Does having children have an influence on gambling habits?

[uneng]

Can being a parent change our playing habits? Are losses even harder to bear when you're in charge of a family? What are your experiences in this area?

Of course! When you have children and a family, your expenses are going to rise considerably, so you have to adapt your budget to your new reality in order to not let your family in need. It means you will spend more money with basic stuff, like food, electricity and water bills, medics and medicines for your children, clothing, toys and accessories, day care center fees and so on... That is why the decision of having children, marrying or even having sex should be very well analyzed before executed.

The consequences will be for the rest of your life, and nothing is going to be the same anymore. If you value your freedom, or if you don't have enough financial conditions to give this step in your life, then don't do this. Many people act without thinking carefully, and once they see, they have already commited a big mistake which can't be undone. Then 'adios' to gambling routine, partying out with friends, playing sports frequently and doing what you want when you wish to do.

[PX-Z]

When you have one or more children, you have heavy responsibilities. Sometimes you're on a tight budget. Can being a parent change our playing habits? Are losses even harder to bear when you're in charge of a family? What are your experiences in this area?

Depends on how responsible a person is. Some changes and priorities their family, some don't, some become addicted more due to stress or whatever they experience.

As for me, i'm not a problematic gambler, i gamble like occasional, and it never changed me even i already have a 3 year old buddy.

[Hispo]

I don't have children, but I have a cousin who was pretty much into parlay and sport betting during his single years. Once he got engaged and had two children, he completely quit betting on both football and basketball (his favorite sports to wager money on). So I believe there is indeed an effect about having children and one's gambling habits, the order of priorities simply changes and most of responsible people understand now they must take care of human lives by their own.
If I ever end up having children on my own, I will probably step down on gambling and some video game habits. Though, there is still a long path ahead for me.

This is a story that should be emulated. For anyone looking for the motivation to take this step, he it is.

In my own opinion, I want to believe that there are people who have put an end date to their gambling. No, these people are not gambling addicts. They make a pact with themselves that they would completely quit gambling or reduce their rate of gambling when , they get married, secure an employment, reach at certain age bracket, when they attain a certain social status, that they'll quit. And true to their words, they do it.

As for getting married and having kids, the value a person places on them determines their priority.

It should be emulated if the person believes indeed it is the best thing to do for themselves and also for the well being of their family, yes. Though, someone who has become very used to gamble (responsibly) probably will end missing to wager money as they used to. Going cold turkey on gambling or sport betting is difficult for many of they do not find another hobby to occupy their minds with, so instead going cold turkey, it would be enough to adjust their wager/gambling budget, so it wont affect their family life.
In terms of social status, ironically, I believe that while a person continue to do better economically or socially, they could be more tempted to go back into gambling because of how good things have become in their life.
When comes to age, I believe there is no a specific age to quit gambling, hence why you see the elderly spending much of their day in casinos, in those cases I believe they have become pretty much economically stable or they needs are taken care of by their families.

The story of my cousin is one of someone who managed to be responsible, though, there are better stories out there to make examples out of.

[DabsPoorVersion]

When you have one or more children, you have heavy responsibilities. Sometimes you're on a tight budget. Can being a parent change our playing habits? Are losses even harder to bear when you're in charge of a family? What are your experiences in this area?

Depending on an individual behavior. There are some gamblers who even if they have a lot of children, don't even care about the amount of money they spend on gambling as long as they can spend time gambling that will make them satisfied. Even with the tight budget, they continue to play and try their luck for the possibility to win huge amounts of money.

[Spaceman1000$]

When you have one or more children, you have heavy responsibilities. Sometimes you're on a tight budget. Can being a parent change our playing habits? Are losses even harder to bear when you're in charge of a family? What are your experiences in this area?

