The Struggles and Joys of Being a Freelance IT Consultant, Indie Game Developer, and Father

Balancing the responsibilities of a freelance IT consultant, an indie game developer, and a father is a challenging yet profoundly rewarding journey. Living in Brazil with my wife and our spirited 10-year-old daughter, we have found that the worlds of technology, game development, and parenthood often intertwine in unexpected and delightful ways. Here’s a glimpse into this warm, realistic, and inviting experience.

The Early Morning Routine

Waking Up Before Dawn

My day starts at 3:30 AM. As a freelance IT consultant working remotely for European companies, the time difference necessitates an early start. The house is quiet, and the darkness outside is my cue to dive into the world of IT. The early hours are dedicated to tackling complex IT challenges, troubleshooting, and consulting with clients across the globe.

Morning Break and Family Time

Around 8:00 AM, it’s time for a break and breakfast. My daughter joins me, often bright-eyed and full of stories about her latest adventures in Roblox or her ideas for our game projects. Breakfast is a precious time to connect and share our morning routines. Once we finish eating, it’s homework time. We sit together, discussing school assignments and ensuring she’s ready for her afternoon classes.

Transitioning Roles

Dropping Off at School

My workday typically ends around noon, just in time to take my daughter to school. Sometimes we take the car, especially on scorching hot days, but we prefer walking when the weather is pleasant... well I actually prefer to walk while she likes the car rides better. But these walks are our special moments, filled with conversations about her day, our game projects, and life in general.

Focus Time for Game Development

With my daughter at school, the afternoon provides a window of focused time for game development. My freelance IT work funds our game projects, allowing us to create without financial pressure. Currently, we’re working on a larger puzzle game called Space Dwarfs Odyssey. My daughter contributes sketches and level designs, her creativity far surpassing my own. Our previous game, Deceptus, is available on Steam for free, a testament to our collaborative efforts.

Evening Routine

Picking Up from School

Evenings are marked by the routine of picking my daughter up from school. We catch up on her day and discuss new ideas for our game. Dinner preparation follows, where the kitchen becomes a place of learning and bonding. We cook together, often talking about game design concepts and how to improve our current project.

Family Time and Game Development

After dinner, we have our family time. This is when we sit down to talk about our game, showing her progress on Space Dwarfs Odyssey. My daughter’s excitement is contagious. She eagerly shares her latest sketches and level designs. We brainstorm together, turning ideas into tangible game elements. Her contributions are invaluable, often sparking new directions and improvements.

Roblox Adventures

Of course, no evening is complete without some time spent on Roblox. My daughter loves building her own Obbys, immersing herself in the creative process. I watch her work, marveling at her creativity and the ease with which she navigates the platform. Her passion for game creation is evident, and it’s inspiring to see her skills grow day by day.

The Joys and Struggles of Teaching Game Design

Sparking Interest and Creativity

Introducing my daughter to game design has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of our relationship. Her curiosity about what I do led us to create together. Starting with simple tools like Scratch and progressing to more complex projects, she has developed a keen interest and impressive skills. Teaching her is about more than just coding; it’s about fostering creativity, problem-solving abilities, and resilience.

Patience and Perseverance

One of the biggest challenges is maintaining patience. Game development can be frustrating, especially for a child. Explaining complex concepts in an understandable and engaging way requires creativity and a lot of patience. There are moments of frustration when something doesn’t work as expected, but these are teaching opportunities about perseverance and the iterative nature of design.

Finding Inspiration in Each Other

Mutual Growth and Learning

Teaching my daughter game design has been a mutual learning experience. Her fresh perspective often brings new ideas to my projects. She approaches problems with simplicity and creativity that is refreshing. Her suggestions have led to breakthroughs in my work, and I strive to instill in her the values of hard work, persistence, and the joy of creating something from scratch.

Shared Successes and Failures

Sharing the successes and failures of game development creates a deeper bond. Celebrating the release of a new game or a feature feels more meaningful when shared with her. Similarly, discussing setbacks and how to overcome them teaches valuable life lessons. We learn together that failure is not the end but a stepping stone to success.

Looking to the Future

Nurturing a Passion

As my daughter grows, I hope to nurture her passion for game design. Whether she chooses to pursue it as a career or keeps it as a hobby, the skills and values she learns will benefit her in many ways. Creativity, problem-solving, and resilience are invaluable traits in any field.

My Personal Journey

For me, being a freelance IT consultant, an indie game developer, and a father is about more than balancing demanding roles. It’s about integrating them into a cohesive, fulfilling life. It’s about teaching and learning, creating and nurturing, struggling and succeeding together.

Conclusion

The journey of being a freelance IT consultant, indie game developer, and father is filled with unique challenges and profound joys. It requires balancing work and family, teaching and learning, and navigating the ups and downs of both worlds. Yet, it is a deeply rewarding experience that fosters creativity, resilience, and a strong bond between father and daughter. In the end, it’s these shared experiences and the cozy, intimate moments that make it all worthwhile.