First day back after kid was born - how do I stop thinking about them? | DadHQ

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First day back after kid was born - how do I stop thinking about them?

Jan 15·1 min read

Wife texted me a photo and I almost cried at my desk. My 5yo has been such a huge part of my routine and now there's just... a newborn. A newborn who doesn't even recognize me yet. And I'm sitting in a meeting about Q4 projections. This feels surreal. Does the mental whiplash ever stop?

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Comments(5)

KKeithRegularJan 17

This first week back is brutal. Every notification on my phone makes me jump thinking something happened. It gets easier around week 3 though.

PPat H.RegularJan 15

Wait, you have a 5 year old but just went back after a newborn? That's a lot of young kids in the house right now.

MMike C.RegularJan 17

Honestly I just leaned into it. I kept that photo on my desk and if coworkers said something I just told them I had a newborn. Most people got it.

RRick J.RegularJan 17

The photo thing I totally get. My coworkers probably thought I was insane when I teared up over a picture of my son in a silly hat.

PPaul M.New DadJan 18

Pro tip: set a specific time to check photos from your wife instead of every 5 minutes. Makes it easier to focus on work. I do lunch break and end of day.