Paternity Leave Disaster - Came Back to Office as a Ghost

2w ago·1 min read

Took 8 weeks after my second kid was born and it was incredible. Now I'm back and feel like I've been completely replaced. My projects got reassigned, my team barely acknowledges me, and my boss has this weird vibe like I abandoned them. Trying to rebuild but it's rough. Anyone regret taking parental leave or had similar experience coming back? Starting to resent the time I had with my family which sucks.

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Comments(5)

RRonRegular1w ago

Eight weeks is a long time and you probably felt like you had the parenting thing figured out. Coming back is rough because nobody at work gets what just happened to you. The schedule shock alone is crushing. Give yourself a few weeks to readjust.

RRobertNew Dad1w ago

This is such a real thing. You bonded so hard with your kid and then boom, back to emails and meetings. My advice is don't try to be the same person you were before the leave. You've changed and that's actually okay. Your coworkers will adjust.

TTylerRegular2w ago

Been there after my leave too. The key is showing up strong and reminding them what you bring to the table. Those 8 weeks were worth it for your family, that's what matters most.

RRussell D.Regular2w ago

That's rough man. Eight weeks of being irreplaceable at home then feeling invisible at work is a real kick in the teeth. Don't let them ghost you into accepting the new status quo, push back on some of those projects.

RRicardo M.New Dad2w ago

The ghost feeling is real. You're not invisible, you just have a different perspective now. Everyone else kept their normal pace while you were in this whole other world. It takes time to sync back up but you will.