How life changed since becoming a dad. Identity shifts, things you miss, things you gained, the transformation of fatherhood.
832 threads
This is the biggest change for me. I was always worried about looking cool, having the right stuff, saying the right things at work. Then I became a dad and honestly that all fell
Pre-kids me and the wife would just decide at 10pm to drive somewhere random, catch a late movie, go out to eat whenever. Now everything needs planning. Doctor appointments, school
Man, I don't even recognize myself sometimes. Used to spend Friday nights hitting up bars with the guys, sleeping till noon on weekends, road trips whenever I felt like it. Now I'm
Realized I couldn't keep up with my kids at the park. Started eating better, going to the gym early before work. Wife's more attracted to me, I feel better, my kids see me exercisi
Got the big job at work I'd been chasing for like 5 years. More money, bigger office, managing a team. Sounds great right? First year was amazing. Year two I realized I was missing
Five years ago I was going out every weekend, sleeping til noon, just doing whatever. Now I'm the guy making lunches at 6am, coaching little league, worried about teacher conferenc
Spent 6 years as a solo parent, just me and my son against the world type mentality. Got remarried last year and it's been weird because suddenly I'm not the only one making decisi
At 35 I was 280 pounds, pre-diabetic, couldn't play with my kids without getting winded. Did the whole transformation thing over two years, now I'm 185 and actually healthy. The cr
Left my corporate job making good money to take a position that pays less but has flexible hours. My boss was shocked. Money's tighter now for sure. We had to cut back on some stuf
Took a job offer that meant leaving everything behind. Wife wasn't sure about it, kids didn't want to go. But here we are 3 years later and we actually know our neighbors, we have
Not going to go into detail about the drinking years but basically my kids had a ghost for a dad. Now I'm coaching soccer, helping with homework, actually remembering conversations
Left my job 2 years ago when my wife got the promotion. Honestly thought I'd hate it but now I'm the one managing the house, kids' schedules, cooking most meals. Miss the paycheck
I was the type of dad who yelled at everything. Traffic, work, my kids for minor stuff. My oldest got anxiety from it. Therapist told me I had untreated anger issues from my own ch
Used to be a beer guy. Every night after work, weekends, you name it. Told myself it was just unwinding but my wife knew it was a problem. Kept making promises and breaking them. F
Three years ago I was probably 80 pounds overweight, working a desk job, eating drive thru for every meal. My kid asked me to play soccer with him and I had to sit down after 5 min
My 5yo told a completely nonsensical joke that made zero sense but she was so proud of herself that we all just lost it. My wife was crying laughing. In the before times I'd go out
So I'm standing there at 2 AM with my 3 month old screaming bloody murder and she finally falls asleep on my chest. And I just start crying. Not sad crying. Just this overwhelming
Watched my 4 year old sing in his school recital and I just lost it. Happy tears but still. Before becoming a dad I would've probably been uncomfortable even feeling that way. Some
Just realized I dropped 1200 bucks this month on toys, clothes, activities, and random stuff my kids don't even need. Pre-dad me would never. I used to save aggressively and have a
Looking for books, podcasts, articles, anything really about maintaining a sense of self while being a parent. I feel like I've read 500 sleep training guides but nothing about kee