Of course being a parent can change your gambling playing habit especially if you are a heavy staker, being a parent will make you reduce your staking power because most times your always on budget, and you know the heavy the staking power the heavy the reward, which parenting wouldn't allow you spend huge amount on gambling, because you have a family to run, and the day to day running of a family is strictly in your hands, so have to adjust your spending limit. Parenting and taking care of a children can also reduce your gamble playing time, especially if your someone that spends much time when gambling, so when kids are involve you definitely have to reduce your time and focus on taking care of your kids and spending time with them.

At first it will be very taxing for you to combine both parenting and creating time for gambling, but over time you will see yourself creating space for gambling time, because you'll be adjusting to a new reality.

[SmartGold01]

I think I have to answer this question correctly because currently I have a daughter and  I know what it takes being a mother and as well gambling, most times when source of income is very low you look for other alternatives to increase your income by gambling with the little you have thinking you would secure winning yet doesn't come through.

Most times it's very hard when you have much kids around because the pressure for needs and wants is always increase and as a responsible parent you would do all your best to keep your family afloat by providing all they wants which also engages you to gamble in order to increase your earnings.
Sometimes those who has family are often becoming more gambling addicts due to their much responsibility and demand from family.

As a Gambler the easiest way to control this is to look for additional work to keep you earning in order to relief you from family pressure and less becoming a gambler otherwise relying on winning from gambling would caused more harm to you because you would always wants to double every little amount that comes into your hands.

[bluebit25]

When you have one or more children, you have heavy responsibilities. Sometimes you're on a tight budget. Can being a parent change our playing habits? Are losses even harder to bear when you're in charge of a family? What are your experiences in this area?

Yep, if you have children, you will have less free time to devote to personal hobbies. So you may have to be selective with your leisure activities and focus on those that you can share with your child or can do quickly in your free time. Responsible for yourself and your family, it is important that you balance your time between all activities. This will help you reduce stress and maintain good mental health, which is important so you can take the best care of your children. When you have children, you have more things to worry about and protect. When you experience loss, you may feel more grief and loss. I think if you are feeling difficult, seek support from your partner, family, friends,... as long as you don't cause yourself to lose control.

[GideonGono]

When you have one or more children, you have heavy responsibilities. Sometimes you're on a tight budget. Can being a parent change our playing habits? Are losses even harder to bear when you're in charge of a family? What are your experiences in this area?

Yes having a family would affect it, specially if you really care about them.
Most of the time you would only think about what they need and what could make them happy, so gambling or personal happiness wouldn't be your priority.
I would rather spend money on my child than to gamble or risk it, that is what I think most of the time when I am being tempted to gamble.
I would also think that the amount I would gamble could be used for my child to buy what they need.

[madnessteat]

When you have one or more children, you have heavy responsibilities. Sometimes you're on a tight budget. Can being a parent change our playing habits? Are losses even harder to bear when you're in charge of a family? What are your experiences in this area?

In my experience, having children changes your outlook on life a lot, and it's not just about gambling. You become more responsible in almost everything.

Before I didn't have children I could spend half of my monthly salary in casinos. Now I don't allow myself such spending as my desires are not as important as my children's lives.

Of course there are people who are not changed even by having children, but it seems to me that this is probably an exception to the rule rather than a pattern.

[alastantiger]

When you have one or more children, you have heavy responsibilities. Sometimes you're on a tight budget. Can being a parent change our playing habits? Are losses even harder to bear when you're in charge of a family? What are your experiences in this area?

When you have kids and you are a responsible father, you know that you are supposed to be a role model to your kids and a leader to your spouse. This thought and mentality alone changes your perspective about life and gambling. While the parent may not quit gambling entirely, you will see that they will reduce their bet size, gambling frequency and other gambling activities. I think could happen intentionally, or just naturally.

Being a parent and gambling means there are serious consequences if you do not straighten up your life. One of which is the loss of your family. No man would ever like to experience this.

[Iroh]

I think for a lot of people, children are the reality check that is needed for the individual to turn over a new leaf and become more responsible with his actions and habits.
Infants and young children require a great deal of care and attention and they’ve got a whole lot old needs that has to be provided. Someone irresponsible just cannot juggle between being a good parent and being at the casino gambling.
Read a thread way back about a father who was supposed to watch over the kids but still left them to go gamble.

