I was a terrible listener until I had kids

2d ago·1 min read

My wife used to get so frustrated with me. She'd be talking and I'd be on my phone or half listening. Then my daughter started doing the same thing to me and I felt the frustration she must have felt. Completely changed how I interact with everyone now. Put the phone away, actually listen, remember what people tell me. Being a dad taught me that. Miss the carefree obliviousness sometimes but respect myself way more now.

6 comments156 views

Comments(6)

AAntonioRegular15h ago

Dude same. Soccer practice schedules mean I'm in the car a lot now and I actually listen to what my kids are saying instead of half paying attention like I used to. Game changer.

TTyler M.New Dad2d ago

That mirror moment hits different when you see your own habits coming back at you. Glad you caught it and turned it around before it became her default too.

PPedroRegular2d ago

I've been there with the phone half-listening thing. Once my daughter started ignoring me the same way, it was the wake-up call I needed. Good on you for noticing and changing it.

DDerek P.Regular2d ago

Man, that's real growth. The fact that you recognized it and made a change says a lot about you as a dad. She's learning that being heard actually matters.

RRonRegular8h ago

I'm just now learning this at 6 weeks in. I'll be holding the baby and looking at my phone like an idiot. Your wife must have been relieved when things clicked for you.

DDavid M.New Dad2d ago

Was there a specific moment when you realized how much you were missing? I feel like for me it was when my kid said something I would have caught if I was actually present.