From Party Guy to Dad - Miss the Freedom, Don't Miss the Hangovers

2d ago1 min read

So I'm 38 now and my kids are 6 and 4. Before kids I was that guy who'd hit up bars Thursday through Sunday, sleep til noon, road trips whenever. Could just grab my buddies and go. Now my idea of a wild night is staying up til 11pm watching something without subtitles. Honestly? I miss the freedom sometimes. Miss not planning everything around nap schedules and school pickup times. But man, I don't miss the anxiety hangovers or waking up wondering what I said to people. My kids think I'm the coolest guy alive just because I can do a backflip. That hits different than some drunk girl's number I'd lose anyway. The identity shift was real though. I'm not that guy anymore and some of my old friends don't really get it.

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Comments(2)

JJakeNew Dad2d ago

The hangovers definitely get old faster than the party does. I split custody and those weekends I have the boys are way more fulfilling than random nights out used to be. You find a different kind of freedom in it.

DDavid K.New Dad2d ago

I get the nostalgia hit but honestly the transition pays dividends. My weekends with the boys count for something now instead of just being a blur. You'll settle into it and realize you don't actually miss the old routine as much as you thought.