I swear I used to have hobbies and interests before kids. Now all I do is make dad jokes, talk about sleep schedules, and argue about which brand of diapers is better. I saw my old roommate last week and literally all I could do was show him pictures of my kids' soccer games. When did this happen to me?
This is real. I used to play in a band and now I'm making puns about diapers. But also my kids think I'm hilarious so there's something kind of great about that too even if it doesn't feel like a win at the time.
I get the frustration but also like... we're living in the present moment with our kids. That's kind of the whole thing now. The hobbies will come back when they're older, I promise.
Honestly I think this phase lasts like 5-7 years max and then your kids get older and you get your life back somewhat. It feels infinite when you're in it but it's temporary.
Nobody's entire personality becomes parenting. You're just in the most intensive season of it right now. Your interests are still in there somewhere under the exhaustion.
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You're allowed to have both though. It's not all or nothing. I still play video games twice a week and my kids know that's dad's time. Doesn't mean I don't also make terrible jokes.
The dad joke thing is involuntary at this point. My 6yo laughs every time and that dopamine hit is basically replaced all my other hobbies. Send help.