[metaphyze]

To everybody posting about not working on a side project because of children, I would ask you to reconsider that if you're truly passionate about something and want to develop it. I've been working on a side project for a few years now. I also have kids and spend a lot of time with them. I've discovered that it's actually very beneficial to spend an extended time working on a project, and by extended time, I don't mean hours every day. I mean stretching the project out over years. For one thing, it gives you the freedom to reconsider solutions and approaches. Work is usually focused on delivering as quickly as possible. It's very refreshing to have the time to consider a problem thoroughly and let it play in your subconscious freely. Also, your kids need time to themselves too so there's no need to feel guilty. But to answer the question, I spend probably 0-15 hours per week, usually working at night after the kids have gone to bed.

[jwr]

Seconded. It took me two years to build my current side project, and that's ok. I am no longer 20, I don't have to rush to do everything in an instant.

I also noticed that because of the slower pace I often avoid solving problems that can be bypassed altogether. When working at a frantic pace I'd often notice that I solved a problem that didn't really need solving.

[osullivj]

Someone once said 90% of problems go away if ignored. In the 19th century British foreign policy coined a phrase for this approach: "masterly inactivity".

[ryandrake]

Yea, around my house the only acceptable time to work on programming side projects is weeknights in the few hours I get after the kiddo falls asleep. I have no plans to release any of these projects, though, mostly because my current employer forbids publishing side projects, so I'm in no rush to get anything done.

Non-programming side projects are fine, though and tend to get done on the weekend! Currently my interest is metalworking but I also like to do woodworking. This stuff is ok with a kid around because she likes to help and get involved. She's 4, so she knows the names of all the tools and can bring them to me. She likes using the shop-vac too. See, this counts as family time, whereas me concentrating and staring at a screen for hours unfortunately counts as "ignoring family" time. :-/

[fuball63]

It took me a long time to realize that letting a hobby project last years is not a bad thing. I've even gone on spurts where I will put it down for several months and pick it back up later. Good code documentation and external documentation is a must.