5 years in - don't recognize myself anymore

JakeNew Dad

1w ago·1 min read

Had my second kid 2 years ago and somewhere between school pickups, coaching little league, and just the general chaos I lost myself. Used to be a guy who went to concerts, traveled, played in a band on weekends. Now I'm excited about getting 6 hours of sleep and my idea of fun is a trip to Costco without the kids. I love my family more than anything but I barely remember who I was before all this. Is it supposed to feel this way?

3 comments220 views

Comments(3)

CChristopherNew Dad1w ago

This is real talk right here. I'm two years past my second and I had the same identity crisis. Lost all my gaming time, my gym routine went out the window, and I couldn't remember the last time my wife and I had an actual conversation that wasn't about schedules. But honestly? Starting to come out the other side now. Kids are getting older and more independent. You'll get back to yourself, just different.

DDerekRegular1w ago

Man, I felt this in my soul. Second kid was the tipping point for me too. One day you're the guy who had hobbies and could recognize himself in the mirror, next day you're answering to 'Dad' 47 times before breakfast. It gets better though. Five years in myself and I'm starting to remember what my own interests were.

AAndrew T.New Dad1w ago

The school pickups and coaching killed me too. You're doing the important stuff though. Those little league games and school runs, your kids are gonna remember that forever. The version of yourself you're missing will come back, just maybe not exactly the same.