Ask HN: Developers with kids, how do you skill up?
I'm a little late to the thread here, but, I thought I'd share...<p>I do indie app development work (for myself) and then work with a few other guys to build an enterprise SaaS startup (just like everyone else... right...?).<p>In addition, I've been blogging every single day for 16 years (<a href="http://john.do" rel="nofollow">http://john.do</a>) and I just added a daily vlog (<a href="http://john.show" rel="nofollow">http://john.show</a>) where I talk about a few of these things...<p>But, I'm also married for 12 years and have 2 girls (ages 10 and 6). It's insanity trying to do all of these things... but, I manage... and here's how:<p>1. I've created a pretty strict boundary-line for when I work and when I don't. My wife and I agree on this boundary line and then...
2. I fucking work my ass off to get as much shit as I can done. 
3. I forgive myself for not accomplishing everything I want to get done, and then, I get up the next day and try to do better.
4. I get support from partners and my friends. Building shit on the internet is tiring and can quickly become very lonely. Without help I lose, 100% of the time.
5. I take care of my body and mind and spirit through intentional self-care. I work out 7 days out of 7 a week. I have to or, I literally die.<p>By the way, it took years for me to figure all of this out, so, me dropping this might seem self-righteous and stuff, but I'm not trying to be like that.<p>I experimented my way through all of this and it took forever to find a pace and a rhythm that made sense for me and my family. It's hard as hell and every day I feel like I'm falling farther behind... but the reality is that most of that is in my head and the reality is that i'm moving faster and smarter than I ever have been.<p>I just, like everyone else, struggle to see the forest through the individual trees.<p>ping me if you want to chat more. i'm down for it: <a href="http://twitter.com/8bit" rel="nofollow">http://twitter.com/8bit</a>