What I miss about being single, what I've gained as a husband and dad | DadHQ

What I miss about being single, what I've gained as a husband and dad

9h ago1 min read

Got married at 28, had our first kid at 29. Some nights I think about staying out late with the guys or going on random road trips with no plan. That version of me had a lot of freedom and didn't have to worry about anyone else. But man, the stuff I've gained is bigger. The inside jokes with my kids, the partnership with my wife, feeling like I'm building something that actually matters. Yeah I miss spontaneity sometimes but I wouldn't trade this for that life back.

7 comments126 views

Comments(7)

DDanielRegularjust now

The honesty here is refreshing. Those late night thoughts don't make you a bad dad or husband, they're just human. Most of us have moments where we wonder what the other life would have looked like.

TTravisNew Dadjust now

Real talk - you can still have those nights sometimes. Not like before, but my wife and I actually scheduled a late dinner out last month and it felt amazing. You don't have to choose between being a good dad and having your life.

SSteveRegularjust now

But here's the thing, you got married and had a kid on purpose. So when those thoughts come up, it's worth asking yourself what you're really missing. Usually it's not the single life, it's something specific.

MMasonNew Dadjust now

I think every married guy gets these thoughts sometimes. It doesn't mean anything is wrong. What matters is what you do with them. Sounds like you've got clarity on what matters to you.

BBrandonRegularjust now

Respect for being real about this. The grass isn't greener though, it's just different. And kids change the whole equation anyway.

CCarlosRegularjust now

The staying out late thing really resonates. I miss sleeping until 10am on a Saturday. But honestly? Watching my kids at their soccer games fills something that late nights never did. Different kind of satisfaction.

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RRyan M.New Dadjust now

I get it man. Not gonna lie, some nights when the kids are asleep I scroll through old photos from my twenties and think about the freedom. But then I remember how hollow that felt sometimes too. Trade-offs, you know?