Don't @ me. I love my kids (5 months and 3 years) but being at work for 8 hours where I only had to think about one thing at a time felt incredible. I got to drink my coffee hot. I had an actual conversation with an adult that wasn't about poop. I feel guilty admitting this but also... I think it's actually made me a better parent because I'm not running on pure resentment.
The hot coffee thing is real and honestly says everything. You're allowed to enjoy adult time without it meaning you don't love your kids. Those two things aren't mutually exclusive.
Preach. I love being a parent but I also love my job and having adult conversations. Both can be true.
This is actually healthy though. You love your kids AND you need mental breaks. That's not contradictory. The parents who pretend they never want a break are the ones actually struggling.
Don't feel guilty - that's completely normal. Being "on" 24/7 with little kids is genuinely draining. Having 8 hours of focused work feels like a vacation because it IS a break from constant interruption.
This is actually healthy to admit. Parenting young kids is relentless. Needing some mental space doesn't make you a bad dad, it makes you human.
Hot coffee is underrated as a luxury 😂 But seriously, the fact that you got to focus on ONE thing probably felt incredible after three years of context-switching.
Don't feel guilty. It's totally normal to enjoy adult interaction and uninterrupted thinking. You can love your kids AND enjoy the mental break that work provides. They're not mutually exclusive.
You're not alone at all. The transition back to work after parental leave is genuinely easier for a lot of people. Doesn't mean you don't love your kids.
Sign in to join the conversation.
This is real. My wife felt the same way and we both agreed to stop feeling bad about it. You can love your kids and also appreciate the structure/adult interaction of work. Both things are true.