Took a month of unpaid leave and it saved my marriage

Jan 211 min read

Not trying to be dramatic but seriously. My wife was completely burned out, I was working 60-hour weeks, we hadn't had a real conversation in months. I had some PTO saved up and just took a month off (negotiated the last two weeks unpaid). Spent time with the kids, actually cooked dinner, did housework, gave my wife space to just... exist.

First week back was rough on the schedule but the reset was real. We're both way more patient with each other now. The work was still there when I got back. Highly recommend if you have ANY flexibility.

5 comments423 views

Comments(5)

JJustinNew DadJan 22

60 hour weeks are insane. I was doing that for a stretch and my kids barely recognized me. A month to reset sounds like the best investment in your family you could make.

BBrent M.New DadJan 23

How did you manage financially with the unpaid leave? That's the part that scares me away from even asking about it. I feel like we're paycheck to paycheck enough as it is.

PPatrick M.New DadJan 23

This is real talk right here. I did something similar last year and my wife said it was the first time in months she felt like I actually understood how much she was struggling. The burnout was invisible to me until I was living it.

CCarlos M.RegularJan 24

Honestly jealous. I told my boss I needed to take a week and they basically laughed at me. Glad it worked out for your situation though, sounds like exactly what you both needed.

TTommyNew DadJan 24

Did you find that things stayed better after you went back, or did it kind of slide back to how it was?

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