What kind of work did you do and how did you get involved? I’m curious how stuff gets organized in an anarchist coding collective too (sounds like I’m making a joke, but I’m not!)
As others have pointed out, you could put this interest to good use. What I would like to know is why you want to get over the obsession - is it stopping you doing things you want to be doing?
A few family members and colleagues are autistic and have “obsessive” special interests. Some of them are very useful in helping them forge their path in life and some cause trouble. I have a colleague who has needed some very strict workplace boundaries to be able to function without his other interests stopping him being productive. Not suggesting you are autistic, just underscoring I’d like to know what friction this interest causes you.
Scratch jr on the iPad is ok for a 5 year old and the 3 year old may enjoy watching on - perhaps watch a really short tutorial together (or to see what to do yourself, then show them)
When I started with my twins at 7, we did a scratch tutorial and I drove, and typed. We watched the tutorial on YouTube on the tv, we’d pause, then I’d type and try it.
This was to make it easy to get through a whole tutorial and remove barriers to entry. Then after they enjoyed that, I’d sit at a desktop with them while they drove and help them switch from tutorial to scratch.
Then when we wanted to do something non tutorial based I drove first while we made up what to do - then they were able to start doing it themselves.
Now they’re so into it we got them double monitors so they can easily watch tutorials alongside implementing (or like my own process make notes on one screen, implement on the others).
Thank you for this recommendation!
I’d love to see more content like this too. Also I’d love to see more exploration of how those of us with young kids or other caring responsibilities can get a better balance and still keep pursuing learning for its’ own sake.
I find it so interesting that you did this! Have you blogged about what you did? I’d love to read it. On one hand it has viral feel good ending (net current partner) but it also seems like something you’d cool criticism for so I understand if you’d prefer to keep the details on the down low.
Can you tell us more about what they do well? I’m a dev who has often been encouraged to consider management but I’ve scared of the Peter Principle. I’m keen to learn from good examples.