammering. Believe me, the kid had no
problems at all sleeping.

If you're planning on making a cradle for the kid, I wouldn't.
Make a rocking chair instead. The kid outgrows the cradle, it takes up
room. Sit in a rocker, rock the kid until he/she goes to sleep, then
you can put 'em down anywhere and they'll sleep, then sit back down in
the rocker, and rest. And, you'll be able to keep using the rocker, for
years and years.



JOAT
We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.
- unknown

On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 21:29:51 -0500, Wally <[email protected]> wrote:

>Hi all,
>
>I will become daddy for the first time in January or February max. I
>was wondering for those of you who went through this wonderful moment,
>how does it change your woodworking habits? Do you put all your tools
>to rest for 2 years or you managed to get a few things done between
>the kid's naps? The neander way late at night kept your skills sharp
>until you can fire up the power tools again?
>
>Just wondering if I should start the severage now or go the opposite
>way, rush all my projects to completion so I get enough of it to hold
>for a while...
>
>Thanks for sharing your personal experiences...
>
>Wally

My kids are now 15 and 18. In all that time (including when they were
infants) I kept the WW activity normal. My shop is in the basement
under their bedrooms. Most of the time my work is with power tools -
jointer, planer, etc. Not once was there any complaining.

Both kids are recipients of a number of things - a couple of desks,
bookcases, a bed and a dresser. I imagine someday when they move out
they may want me to make more stuff.

I agree with the other postings about not having a silent house. I kept the
tools running and can't recall a single incident where I woke up the
children. Exhausted wife, on the other hand, requires extra caution.

Just get in the habit of keeping the power away from your tools when
you're not there, and sharp or heavy stuff away from edges where they can be
pulled down. It's just common sense, really. You've got about two years to
prepare for having a two year old, and from that time on they just get
faster. If you're lucky the lock you use will slow them down enough for you
to arrive in time to supervise.

And forget about rushing your projects to completion. You'll be
interrupted a lot. Enjoy the interruptions, 'cause eventually they'll be
gone and you'll want them back.

Congratulations!

- Owen -


"Wally" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi all,
>
> I will become daddy for the first time in January or February max. I
> was wondering for those of you who went through this wonderful moment,
> how does it change your woodworking habits? Do you put all your tools
> to rest for 2 years or you managed to get a few things done between
> the kid's naps? The neander way late at night kept your skills sharp
> until you can fire up the power tools again?
>
> Just wondering if I should start the severage now or go the opposite
> way, rush all my projects to completion so I get enough of it to hold
> for a while...
>
> Thanks for sharing your personal experiences...
>
> Wally

Wally <[email protected]> wrote in news:u3jsr01u9036fj6kvfeto53ef5odm90ic3@
4ax.com:

> Hi all,
>
> I will become daddy for the first time in January or February max. I
> was wondering for those of you who went through this wonderful moment,
> how does it change your woodworking habits? Do you put all your tools
> to rest for 2 years or you managed to get a few things done between
> the kid's naps? The neander way late at night kept your skills sharp
> until you can fire up the power tools again?
...

Congrats on the upcoming addition!

I have a 6 year old and a 3 year old. Woodworking is very compatible
with the kids, as long as you keep your priorities straight. I try not
to do a project on a deadline (kids are heck on deadlines), I try to do
my machine milling during daylight hours when the kids are otherwise
occupied, and I do mostly neander joinery and finishing in the evenings
after they are asleep.

I've built a lot of projects for the kids ... everything from doll
cradles to highchairs to little rails to keep them from falling out of
bed. As they get older, it's fun to let them dink around with you in
the shop. No power tools, of course. But they go to town clamping up
scraps and painting your offcuts. I keep a tool drawer with old tools
that they are free to use. My daughter is as equally welcome as my son
is.

Even though they are told frequently about shop safety, I still keep
lockouts on all of the shop equipment. Belt and suspenders, if you know
what I mean.

