Just went back full time to the office after 8 weeks of paternity leave and man its hitting different this time. I keep thinking about my daughter and wondering what shes doing instead of focusing on meetings. My wife is back at work too so we hired a nanny but I feel guilty about it. Anyone else struggle with this transition? When does it get easier?
I felt this hard when I went back. The transition is rough because you've been in dad mode and suddenly you're back to work mode. Takes a few weeks but it does level out.
Missing those eight weeks is harder than you think. But you're doing the right thing for your family by going back. The guilt doesn't last forever even though it feels that way now.
That's the weirdest part honestly. You go from being so present to just going through the motions at work while your brain is thinking about what's happening at home.
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Eight weeks is just enough time for it to feel normal and then boom, back to reality. The guilt is real even though you know intellectually it's fine. Give yourself time to adjust.