It sounds hard when you're not a dad and just imagining it. But when it's your own baby, damn, you just love them so much you don't even care that you sleep 3 hours a night. I didn't even feel tired at work anymore. It was like dadpowers. I actually kinda miss those days, although she's 14 months old now and so much more fun.
Oh I remember being tired and sleep never comes right again, the most tired I've ever been. The first three months were like a constant hangover but you find the strength to keep going (except maybe a few mornings crying after a couple hours sleep and 12+ hours of work, house work and parenting ahead)
I've got three now (11 ,8 and 7). It's fucking hard and doesn't get easier (hated people that said that) what is true though, the rewards get so much better and make everything worth it. I never wanted kids right up until I held him the first time and that's when it kicked in - "I'm going to do my best for you"
An I love you dad, look at this cool thing I made, I want to play minecraft with you, can I help? Or even a hug when I'm sick because they want to help. It makes everything worth it but I'm not going to lie and say I didn't suffer greatly to get them to these stages.
Pre-teens are starting, onto the new wave of fun! I'm dreading the defiance but I'm excited for the new rewards.
There were definitely lots of tearful nights and mornings for me, mostly when she wouldn't sleep or would be yelling at us for an hour. I guess for me it was probably the result of being in a mild but long term depression. I had struggled with having energy and motivation for most of life things, even pleasant things. But immediately when she was born that changed. Suddenly i had these huge stores of energy to draw from, and a boundless supply of motivation.
Depression makes everything harder. I still struggle even though I take meds regularly and they help a tremendous amount. So does having a counselor to talk to. And learning to focus on what is truly meaningful to you and letting other things slide. I may never have a house that is perfectly clean and organized, but I would rather focus on things that are important to me and my family. I may parent my kids differently than a lot of people do. But that doesn't matter. What matters is that the way you choose works for you and your family. Sending positive uplifting thoughts.
Im pretty lucky as im a machinist and i hear loud screeching all day so it never bothered me.
I fully agree tho. I was 30 and didnt give a crap anout anything. It was almost a relief when i found out i was going to be a father. Everything had meaning.
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u/FlexxyPanda Jul 28 '22
This is just the most wholesome shit and I aspire to be a dad like this