Just started a new shift rotation and I'm missing so much. Kids are asleep when I leave, asleep when I get home. My wife is doing the heavy lifting and I feel like a ghost in my own house. Paycheck is better but man this sucks. Anyone else doing night shift? Does it get easier or is this just the trade off I have to make?
That's rough timing. My garage time with my kid keeps us connected even on the hard days. Maybe find one thing you can do together on your off days to stay in the groove?
Night shifts are brutal, man. I did that rotation for a while and it's hard on everything. Kids barely see you, you're exhausted, it's rough. Do you have a plan to get off it eventually or is this more permanent?
That's rough. Can you get mornings with them before work? Even like breakfast together or a quick hangout? I know it's not the same but it helps fill some of that gap.
That schedule is rough on family life. When I was doing overnights, the only thing that helped was being really intentional about whatever time I did have with them. Quality over quantity but you already know that.
Night shifts are brutal for this exact reason. I did two years of swing shifts when my kids were little and I missed so much. Have you talked to your boss about switching back or is the money too good to give up?
Working nights sucks. You're exhausted, they barely see you awake, and it messes with everything. How long are you locked into this rotation? Sometimes there's light at the end of the tunnel if it's temporary.
Man this is rough. I'm doing afternoons right now and it's already messing with my family time. Is there any way to transition out of nights or are you stuck with this rotation for a while?
This is the part of working dad life that nobody talks about enough. The schedule stuff actually hurts more than people realize. You're there but also not there.
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Man, I feel this. Four kids and night shifts would destroy me, but your wife sounds like a rock. Have you thought about using your days off for some quality time, even if it's just grilling with them? That's how I make up for the missed moments.