Who I thought I'd be as a dad vs reality
I had this whole thing planned. Regular bedtimes, healthy meals, limited screen time, educational activities. My kids are 4 and 6. Yesterday we had chicken nuggets for dinner and w
DDerek S.111 views
64
How life changed since becoming a dad. Identity shifts, things you miss, things you gained, the transformation of fatherhood.
550 threads
I had this whole thing planned. Regular bedtimes, healthy meals, limited screen time, educational activities. My kids are 4 and 6. Yesterday we had chicken nuggets for dinner and w
After the divorce I had to figure out how to be a full time parent when I'd always been the guy who worked and let my ex handle most of the stuff. Suddenly I'm packing lunches, doi
Did 8 years in the Army and that was my whole identity. When I got out I had no idea who I was without it. Found out I was a dad though and that became my new mission basically. Ha
Probably insane but I decided to finish my degree while managing 50/50 custody of my kids. It's been a year and it's been absolutely exhausting. I study during my off weeks and whe
My girlfriend got pregnant and I was terrified. Thought my life was over. Now my daughter is 3 and I can't imagine life without her. I actually want to be home instead of out with
I was working 60 hour weeks at a finance job that I hated. Missed so much of my kids growing up. My wife had a good job so we made the call 2 years ago for me to stay home. First f
I was a total meathead before my son was born. Stayed out late, spent money on stupid stuff, didn't think about the future at all. Then suddenly I'm responsible for another human b
Left my job as a project manager making good money to stay home with the kids while my wife went back to work full time. Best decision I ever made but man do I miss adult conversat
Used to be that guy at every party pounding beers, missing kids events because I was hungover, always had an excuse. Got tired of my wife's disappointed face and decided to actuall
Wife wanted to be closer to her parents so we picked up and moved to rural Montana from NYC. The quiet is NICE but dude I miss pizza that doesn't suck, having options for anything,
Spent 20 years working construction, always felt like I was missing something. Decided to go back and get my business degree, took me 5 years juggling work and school and being a d
When my first kid was born I was almost 280 pounds. Realized I was too tired and too heavy to keep up with him. Spent the last three years hitting the gym before work and cutting o
Five years ago I was sleeping til noon on weekends and eating cereal for dinner. Now I'm up at 6am making packed lunches and thinking about college savings plans. Honestly miss the
Used to commute an hour each way, missed everything. My kids barely knew me. Got a remote job two years ago and honestly it changed everything. I'm home for lunch, I see them after
Me and my wife used to be those couple that went out every weekend, traveled, just lived for ourselves. Had our first kid at 28 and everything flipped overnight. We barely have tim
I was overweight, depressed, out of shape. My kids were embarrassed to go places with me. Started working out 5am before they woke up, totally changed my diet. Lost 80 pounds over
Got my girlfriend pregnant at 24 when I was basically just a manchild. Spent my 20s doing stupid stuff, never thought about consequences. When my daughter was born I realized I cou
Five years ago I was that guy pulling 60 hour weeks, missed my kids's soccer games, always on my phone at dinner. Got promoted to senior manager and realized I was miserable and my
Started at 280 pounds and completely out of shape. Couldn't play catch with my kids without getting winded. Joined a gym three years ago just to prove I could do something for myse
Used to spend every night at the bar. Lost two jobs, almost lost my marriage, almost lost my kids. My wife gave me one last ultimatum and something clicked. That was ten years ago.