Have fun and enjoy the ride.

Wally <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> Hi all,
>
> I will become daddy for the first time in January or February max.
I
> was wondering for those of you who went through this wonderful
moment,
> how does it change your woodworking habits?

I think it depends a lot on your relationship with your wife and what
kind of father you imagine yourself being. I know some guys who went
right back to their old routines a few weeks after their first kid
came home from the hospital, leaving their wives to take care of
junior, the house, and themselves as they recovered from the delivery
(and tried to master breast feeding at all hours of the night).
Myself, I found that my three biggest hobbies (guitar playing, wood
working, and reading) largely fell by the wayside for the first 9
months or so after my daughter was born-- I was too tired out from
getting up in the middle of the night. As she got older that
stopped, but managing to keep up with basic housework meant all free
time not spent playing with her (i.e. after bedtime) was shot. On
weekend, I feel torn between wanting to play with her and feeling
like I *have* to play with her to give my wife a break...we both work
demanding jobs that sometimes keep us out evenings or weekends.

So, for me it's meant that I do a lot more reading about woodworking
late at night, and a lot less woodworking. Once the kids are in
school and/or old enough to entertain themselves for longer periods
on weekends, I'll probably have more time in the shop. For now, it's
rare that I can get an hour in every couple of weeks to complete some
small project. But I don't care that much-- playing with my daugher
is more fun, and while I can always make sawdust later in life she
will only be three for a few more months.

So keep up the noise, but keep your wife in mind too...being a good
dad often means skipping what you want to do and doing what your wife
or kids need you to do. Time for yourself comes last for the next few
years, which takes getting used to, but it's certainly worth the
investment in your family.

-Derek

"Wally" wrote in message

> I will become daddy for the first time in January or February max. I
> was wondering for those of you who went through this wonderful moment,
> how does it change your woodworking habits?

Congratulations. The answer to your question ultimately lies in how you, the
male, handled the pregnancy.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 11/06/04

>
> I will become daddy for the first time in January or February max. I
> was wondering for those of you who went through this wonderful moment,
> how does it change your woodworking habits? Do you put all your tools
> to rest for 2 years or you managed to get a few things done between
> the kid's naps? The neander way late at night kept your skills sharp
> until you can fire up the power tools again?
>
> Just wondering if I should start the severage now or go the opposite
> way, rush all my projects to completion so I get enough of it to hold
> for a while...
>
> Thanks for sharing your personal experiences...

I've got twin 2 year-old boys. They really seem interested in Daddy's
tools. So much so that I will probably put a lock on my tool room to keep
them away from the air nailers, saws, etc. When they get older, I'll start
training them and let them handle things.

As for timing, you definitely have to time your workshop time. More so as
they get older. Their first 6 months he'll just sleep and eat and sleep...

Look at this as an opportunity. Not only are you a father but you now have
amore variety built into your hobby. Judging from the number of cradles,
rocking horses, toys and other kid-projects discussed here and in ABPW, you
will have plenty of things to expand your portfolio of projects.

I did plenty of projects for my kids as they grew and the list grows as a
grandfather.

RonB

"Wally" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...


> I will become daddy for the first time in January or February max. I
> was wondering for those of you who went through this wonderful moment,
> how does it change your woodworking habits? Do you put all your tools

I'll add my Congratulations to the others. My twins will be 3 shortly and
the oldest boy will be 4 1/2.

I *disagree* with keeping normal sound levels. We kept our house quiet. But
what the hey - this is something for you and your family to decide.

Personally, I put my 'dorking on hiatus for about 3 months. Now, my shop
time is pretty much in the early morning hours, when they're still asleep.
Or for an hour one day of the weekend when my wife gives me some time off.

YMMV - but when I have free time and when they're awake, I usually prefer
them over the shop.

I think just coming to grips with the fact that a "typical weekend project"
is now a three month endeavor helps.