DanRoot
patreon
Dad Blog #1
🕑 Added 2018-05-12 19:03:51 +0000 UTCHey pates,
Being a Dad is a big deal, and I thought it might be a nice idea to share my experiences with what it's like being a freelance animating Dad by writing a blog, for everyone to read.
So I have a beautiful partner, a pre-teen step-daughter and a ten month old baby daughter, and a freelance animation career, while also having a part-time digital airbrushing job if animation work is particularly low, but this isn't often.
I produce videos for my YouTube channel, which this Patreon is for, and I really enjoy doing those, using my knowledge of animation to break down and have a look at animation in video games.
Even though my YouTube channel is essentially a paid hobby, it's often at the end of my list of things I can get done in a day, though my other hobby of illustration may come after it.
I was totally unprepared in being a father, but like they say, there's no rule book for being a parent, you write your own. I'm incredibly lucky to have my partner help me with being a Dad, she's so amazingly patient and chill, it always chills me out too if I'm a little stressed.
I work from home, and although I don't have a separate office right now, (as we moved recently) I find it easy to zone out and separate my work from home, though a physical space will eventually be a necessity.
For now though, it's one of the best things being able to work on animation and then suddenly have my baby daughter tugging at my leg to show me a sock she's found, and then toddle off (I've learned that 10 months is quite early to be walking!).
My step-daughter grew up in the YouTube generation and watches tons of vloggers, and she's usually confused as to why I don't talk to a camera, but she's always fascinated with how I make my videos and what they're about.
My partner is a creative as well, and it's a really lovely atmosphere when we're both working on our hobbies in the evening when the kids are in bed and we can critique each other's work (it's usually both of us saying "oh my god, that's so good, well done" at the same time).
Like I said earlier, hobbies take a bit of a backseat behind work, family and friends, and tend to result in me staying up until maybe 1am or 2am to squeeze in some other animation or video producing.
I've mentioned in another post that I don't get as much time as I used to in playing video games, especially big, open world games, and which is why the Switch is a God-send in picking up quick indie games like Flinthook or something.
A standard day means getting up at maybe 6am, help getting the breakfasts and school run sorted, working between 9-5, and then the Evening Routine begins, which consists of choosing and making dinner, catching and forcing Baby to stay still, having the daily argument with Pre-Teen why sweets aren't allowed before bed, catching Baby and getting her bathed, bottled and bedded, and then relaxing in a shower or bath, all between 5-8, before spending time with the Girlf, where we'll snug in front of the TV or both be working on our hobbies.
Then if I'm not tired, I'll look to continue finishing my latest YouTube video.
I'll write a blog every now and then, let me know if you'd want it to be more regular or consistent.
Loveyoubye
