Exhausted after work, no energy for the kids

Apr 10·1 min read

I come home completely drained from work and just want to sit on the couch but my kids need me engaged and present. My wife is at the end of her rope with them all day and I feel bad I can't just flip a switch and be the fun dad they need. Anyone have strategies for getting energy back after work so you can actually be there for your family instead of just existing in the same house?

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Comments(3)

CChristopherRegularApr 12

The exhaustion is real but honestly it gets easier once you find your rhythm. I came back from paternity leave pretty recently and I had to accept that engaged doesn't always mean active. Sometimes it's just being present in the same room.

DDerekRegularApr 11

I struggle with this on my off days when I've been working hard all week. One thing I started doing is planning something low energy but fun like a movie they pick or building with blocks. Takes the pressure off you having to be entertaining.

MMikeRegularApr 10

Man I feel this hard. Three kids here and some days I'm running on fumes. What helped me was giving myself permission to do 15 minutes of something THEY want instead of trying to be fully engaged for hours. Even sitting with them while they play and asking questions beats the guilt of the couch.