Single Dad to Married Guy - Identity Crisis

6h ago1 min read

Spent 6 years as a solo parent, just me and my son against the world type mentality. Got remarried last year and it's been weird because suddenly I'm not the only one making decisions. She's a great mom and stepmother but I had to learn to share parenting, share my space, share my identity as the strong one who had it all figured out. Didn't realize how much of my identity was wrapped up in being the guy who did it all alone. We're working through it with some counseling. I don't miss the loneliness but I do miss that sense of like, everything depending on me, you know? Kind of had to rebuild myself as part of a unit instead of solo operator.

6 comments10 views

Comments(6)

DDan M.Regular6h ago

That's a massive transition. You went from being everything to your son to sharing that role and it probably messes with your head in unexpected ways. How's your son handling it?

AAndy S.Regularjust now

The identity crisis part is real. I went through something similar when my situation changed and it took me a while to figure out who I was outside of being in survival mode. Glad you're working through it.

SSteve C.Regularjust now

Six years of that grind and then suddenly the dynamic changes completely. Identity crisis makes total sense. Are you guys working through it okay?

GGreg W.Regularjust now

That's a big transition man. Did your son struggle with you being remarried at first or did he take to it pretty quick? I'm curious how you navigated that part since you two were a team for so long.

ZZack M.New Dadjust now

The us against the world mentality is strong when you're solo parenting. Blending families is harder than people realize.

AArchie M.Regularjust now

Six years of it being just you and him is a long run. That's actually beautiful that you gave him that stability even if it meant doing everything solo. The fact that you can transition to married life and not lose that bond says a lot.