Just finished my 2 weeks paternity leave and went back yesterday. My brain is still at home with my 8 week old son. Sat in a meeting thinking about whether my wife was getting him fed okay and completely missed what my boss said about the quarterly review. Anyone else struggle with this transition? How do you guys get your head back in the game when all you want is to be home with your kid?
Man, that transition is rough. I remember sitting in meetings thinking about whether my son ate enough, if he was sleeping okay. It gets easier but those first few weeks back are brutal. Hang in there.
The mute button on Zoom calls saved me when I had to grab the baby during work. It sucks splitting your focus like this, but you're doing great getting back out there.
Two weeks goes by so fast with a newborn. The good news is you'll find your rhythm again, and now you've got those memories from paternity leave that'll keep you going. Your brain will adjust eventually.
Two weeks feels like nothing when you're finally bonding with your newborn. Hang in there though, it does get easier. The guilt fades a bit once you settle back into a routine. Just make sure you're soaking up that time when you get home from work.
Man, I feel this in my soul. I'm back in the office now after my paternity leave ended and those first few days were rough. Your brain and your heart are literally in two places at once. It gets easier but those first couple weeks back are brutal. How are you handling the evenings when you get home?
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This is real. I went through the same thing and honestly the hardest part was realizing I was missing milestones during the work day. My advice: take your lunch breaks seriously, maybe video call home once a day if you can, and be fully present those evenings instead of checking emails.