If you’re purely an irresponsible individual, having kids won’t change anything.

[Kelvinid]

When you have one or more children, you have heavy responsibilities. Sometimes you're on a tight budget. Can being a parent change our playing habits? Are losses even harder to bear when you're in charge of a family? What are your experiences in this area?

If you are a responsible father, I couldn't think we have to spend more money and time on gambling but rather give priority to our family and kids. If you are a heavy gambler before, that will really be changed.

I'm not in that kind of experience but I know how to control my gambling habits even though I have no big family yet. For the word responsible, it means a lot, and even though we only have 1 kid, I don't think we need to wait to compromise our finances before controlling our gambling habits. It was not a good idea nor we should have to experience that thing before we realized our wrong financial practices.

[Fivestar4everMVP]

I think for a lot of people, children are the reality check that is needed for the individual to turn over a new leaf and become more responsible with his actions and habits.
Infants and young children require a great deal of care and attention and they’ve got a whole lot old needs that has to be provided. Someone irresponsible just cannot juggle between being a good parent and being at the casino gambling.
Read a thread way back about a father who was supposed to watch over the kids but still left them to go gamble.

If you’re purely an irresponsible individual, having kids won’t change anything.

Well, people change actually, and there is nothing like being an purely irresponsible person, the father who left his two year olds kids to go gambling did that on his own, it's his habit or character, and we can't because of that, conclude that people don't change from their old ways to being better when the need arises and they care.

I've seen hardcore criminals whom the world believed will never change, but surprisingly, they got married, had children, and the men completely changed for they of their children, like one confessed, he said he just wanted to be there for his boy, watch him grow into an adult and be there to correct him any time the boy tries to go the wrong way, since he himself have being there in all and have seen there is no benefits in such lifestyle.

Some parents who gambling have destroyed their lives, or have seen gambling destroy other people's live, destroy their homes and so on, and do not wish or want same to happen to their own family will definitely change, either by reducing the way the gamble, or stopping gambling completely, so as to be able to give his or her family the complete attention they deserve.

[electronicash]

I think for a lot of people, children are the reality check that is needed for the individual to turn over a new leaf and become more responsible with his actions and habits.
Infants and young children require a great deal of care and attention and they’ve got a whole lot old needs that has to be provided. Someone irresponsible just cannot juggle between being a good parent and being at the casino gambling.
Read a thread way back about a father who was supposed to watch over the kids but still left them to go gamble.

If you’re purely an irresponsible individual, having kids won’t change anything.

Well, people change actually, and there is nothing like being an purely irresponsible person, the father who left his two year olds kids to go gambling did that on his own, it's his habit or character, and we can't because of that, conclude that people don't change from their old ways to being better when the need arises and they care.

I've seen hardcore criminals whom the world believed will never change, but surprisingly, they got married, had children, and the men completely changed for they of their children, like one confessed, he said he just wanted to be there for his boy, watch him grow into an adult and be there to correct him any time the boy tries to go the wrong way, since he himself have being there in all and have seen there is no benefits in such lifestyle.

Some parents who gambling have destroyed their lives, or have seen gambling destroy other people's live, destroy their homes and so on, and do not wish or want same to happen to their own family will definitely change, either by reducing the way the gamble, or stopping gambling completely, so as to be able to give his or her family the complete attention they deserve.

criminals turned to be responsible after having a family sounds better than that father who left his 2-year-old kid. i remember that thread. he won actually but too late, his neighbor already reported him to the authorities.

new parents i think yes will change his gambling behavior, he may even quit on the spot because he knows the hard part is yet to come. fathers think of the future and want to ensure their kids will have a better chance of getting success in life.

me for example, the only coins i gamble are the ones i also earn from staking. its all just extra and sometimes the free spins. 

