1st Time Dad - HEEELLPP!!

[ODB]

I use an inReach. But I’ll tell you, if you haven’t started working on your philosophy about life and death, start now. By that I mean coming to terms with missing things your kids do, or them missing you, or them getting very sick or you getting very sick while you are away from them.

Sounds like a joke or a bunch of voodoo, but for too long I felt I was indispensable and had to “what if” every little thing to the point it for in the way of making a decisions. Analysis paralysis. In the last year or two (my kid is now 14) I have finally gotten to the point that I know I’m not necessary for her success. That’s a sobering thing to do: raise your kid/family with your own obsolescence in mind, but it has changed life around these parts, for the better. Just yesterday a VERY good friend was over and said “you seem way more chill than usual, you OK?” I explained it to him; the almost fatalistic attitude I’ve adopted and he said, yup, that’s it. And went on to explain how it matches some
Buddhist concepts about life.

A digression...but just some unsolicited advice from an older dude who has been there...

Good luck.

 

[Dos Perros]

I use an inReach. But I’ll tell you, if you haven’t started working on your philosophy about life and death, start now. By that I mean coming to terms with missing things your kids do, or them missing you, or them getting very sick or you getting very sick while you are away from them.

Sounds like a joke or a bunch of voodoo, but for too long I felt I was indispensable and had to “what if” every little thing to the point it for in the way of making a decisions. Analysis paralysis. In the last year or two (my kid is now 14) I have finally gotten to the point that I know I’m not necessary for her success. That’s a sobering thing to do: raise your kid/family with your own obsolescence in mind, but it has changed life around these parts, for the better. Just yesterday a VERY good friend was over and said “you seem way more chill than usual, you OK?” I explained it to him; the almost fatalistic attitude I’ve adopted and he said, yup, that’s it. And went on to explain how it matches some
Buddhist concepts about life.

A digression...but just some unsolicited advice from an older dude who has been there...

Good luck.

That's kinda the whole point of parenthood, right? I think I can say I did my job if my kids are productive members of society and put more into it than they take out of it. A lot of cognitive development happens before they're even 5 or 6 years old, "hard wires" I call them. I can be pretty particular about the what and why of parenting now (young kids), but at some point I know there will be things I can't change or even influence about them. Then it will be up to them to confront this world with their hand of cards and play their very best. Ultimately, as long as they care for others and try hard at stuff I think they'll be happy in life.

 

[unchained]

If you are going out after 9/20 and feel like swinging through Wisconsin you can grab mine. It will be active until the end of the month. I know the feeling with 2 young kids.

 

[Takem]

Quick question for all that recommended the inreach, I was reading some reviews and they were saying whoever you are sending messages to needs the app, is that correct? also, how is the GPS function on it?

That is not true. My wife receives the messages as a standard text from different number than my own. The texting has worked very well for me. I haven't really looked at the GPS function much. I use ONX on the phone.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

I have an 8 yr old born 9/3 and a 13yr old born 9/11 and I have been married for 16 yrs...get some sort of 2 way coms device.

 

[schmalzy]

I’ve got two under 5 and a third coming thanksgiving-ish. Inreach mini paired with iPhone works great. Spend the money and get you MIL or her sister or best friend (someone) to give her a hand and keep her company. Worked out really well for me. Easy to say and harder to do, but don’t overthink too much.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Scottyboy]

As a dad to twin 4yo girls, I would day connect as much as you can; if not for your better half...but the kid(s). I sneak away about 4-5 weeks a year for hunting, I make it a point to check in with the family, mainly the kids. My wife gets why I’m done, the kids not so much.

 

[Mosby]

My father in law passed away while I was in NM on a fly fishing trip. Didn't call home for three days. My wife was great about it but I felt awful.

In reach is a good idea. I would also have someone stay with your wife while your gone.
Knowing about a problems and being able to help are two different things. Having someone with her is important.

 

[DEJaca]

So far have been fortunate enough to have cell service where I hunt. My wife's aunt and uncle had a sat phone that tbey used while on the Imnaha River at their cabin. Sounds like the InReach may be the "new" version of the sat phone?

 

[BKhunter]

If you are going out after 9/20 and feel like swinging through Wisconsin you can grab mine. It will be active until the end of the month. I know the feeling with 2 young kids.

Appreciate the offer, but this year is just a points building year for me. Want to be around for the birth and first few months.

 

[unchained]

Appreciate the offer, but this year is just a points building year for me. Want to be around for the birth and first few months.

No problem. I used to rent it out for free, other than shipping and whatever package someone selected, but it got to be too much running to the post office.

 

[Ponderosafire]

Thanks to everyone who replied on this thread. I'm in a similar situation and had the same question. Will be looking into the inreach

 

[kscreekguy]

I did my first big backcountry hunt from Kansas to Colorado when my boy was 2. I was gone ten days. My wife is pretty chill, my mother and law came to the house for a few days and I was with her uncle in the mountains. Cell service was a hour sxs ride, so only check in every few days. She sure was happy for me to be home. Next time inreach for me. Temper your expectations early on aS new father as far as getting out. It will come again after a few years.

 

[mattbjo]

Inreach is the best money you can spend to keep a wife happy when you are away hunting In the back country

 

[Two Roads]

Hard to fathom now, but if you do it all right, you will want to go back and have more time. I got up for al lthe feedings when I was home and I was working high stress 60 hrs. My responsibility, to be there and my wife appreciated that. And when the first one could, we put her in a backpack at 7 months and went duck hunting because we could all do that together. Son came along, same thing and then cap guns, BB guns and gun guns. Managed each first day of school, concerts, athletics, got us to see the world and almost broke the bank, the whole shebang. Was a little easier because my wife is my hunting buddy and now so are the kids. But out of college, real jobs, real life it is not so simple. Miss them every day. And would do it al over again. But not now, we do have those tags to play with. I am telling you, it will roll by, enjoy the journey.

 

[Btucker1384]

Hey All,

My wife and I are having our first child this September (I know poor planning on my part), and while on a backpack trip this weekend with no cell service, I finally realized I need some sort of communication device as not being connecting bothered me with the prospect of something going wrong and me not being there. While this was never an issue before, with a kid on the way my perspective has changed. I have been looking at the garmin inreach, and was wondering if this is what you would all would go with, or if there are better options you would suggest? Thanks in advance!

BK

The inreach is the best option in my opinion. I have two small ones as well and it’s great to communicate with the wife while on the mountain.

 

[KSHunter270]

+1 for inreach