What I miss most about life before kids

1w ago1 min read

Free time. Just being real, nothing else comes close. The ability to read a book without interruption, go to the gym without arranging coverage, sleep until 9am on Sunday. My wife and I used to travel constantly and now we haven't been on a trip in three years. That said, I also wouldn't trade the conversations with my kids or the weird pride I feel watching them learn things. It's just a totally different life and some days I grieve the old one.

9 comments200 views

Comments(9)

CChris T.Regular1w ago

Free time is real. I miss long car drives with no destination, just thinking. Now every car ride is 'are we there yet' every 5 minutes. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids, but yeah the silence is something else.

BBradRegular1w ago

Honestly though once you get past the early years it comes back in little bursts. I started finding those pockets again when mine got older. Still not the same but you learn to appreciate 20 minutes in a way you never did before.

NNolan D.New Dad1w ago

Yeah man, that uninterrupted reading time was peak luxury. I miss just sitting with a book for hours. These days I get like 10 minutes before someone needs something.

CChris M.Regular1w ago

Free time hits different when you have kids. Like I remember what it felt like to just do nothing and now that seems like a superpower. But I wouldn't trade what I have now for it back.

CChris T.Regular1w ago

Free time hits different when you're a dad. I fantasize about just sitting at a coffee shop doing nothing. But then I remember how much I'd miss my kids and the guilt kicks in. It's complicated.

LLucasRegular1w ago

The only quiet hour I get is early in the morning before anyone wakes up. I'm talking 5am with coffee. It's become my thing. Might be worth trying if you haven't already.

RRick M.Regular1w ago

Man, this hits different. I used to be able to sit down with a book for like 3 hours straight. Now I'm lucky if I get through a page before someone needs something. The interruptions aren't even bad things, it's just constant.

CChristopher M.New Dad1w ago

Man I get it. Miss those uninterrupted book sessions. Even now with two kids I barely get through a chapter before someone needs something. But I gotta say, the trade off isn't too bad.

MMikeRegular1w ago

The trade off is real but I try to remind myself that this stage doesn't last forever. In a few years they'll be more independent and I'll get some of that back. Still doesn't make the missing it any less valid though.