Self-care when you have zero privacy as a dad?

Dec 16·1 min read

I'm genuinely asking—what counts as self-care when you literally cannot be alone for more than 12 minutes? I tried the "take a bath" advice and my 4yo and 7yo both ended up in the bathroom asking me questions. I've heard people talk about hobbies but like... when? My wife works late 2 nights a week and I'm solo parenting those nights. The other nights she's exhausted and honestly I don't want to abandon her. Is self-care just a myth for dads of young kids or am I missing something?

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Comments(5)

EEd R.RegularDec 16

Have you tried waking up earlier? I know it sounds terrible but I get 40 minutes before the kids are up and it's genuinely life-changing. Just sitting with coffee and my phone before the chaos starts.

ZZack M.RegularDec 16

the 12-minute window thing made me laugh because it's so accurate. The bathroom intrusions are real. Have you tried telling them you need quiet time and actually holding that boundary?

TTom E.RegularDec 18

Quiet time after they go to bed is the move. Or honestly, those early mornings before anyone wakes up. It's not glamorous but it's something.

KKeith L.RegularDec 17

The bathroom situation is so real. I tried the bath thing too and ended up having a full conversation about dinosaurs while supposedly relaxing. It's not self-care if you're still fielding questions.

LLou P.RegularDec 18

Honestly? Self-care might just be stealing 20 minutes after bedtime. My 4yo goes down at 7:30 and those 30 minutes before my 9yo's bedtime are mine. I just sit quietly. That's it. That's the self-care.