How life changed since becoming a dad. Identity shifts, things you miss, things you gained, the transformation of fatherhood.
832 threads
So I was that guy who spent every free weekend hiking, traveling abroad, living out of a van for months at a time. Zero responsibilities, just me and the open road. My friends thou
Before kids I was hitting the gym 5 days a week, meal prepping, had a six pack. It was my thing, my identity for like 15 years. Now with three kids under 8, I'm lucky if I get to t
Used to stay up until 2 AM playing video games and sleeping until noon on weekends. Now I'm excited if I get to bed by 10 and I'm up at 6 no matter what. The crazy part is I don't
Honest question. I miss going to the gym without planning everything around nap schedules. I miss taking trips on a whim. I miss having energy at the end of the day and not being c
Pre-kids me was selfish, always wanted the newest stuff, spent money on stupid things. Now I'm thinking about college funds and life insurance and whether my car is safe enough. I
So I quit my job at the warehouse 2 years ago when my daughter was born. Wife makes enough that we decided I'd stay home. Honestly I didn't know who I was without that job. My whol
Wife wanted more space for the kids so we moved to this suburb outside Denver last year. I was into the city life, quick lunch spots, concerts, whatever. Now I'm mowing a lawn ever
3 years sober now and my oldest just turned 5. I missed his first two years because I was deep in it. His mom gave me a second chance when I got clean and honestly that's what did
Left my corporate job 18 months ago to do freelance consulting. Wife thought I was insane. Some months are tight money-wise and the lack of benefits stresses me out. But I'm actual
I used to be fit, played hockey, felt good about myself. Then the kids came and suddenly I had zero time, was exhausted all the time, gained 40 lbs and didn't even notice until I s
3 years ago I was working 60 hour weeks at a bank, barely saw my kids, and my marriage was falling apart. My wife was doing everything at home. We sat down and did the math and rea
Was headed down a bad path honestly. Partying too much, no real job, living with my parents at 26. Then my girlfriend told me she was pregnant and I had like a week to get my act t
Don't get me wrong, I love my kids and I'm not one of those guys that regrets having them. But man, do I miss the old life sometimes? My buddies still text about going to watch the
Dropped out at 20 because life happened. Always regretted it. Wife encouraged me to finish while working full time and being a dad of three. Took 6 years of nights and weekends but
Looking back at pictures from my drinking days and it's like looking at a stranger. I miss the easy feeling of not caring, I'm not gonna lie. But I don't miss the person I was. I'v
Two years ago I was making good money but barely saw my kids awake during the week. Decided to take the leap and start my own thing. It's been the scariest and best decision I've e
Used to be that guy who said he didn't have time to work out. Now I'm up at 5:30 hitting the gym before work. Lost 40 pounds in 8 months. My kids barely recognize old pictures of m
Moved from Boston to Vermont when the kids were 2 and 4 and it was supposed to be temporary. Six years later we're still here and I barely recognize myself. I was always the guy wh
This might be long but I need to share it somewhere. My oldest is 4 now and I've been sober for 5 years, got clean right when we found out about the pregnancy. The guy I was before
Left my marketing job when my second kid was born and honestly it's been the weirdest identity shift. For 15 years I was that guy who lived for quarterly targets and networking eve