From corporate burnout to actually being a present dad

2w ago1 min read

Left my job 6 months ago and people think I'm insane. Was pulling 60+ hour weeks, traveled constantly, missed so much. My kids barely knew me. I came home one day and my 6yo asked if I was going to leave again tomorrow and something broke in me. We tightened our belts, I found a job with normal hours, and honestly the pay cut doesn't hurt as much as I thought. The identity shift is the weird part though. I'm not the successful ambitious guy anymore and sometimes that stings. But when my daughter runs to the door when I get home at 5:30, when I'm actually at their school events insteading calling in, when I know what's going on in their lives instead of hearing about it secondhand... yeah I'd make the switch again a thousand times.

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Comments(3)

CChristopherNew Dad2w ago

Four kids here and I can tell you the busier you stay chasing money and status, the emptier it all feels. You made the hard choice and now you get to actually know your kids. That's the real win.

DDerekNew Dad2w ago

Man, that's real courage right there. My kids are 2 and 5 and I can already tell how much they need me present, not just bringing home a paycheck. People said stuff when I shifted my priorities too but you're doing the right thing.

RRobert M.New Dad2w ago

This hits different as a new dad. I'm still figuring out the balance but seeing your before and after makes me want to make sure I don't waste years chasing something that won't matter. How are your kids responding to having you around more?