Stay at home dad/poker player..... is it possible?

[SuitedSixes]

Me.

I do it.

I send my daughter to a babysitter for 5 hours in the afternoon and evening, and then I play for another 3-5 hours after she goes to sleep.

I've been doing it for over 3 months and it is working pretty well. The pressure of having to win to keep the whole thing going gets to be alot some days, but the time I get to spend with her makes it worthwhile. If I went broke today, I wouldn't have any regrets.

My story can be found here.

[WarBus]

I have my 2 kids 4 1/2 months a year. A month for Christmas, a month for Easter and the rest in the summer. Its actually quite nice playing for a living. We went to the zoo today and go to the park or the pool 2-3 days a week. I have a couple little vacations planned for the summer. I plan all the events during the week so there isn't as many crowds. I can spend the day with the kids and still get my 20 - 25 hours of play in every week. It does help that my girlfriend watches them in the morning because I go to the gym Mon - Fri.

[primetime32]

I have a "real" job, but there are days and even weeks when i get off and watch my kid while playing poker. it can be done, but it isnt very easy. When they are very young they sleep alot which is good, but they dont konw when you are in a big hand or a big tournament, so always be prepared to stop playing at any time.

When they get older and start running around the house you will need a laptop to take with you from room to room. At least that is how i do it.

Personally, if i was confident that i could make as good a living playing poker as i do with my current job i would have loved to stay home with my kid and play poker.

GOOD LUCK!

[dogmeat]

My daughter is almost four.

I have not had a regular job since Sept. 2002, although I did have income until Dec. 2003 from a consulting job.

I've been playing mostly full-time since Dec. 2003.

I don't see this changing in the near future.

Dogmeat [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]

[Sandwich]

What type of "salaries" are we talking here??
Something to supplement the wife's 6 figure income, or are you guys the major breadwinners for the family?

I feel so guilty when my toddler vies for my attention and I'm busy locked into a blinds battle with AJs... ("one second, sweetheart, let me raise this mutherf^#^@"). I can't imagine being a stay-at-home dad poker pro.

[x2ski]

[ QUOTE ]
What type of "salaries" are we talking here??
Something to supplement the wife's 6 figure income, or are you guys the major breadwinners for the family?

I feel so guilty when my toddler vies for my attention and I'm busy locked into a blinds battle with AJs... ("one second, sweetheart, let me raise this mutherf^#^@"). I can't imagine being a stay-at-home dad poker pro.

[/ QUOTE ]

Bread-winner in a major way... I bring home the bacon (or at least upstairs from the basement)

[liquid]

[ QUOTE ]
I feel so guilty when my toddler vies for my attention and I'm busy locked into a blinds battle with AJs... ("one second, sweetheart, let me raise this mutherf^#^@").

[/ QUOTE ]

nh

[messenger309]

Hell, we should have our own group! I do it too. Mainly low limit bonus stuff but it brings in about 2000 a month and I get to spend a lot of time with my kids. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Rob

[Uglyowl]

Thanks to skyrocketing commuting costs, time, and a slashed bonus, I am playing poker in the interim of deciding what to do with my life.

I will probably figure out what I want to do shortly. The poker winnings have given me the option of winging it.

A couple of thoughts:

- Watching a kid isn't the easiest thing to do and you won't be able to play non-stop during the day. It is the best thing though to spend time with your kid, more emotional compensation than anything.

- Alot less stressful than 3 hours on the road everyday though.

- If you have another steady income in the family it is alot easier, although week one has been great, made alot more already than a week at work and less hours and no commute. This is no guarentee of future results though.

My thinking now is taking a few weeks to relax and my thinking now and finding a stress free job. Maybe 25-35 hours/week (& small commute) if I can find someone who is looking for that?

Well it is 4:10PM and haven't not played a hand of poker yet, but it has been a great day. The day is still is young, no work obligations and plenty of rest. Sportscenter in the morning doesn't wear you down too much.

[SuitedSixes]

[ QUOTE ]
What type of "salaries" are we talking here??
Something to supplement the wife's 6 figure income, or are you guys the major breadwinners for the family?{/quote]

Just me, and I make more than I did when I was working 10 hours a night, 4 nights a week.

[ QUOTE ]

I feel so guilty when my toddler vies for my attention and I'm busy locked into a blinds battle with AJs... ("one second, sweetheart, let me raise this mutherf^#^@"). I can't imagine being a stay-at-home dad poker pro.

[/ QUOTE ]

I make it a point to never play while she's awake, I'm mostly a tournament player, so it only takes one distraction at the wrong time. I pay a babysitter for 25 hours a week, and I am able to get in another 25-35 hours a week while she is asleep, with her mom, or at grandma's.

I have a relationship with my daughter that is unlike any other father's that I know, and I am sure that it has everything to do with the time I am able to spend with her. It's a great situation that is working out very well for us.