37
20 Comments

Bootstrapping with kids LMAO

You gotta laugh. I'm trying to bootstrap selfhostedgit.com and last night I had some new signups. I woke up to the signups and immediately start provisioning server boxes, as I am doing this process manually to begin with.

On small wrinkle in my plans: today my wife started a new job and so I have the kids, what could go wrong? :D

So before I begin, I must make toasted croissants for breakfast for two hangry little snapping turtles.

So I do that, and they're happy eating for a while. I get to my laptop quickly and I'm trying to provision servers. Four year old comes in. The torture begins:

  • Pokes me in the back a few times and asks what it feels like.
  • Not enough feedback so he rubs snuggle bunny in my face.
  • Then I don't respond so he sticks his finger in my ear.

Then my 9 year old comes through to tell me about a "weirdly shaped almond" she found in great detail (it was a hazelnut).

Some time later I have provisioned several boxes when the wailing begins. Somebody has hit somebody else and it's somebody else's fault. Time to become the detective. :D

  1. 7

    You'd be missing out on all of those wonderful experiences in the office :D Thanks for sharing the story, and good luck with your project! Sounds like you have all the help you need :D

  2. 5

    This is great. I have a 3 and 1 year old. Attempting to get work done with them in the room is an adventure 😅.

    1. 1

      Haha! Mine are 2 and 4. They're now old enough to be engrossed by a pixar movie so if I put one on I can get (some) stuff done, you know, things like laundry, cleaning, etc. 😂

  3. 3

    haha! yeah I think having kids forces us to put automation in place earlier than non parent would maybe...?

  4. 2

    LOL! That’s awesome! I remember those days. Now that my kids are older I AM the one bugging them to hang out! ;-)

    1. 2

      This is why I try to make time for them as often as possible. They grow up so fast.

  5. 2

    I have nearly 2 year old daughter and she never wants me to work :P
    When i'm browsing on phone, she takes it (as if she want to use it) and keep it far away and comeback to me :D

    When i'm working at my desk, she goes under the table and asks for help. Once i try to help her, she catches my legs and climbs on to the chair to grab the keyboard and mouse which are on my computer desk :P :D

    This happens every day :D

    1. 2

      I take this as the universe's way of telling me to get off my phone. If I'm giving my kids attention I shouldn't be on my phone. My attention is the most valuable thing I can give them. The phone, work & internet will still be there in 20 years but the kids will have moved out.

  6. 2

    These are halcyon days! 😁

    1. 2

      Yep, it's the best! After I finished the time-critical tasks I got off my laptop and hung out with them properly. Gave them my full attention. What I love about being a freelancer (and part time bootstrapper) is getting to spend lots of time with them.

      1. 1

        It takes a very special person to navigate those waters, but they are well worth it. It sounds like you’re following your bliss and you’ll, by default, impart that on your kiddos. Rock on man!

  7. 1

    Life of a bootstrap parent hilarious thanks for sharing

  8. 1

    it was a hazelnut
    Lost it. Omg that’s too funny

  9. 1

    Love this story cos I can totally relate with a 2yr old who love to co-type on daddy’s laptop 😂

  10. 1

    This is hilarious. I have a 20 month old so I guess it doesn’t get any easier! Definitely worth it though 😄

    Thanks to your post, I just discovered there’s a group for parents on here. Looking forward to reading more stories like this from other bootstrapping parents 😊.

    1. 2

      We have a 20-month old as well and it's so fun. I keep saying it but this is the perfect age.

  11. 1

    "weirdly shaped almond" 😂

    Great story and impressive effort to get some work done! With kids you get used to working in bite-size chunks pretty quickly.

  12. 1

    This post made my day. Best of luck surviving those snuggle bunny attacks, Chris!

Trending on Indie Hackers
How I grew a side project to 100k Unique Visitors in 7 days with 0 audience 47 comments Competing with Product Hunt: a month later 33 comments Why do you hate marketing? 27 comments $15k revenues in <4 months as a solopreneur 14 comments Use Your Product 13 comments How I Launched FrontendEase 13 comments