Being a new dad is a little bit like getting that new job (a little bit).
At first, you’re nervous and excited. Everything is so new, and yet you (hopefully) fall in love with what you’re doing. Even after a couple of months, you’re pretty excited and pumped about your experience… after all, you’re still in the “honeymoon” phase.
Then… after about six months… the honeymoon ends. Your job becomes “work.”
My daughter is now “work.”
I was told before she was born that I would eventually become immune to her screams (and not to mention the screams of other babies)… not so much.
I was told before she was born that I would learn to adjust to the lack of sleep… if the adjustment means exhaustion and irritability, then they nailed it on the head.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my daughter to death. I wouldn’t trade her for anything. But when do you hear the following:
“Good days and bad days, but at least I’m doing something I love.”
Yeah… when someone’s talking about a job… and when that job becomes work.
Is the excitement gone? Yes and no.
I love the moments where Nora is insanely cute… the moments where she’s trying to learn something new… the times when she’s more interested in the Xbox controller or the remote control (the lights) than the 10 toys out in front of her… the times when she smiles that heart-melting smile… yeah, I love her.
But I also don’t dismiss the constant fuss, the crying at night, the difficulties of being a father while trying to be a professional.
Is the honeymoon over? I think so.
Or maybe I’m just too tired.
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