ALL MUSICIANS! How do u find that creative time while being a parent too?

Question

I have 3 kids, the oldest I have every weekend, my youngest is 2, very high maintanance. I play guitar and I want to start working on music projects again, but, can't seem to get into the groove again i have so many other projects left undone, plus work , and house chores then the kids. I play grindcore but now I'm down to just metal. I know family life is first but when there is time, kids asleep or significant other takes over, how can I get that motivation to create? How do you if you have children? When I have time to myself I just want to lay around and relax or watch TV or play my 360. I feel I might have lost the musical creation nack :,(

Wow, these are all really great answers and very inspiring...

Answer 1

I don't. :(
I've given up on the violin and piano... atleast for a while.

Answer 2

I used to write music, but I sort of stopped when my son was born and turned to photography and painting, which is what I'm doing now. So I'm not the best example. But maybe you need to take a break from music, do something else creative for a while, and come back to it. If you're anything like myself of the musicians I know, after a certain point you won't be able to not write.

My son's father was also a musician, and he would write lullabies and songs for our son to keep him amused and sometimes he'd come across a riff he like and later would work on it and turn it into a song (a completely different song, not a lullaby). When our son got older he'd help us polish and fine tune songs, give advice and add parts. Now he's in a band himself.
Of course, your kids might not appreciate grindcore or metal when going to bed as much as a poppy piano or ukulele tune.

But my ex found fatherhood really inspiring, material-wise, loads of new experiences for our son and for him everyday, it was like growing up all over again. If you can find time and energy to settle down and fiddle around, maybe something will come up. Don't force it, and don't expect any great genius to suddenly appear.

Answer 3

I'm not a musician yet, but I aspire to be a local area one. With my child being 4, I just basically got to do it when my child's asleep. Because my child is wanting to be a musician, too, I have to be protective of my guitars ( 1 acoustic and 1 electric) and keep out of reach.
I given my child some kiddie First Act percuss ions and harmonica, but you know as much as me kids find anything that's not theirs to touch SOOOOO much more fun!
When my child's asleep is the only time I can record my stuff if I want to record. I just for now use a tape recorder, and have my father use his tape/cd recorder to record my tape onto cd. When I become pro, then THAT'S when I'll use recording studios.
I know what you mean about when you have time for yourself.
How do you find time besides when your kids' asleep? Maybe sometimes hiring a sitter so you can get some things done then? Or see if your friends or a family member may let you borrow their place to practice while your kids' moms watch them.
I do commend you for making your kids as priority. I know how hard two year-olds are, but there will come a day it gets easier! Faster than you think. Truthfully speaking, I'm waiting for my almost school-age child to settle down!

Answer 4

Yes, it's tough! I play the piano and love to compose my own stuff and when I have a minute I just sit down and play through something and will jot it down, then just think about it and if something comes to me, I'll take a minute and put it down. It's slower work, for sure but your right the kiddos come first! They do get older and things get easier. My oldest is 9 and my youngest is 3 and it's getting easier. Listen to music, involve your kids in your creating and you'll find your nack will come back with time.

Answer 5

well, I'm not a musician, but my fiance is. We have 3 kids and I am preg with our 4th, and believe me, he always finds time. Usually when the kids are napping, or when I am at my doctors appointments, while the kids are eating, and usually for about an hour or two after they are in bed for the night. You just need to make time. If it really means that much to you and you enjoy it that much, then you will. I try to take care of the house chores so he has time to do his music stuff.

Answer 6

My hubby is a musician and he finds the time after work and I look after the kids as any good wife should

Answer 7

We bring our two year old into it! My son has a little backyardigans karaoke box, and he sings into it while I sing and daddy plays the guitar. He loves to bop around dancing and playing his little guitar. I figure start 'em young!