How life changed since becoming a dad. Identity shifts, things you miss, things you gained, the transformation of fatherhood.
559 threads
Got divorced when my son was 4. Thought my family was ruined. Spent 5 years co-parenting as best I could, feeling like I failed. Then met my now wife who has two kids. Suddenly I'm
I left my job as an account manager making decent money to be home with the kids full time when my second was born. Best and hardest decision ever. I miss the structure, the payche
Sold my condo last year and bought a house with actual yard space. Had it set up exactly how I wanted it for ten years. Now there's toys everywhere, walls have scuff marks, the sme
Before kids I could sleep until noon, go to bed whenever, nap whenever. My schedule was completely mine. Now I'm up at 6 AM whether I want to be or not. Going to bed early because
Had a kid two years ago and honestly the life change hit me hard at first. Used to be out Friday through Sunday doing whatever. Now my idea of a perfect weekend is making pancakes,
Used to be known in my circle as the guy with the motorcycle, the one who was always doing something crazy or spontaneous. Got married, had kids, and that identity just evaporated.
Took a job with less pay but way better hours so I could be home by 5:30. Before I was doing the corporate grind, leaving at 6am getting home at 7pm, weekends were for catching up
Spent 15 years as the fat dad who couldn't keep up with his kids at the park. Could barely walk up stairs without getting winded. Had my heart scare at 42, doc said my cholesterol
Used to be that guy who'd stay up till 3am on Saturday, sleep till noon Sunday, repeat. Now I'm up at 6am on weekends whether I like it or not because my 4 year old doesn't underst
Not gonna get into details but I was a mess. My kids barely knew me. Now I'm coaching soccer, actually remembering conversations, and my 7 year old doesn't flinch when I come home.
Left my job in finance two years ago when my wife got a promotion. Honestly thought I'd hate it but man, I don't miss the 6am commute or stress eating at my desk. The weird part is
Had all these plans, was gonna backpack Europe, finish college without worrying about anything. Then my girlfriend got pregnant and honestly the first year was dark. But somehow be
Three years of barely being home. Kids grew up without me really knowing them. Got laid off during covid and took a remote job out of desperation. Now I get to drop them at school,
So I quit my job 2 years ago and honestly it's been the biggest identity crisis and blessing at the same time. I was making good money as a project manager, wore the suits, had the
Been thinking about posting this for a while. Got down to my goal weight last month after 2.5 years of basically living at the gym and obsessing over macros. Everyone's proud of me
Converted about 8 months ago and it's been weird. My parents think I joined a cult, my friends don't call as much, and I lost the whole identity I had of being the rational skeptic
Left my job at a tech company making decent money to stay home with the kids when my wife got promoted. Honestly thought I'd hate it but man, I don't miss the 6am commute or the me
Used to be the guy who knew all the breweries and could crush a six pack on a Tuesday. Now I don't know what to do with my hands at barbecues. The dad identity got lost somewhere b
Started hitting the gym last year because I couldn't pick up my 4-year-old without my back killing me. Now I'm actually jacked for the first time since college. The shift is weird
This is random but I was looking through old pics last night. Pre-kids me was always out, always organizing trips, always the center of attention at parties. Had a different girl e