My Daughter was born Aug. 1st so it wasn't that bad but My wife expected me to watch her on my days off so she could rest so I had to work a few things out with my boss at work too to work more night shifts so I could get some stand time in the morning. other wise it will have to be a long and loving conversation with your wife about letting you have time to do it with out burning her her out.
My son is two now he was born in June 2010. I didn't get out but a hand full of times the 2010 season, but really kicked up a notch or three last season. Now I try to plan things for my wife to do and if she agrees I wait a couple of days and say hey I was thinking going out that day, since you'll be out and I don't get out a whole lot anyways. We got lucky with our little guy as he slept from 9 pm to 6 or 7 AM. Pray this will happen to you too. Also note that the more you give the more she'll love and respect you. So getting the courage to ask her will come easier as time goes by. My wife just suggested that she wants to wait and try for a October baby. At first I was about to ask "Are you freaking CRAZY, but a little light bulb turned on in my head that suggested what if your birthday was in October?". You could go hunting every birthday. I'd be ok with that, not to mentionthat you could be able to take your son on a heck of a birthday hunting trip.
I told her to let me know when they were walking and done with diapers... then I would help out. Sadly it wasn't hunting that took my time... it was work so no one was having fun. Tim
My first son was born September 9th, 2011. It was the greatest day of my life knowing that at some point I would be able to teach him all of the things that I know about hunting. I had two weeks off of work which coincided with the bow opener in WI. I was pretty jacked up thinking that I would be able to take opening weekend to hunt. That being said, I made it for two sits of opening weekend of gun season while my MIL and wife watched the baby and one day of muzzle loader.
I think you'll enjoy a feature article I've got coming out in the October issue of Petersen's Bowhunting (hasn't hit newstands yet)... deals with some of my thoughts on this topic.
My best advice applies to later. Get your son in the stand with you as early and as often as you can. There is no better time together and no better hunting partner than a son or daughter. Good luck! You'll do fine!
Looking forward to reading that! My advice is to love your child with all your heart ... share your passions with them and allow them to share their passions with you .. listen to them ... do what they like to do ... finding time to hunt is never an issue when you have a home sharing and caring with each other .... I am betting Greg's boys WANT dad to go hunting, even if they can't go ... it is because his family is a true family ... I am excited for you ..... these are great times ..
Some of my greatest times with Zach was when he was small and he would help me follow a blood trail. He would get so excited and was actually better at it than me. Of course I am fortunate to be able to hunt behind my house so I could go early and be back by mid morning. My best advice is..." don't make finding time to hunt a big deal... it can be hurtful to your family. Don't let them feel like you giving them your time is a sacrifice... they will figure that out someday on their own. But then they will have children and realize that the time was not a sacrifice after all but the greatest joy of your life... a blessing. I am editing in this thought... I used to practice shooting Lifersavers candy that I would hang from a string. Whenever I would actually hit one, which was sometimes rare, Zach would go pick up the little pieces and eat them. The thing is... he had a great time... and I got to practice.
My advice on parenting.. take it one day at a time. Children are awesome. They have this amazing way of making you remember and realize that today is more important than tomorrow. As adults.. we forget this. We live for the next hunting season or that next vacation away from work.. but children make us remember that it is just as important to live today. Take it one day at a time. As far as hunting... as long as you understand the above.. everything else will just fall into place.
