How life changed since becoming a dad. Identity shifts, things you miss, things you gained, the transformation of fatherhood.
749 threads
Left my job 6 months ago and people think I'm insane. Was pulling 60+ hour weeks, traveled constantly, missed so much. My kids barely knew me. I came home one day and my 6yo asked
My wife always jokes that I act like I'm mourning my old life. Truth is I don't miss it. Yeah I miss sleeping past 6am and having money that's actually mine and not having to expla
Man I miss sleep so much. Used to be that guy who slept 8 hours no problem. Now with a newborn and a toddler I'm running on like 4-5 hours broken up into chunks. I forget why I wal
This is going to sound weird but I've been thinking about this a lot. Spent 15 years overweight and just kind of invisible, which sucked. But I also had zero pressure. Started hitt
I used to be the spontaneous guy. Weekends were for catching shows, going out with friends until 2am, road trips wherever. Now I'm the guy worried about pediatrician appointments a
Three years ago I was that guy sleeping until 8:30 on weekends, barely making it to work on time, constantly exhausted. Got diagnosed with sleep apnea, got treatment, and now I'm n
Became a stepdad three years ago to two kids (8 and 11). First year I was the cool stepdad, all activities and fun stuff, letting them stay up late, whatever. Now that we're in the
Two years into WFH now and I barely recognize myself. The commute is gone which should be great but now work just bleeds into everything. I'll answer emails at dinner. I work until
Switched roles with my wife about a year ago because her career took off and mine was going nowhere. Honestly it was rough adjusting to this being my life now. Had some identity cr
Don't get me wrong, being a dad is incredible. But man do I miss sleeping past 6am, playing basketball without planning 3 weeks ahead, and just being able to leave the house on a w
Two years ago I was barely leaving the house except for work. Got to about 215 pounds and felt terrible. Wife was worried about my health. Started running just to get out of the ho
I wasn't like a full alcoholic or anything but I was having 4-5 beers almost every night after the kids went to bed. Didn't realize how much it was messing with my health and my mo
So I used to be that guy. You know, the one who would say yes to plans and then cancel last minute because I was tired or hungover or just didn't feel like it. My kids would get th
Two years ago I hit rock bottom. Not gonna get into all of it but my family was falling apart because of my drinking. My wife almost left. My kids were afraid of me sometimes. I we
Left corporate to do something I actually cared about. Yeah the money sucks now and yeah we had to tighten our belts but I'm home for dinner most nights and I'm not grinding myself
I used to be the guy at every event, staying out till 2am, sleeping till noon on weekends, zero responsibilities. Had my first kid and literally everything changed overnight. I did
Honest post: I miss going to the gym whenever I wanted. I miss weekend trips with my wife where we didn't have to coordinate childcare. I miss being able to just be spontaneous. I
Before kids I was defined by my job, my hobbies, my accomplishments. I was ambitious, driven, always had a five year plan. Became a dad and realized all that stuff doesn't matter t
I spent 15 years in finance making decent money but missing everything. My kids knew my voice on FaceTime better than in person. Last year I took a job that pays less but lets me b
I was that dad always yelling about something. Road rage, work stress, everything came out on my family. Started therapy after my daughter flinched when I raised my voice. That bro