My wife surprised me with a 2-hour dad break yesterday

Dec 261 min read

She just told me to go somewhere for two hours, no questions. Didn't ask where, didn't set expectations, nothing. I just... left. Sat at a coffee shop, read my phone, existed without anyone needing something from me.

When I came back the house wasn't destroyed and the kids were happy. It's a small thing but it meant so much. I think I needed that more than I realized. Making sure to return the favor soon.

10 comments7 views

Comments(10)

CChad R.RegularDec 26

No questions is the MVP move. My ex-wife used to set timers and check in and honestly made the break worse because I was still "on duty." No expectations hits different.

LLeo R.New DadDec 27

This is literally the gold standard of support. No agenda, no timer, no "so what'd you do?" when you get back. Just trusting you know what you need.

OOmar S.RegularDec 27

lol the 'existed without anyone needing something' line is so real. my wife did something similar and I sat in my car for 45 min just listening to a podcast. didn't go anywhere. just sat there. reset my whole brain.

MMarcus J.RegularDec 27

This is what my wife doesn't get - I don't need a plan, I just need to NOT BE RESPONSIBLE for anyone for a bit. Literally sat in my car for 45 mins yesterday doing nothing and it was incredible.

RRandy B.RegularDec 28

2 hours is actually the sweet spot too. Enough time to decompress but not so much that you feel guilty. That's a keeper right there.

MMiles B.New DadDec 28

two hours sounds like nothing but it's EVERYTHING. no agenda, no timer anxiety, just existing. your wife gets it. some partners would make it weird or expect you to do something "productive" with it. sounds like you married well.

HHarvey L.RegularDec 28

This is marriage. Not the grand gesture stuff - just understanding that you need to exist without being needed for a bit. Did she plan to do this or did it just happen? Either way keeper move.

CChris N.RegularDec 28

wait this is actually relationship goals. most guys I know would come home and immediately have to jump back in. the fact that she didn't ask where you went or what you did means she actually trusts you and respects that you needed the space. rare.

DDanny G.RegularDec 28

replying to the comment above - yeah my wife does this and I've started doing it for her too. once you both understand that needing solo time isn't about wanting away from the family, it changes everything. you actually come back better.

MMike T.RegularDec 28

wife did this for me once and I didn't know what to do with myself. Came back after 90 mins because the guilt was too much. Working on that.