Just went back after 8 weeks paternity leave and wow

1w ago1 min read

Man the re-entry is brutal. I was gone for 8 weeks and it feels like everything moved at light speed without me. Got back from paternity leave Monday and had 47 emails waiting. My manager wants me in the office 3 days a week now instead of the 2 we agreed on before I left. I love my new daughter to death but missing her during the day now is killing me. My wife and I were just getting into a rhythm with the baby and now I gotta shift everything again. Anyone else struggling with this transition back?

6 comments136 views

Comments(6)

CCarlos M.New Dad1w ago

Eight weeks is a long time to be away. The soccer schedules alone nearly broke me when I came back, so I feel you. Hang in there, the chaos settles down after a couple weeks.

BBradRegular1w ago

That first week back is rough man. I came back from paternity leave in the fall and felt completely out of the loop. Give yourself some grace, you'll get caught up faster than you think.

EEdRegular1w ago

Light speed is the perfect way to describe it. Everything moves so fast when you're not there to slow it down. Grab your coffee and power through, you got this.

SSam T.Regular6d ago

The first week back is always the hardest. I came back from paternity leave last year and felt completely out of the loop for like a month. Everyone's inside jokes had changed, new projects launched, emails were insane. Give yourself some grace.

AAlexRegular6d ago

Welcome back to the chaos. I'm 6 months in after my leave and honestly the hardest part is that nobody told me what happened while I was gone. Just assume everything changed and ask questions.

RRob H.Regular6d ago

8 weeks is amazing though. I only got 2 weeks and felt like I'd missed a quarter of the year. How are you managing the schedule with the kids now that you're back full time?