How to train Jiu Jitsu with a growing family

I keep seeing posts about new dads and Jiu Jitsu and worried about how much time they'll have to take off from training. So I thought I'd explain my journey. 

Story time:

After my daughter was born 3 and a half years ago (as of writing) it was like somebody took my world and flipped it upside down. Terrifying, exciting, wonderful, bewildering. Life would literally never be the same again. 

She was born in the summer and I worked a full time job from home. I was used to training 4 times a week, surfing often and was learning to snowboard. So to take some time off from anything was a shocker. Naturally 5 days into my parental leave I headed back to the gym and had a pretty gruelling Gi session. I'd already been surfing that week and looking back I was a bit selfish on my wife, trying to force out time for my hobbies that I clung onto (and still cling onto).

With one child, you can split the responsibility a bit. I no longer trained 4 nights a week, unless Mam and Child were away somewhere and I could sneak an extra session in. 

I did however began managing my training sessions more effectively. In the past where my four sessions would probably be 3 evenings and one daytime on a weekend, I forced myself to go to two classes a week, usually midweek on an evening, then I began teaching a class on a Thursday morning. Thursdays worked well for us on the calendar, it meant I could get up early, be out of the house and get another session in at 6.30am. A bit brutal but well worth it, as by teaching a class you actually level up your game considerably, you really have to focus on the technique, break it down and understand what it is you're doing. 

If you're expecting, then first and foremost, be there for your family. Everyone says it and it's true, but you don't get the time back. The other thing is, I wanted to get back to Jiu Jitsu selfishly for me and my own headspace, but I also want to show my kids that training (anything) consistently over time leads to good results. Eventually I will be a blackbelt, they'll see that and understand that it takes time and sacrifice. You're allowed to be away from your kids for a night to get a training session in. 

They'll follow your example. They don't want to see you old and weak and giving up on the things that excited you, chances are they might want to do it with you too. 

Take care of your family, but show how you can be exceptional and they will be exceptional too. 

Enjoy the ride. 

Rick