I am 23, just getting started with the corporate/working world. The way you describe yourself sounds a bit like my Dad. He was a software engineer. So am I. I remember growing up and occasionally getting frustrated with his lack of interests and hobbies (past a certain point), especially when he started developing major chronic illnesses and we stopped going on as many weekend trips.
I lost him 2 years ago.
This comment is the first time I've even remembered that old frustration in many, many years. The moments I think about, and the types of conversations I wish I could still have, have nothing to do with "interesting" hobbies or being "cool".
He passed on his love of reading and we would frequently discuss ideas from his favorite authors. He loved the scorpions and many similar classic rock bands. Some of my favorite memories are us just chatting about those subjects, or things that were important in my life at the time, or current events, or about nothing at all, while doing something else. I wouldn't trade a single one of those for having a "cooler" or more interesting Dad. Now that I am also in the software industry, I wish we could complain (or celebrate the good) about work together. If anything, I wish he was more open about the boring things that went on in his day to day.
If pushing yourself to try new things is a journey you want to go on for yourself, by all means, do so. Your kids would probably find that interesting in and of itself. But don't do it just to "have something to talk about." They will love you for who you are (...eventually, if not now), and be much more interested in what's in your head and what you care about, than seeing that you check off some amorphous checkbook of "still having cool hobbies." If anything, it will probably be more rewarding for them as they grow up to know more and have more access to the person you already are and the things you already care about. You can buy travel and lessons and "interestingness" or get those things from someone else-- but once you're gone, you're gone forever.
It sounds like you're a caring father. You already got it, man. Just show them who you are.
I lost him 2 years ago.
This comment is the first time I've even remembered that old frustration in many, many years. The moments I think about, and the types of conversations I wish I could still have, have nothing to do with "interesting" hobbies or being "cool".
He passed on his love of reading and we would frequently discuss ideas from his favorite authors. He loved the scorpions and many similar classic rock bands. Some of my favorite memories are us just chatting about those subjects, or things that were important in my life at the time, or current events, or about nothing at all, while doing something else. I wouldn't trade a single one of those for having a "cooler" or more interesting Dad. Now that I am also in the software industry, I wish we could complain (or celebrate the good) about work together. If anything, I wish he was more open about the boring things that went on in his day to day.
If pushing yourself to try new things is a journey you want to go on for yourself, by all means, do so. Your kids would probably find that interesting in and of itself. But don't do it just to "have something to talk about." They will love you for who you are (...eventually, if not now), and be much more interested in what's in your head and what you care about, than seeing that you check off some amorphous checkbook of "still having cool hobbies." If anything, it will probably be more rewarding for them as they grow up to know more and have more access to the person you already are and the things you already care about. You can buy travel and lessons and "interestingness" or get those things from someone else-- but once you're gone, you're gone forever.
It sounds like you're a caring father. You already got it, man. Just show them who you are.
Wishing you and your family well.