[chaser15]

When you have one or more children, you have heavy responsibilities. Sometimes you're on a tight budget. Can being a parent change our playing habits? Are losses even harder to bear when you're in charge of a family? What are your experiences in this area?

No one knows. There are even broken families because of gambling as a main reason.

 Sometimes, gambling habit becomes even worse too after having an own family. If it's just simple to change a person's too much addiction to gambling, we shouldn't see families today having gambling as one of the big problems they encounter in their everyday lives.

The change in gambling habits will depend on how serious and responsible the person is to change for good.

[Slow death]

In my opinion, the important rule is: only play with money you can afford to lose. It works for all scenarios, for example if you have a very young child and other children and you see that the bills are very tight, then in this scenario it is best that the person should do and stay away from gambling because paying bills is a priority, and If a person wants to play then they need to make an effort to earn more money to pay the bills and have more money left over to play. I always say that people shouldn't look at games as the only forms of fun that exist in the world, if a person doesn't have money to play, then that person can find other ways that are less expensive to have fun.

example of a person who has children because they spend more time having fun with their children, they can play video games, they can play cards with their wife, they can take their children to the beach, they can take their children to the animal park, these are cheap things that a person can do it to have fun, many people get depressed because they are not playing, they keep crying and complaining because they are not playing as if games were the only forms of fun that exist. I've even been wondering why people keep thinking that gambling is the only way to have fun? The only explanation I can see is that people know there are other forms of fun, but they want to gamble because they are dreaming of high profits

[GxSTxV]

Gambling is known to be an addictive activity where most of people spend huge amounts of money impulsively.

Now for a single person,  it can be bearable as the person who gambles is responsible on his own self and can manage the losses he receives sometimes. But for a person who is responsible on his family especially if he has kids it is risky to have gambling habits.

In my opinion, a gambler should always know how to stop and when to stop,  for a case like this when you get to the age of making a family you should be stable by then having enough money to provide for your family being away of anything that is risky.

[Rockstarguy]

When you have one or more children, you have heavy responsibilities. Sometimes you're on a tight budget. Can being a parent change our playing habits? Are losses even harder to bear when you're in charge of a family? What are your experiences in this area?

I think this is the same ignorance that gamblers go into thinking that they can generate money in gambling.  Gambling is unpredictable, and the worst thing is to have a mindset that money can be generated from gambling. Gambling is always dangerous when you expect so much from gambling win . I will not advice one to see gambling as form generating money to depend on  because depending in gambling to make money can lead one in getting addicted and it is so dangerous to expect much from gambling as a source of income.  Gambling lifestyle like this has led many people into problem that .

I think it is better to get something else a hustle than thinking of taking gambling as a source of income,  gambling should be seen as a fun and not away to generate steady income because it is impossible to make money from gambling always.

[killerfrost]

Before you were a parent, your spending might have been like a pie chart with a big slice for hobbies like gambling. But when the little one arrives, that pie chart gets a whole lot more complex. New slices pop up for childcare, education, and all sorts of other stuff. Naturally, the "gambling" slice gets smaller, not because it's suddenly bad, but because other things become more important.

Being a parent also means being a role model, and nobody wants their kid to associate gambling with bad feelings or losing control. So, even if you enjoy it, it's important to do it responsibly and keep those negative emotions in check around the kiddos.

Different cultures also have different views on gambling. Some see it as a harmless way to unwind, while others might consider it a no-go. These cultural norms can definitely influence how parents see gambling, especially if they want to raise their kids within those values.

Ultimately, it's all about finding balance. Parenthood doesn't mean giving up everything you enjoy, but it does mean being mindful and making sure your hobbies, like gambling responsibly, don't come at the expense of your family's well-being.

[Becassine]

Thank you for all your answers, it took me a long time to read them all. Now for a second question: it seems that more men than women play, could this have something to do with managing the family budget? Would mothers be more involved in managing the family budget?

PS: and I've seen the question passed around: I have two boys and I saw BTC at $800, but I considered then that it wasn't reasonable at the time.