It actually went better than I though this morning when I left the house for the first time in nearly three weeks to go into the office. I thought I would be weepy and weak in the knees for sure, but I manned up and headed in!
The time I was able to spend with my wife and kid over the last few weeks was priceless. I was able to bond with my son, take care of my wife and make sure that she was getting her rest as she fed the boy every three hours. Also, I knew that newborns fly through the diapers, but nothing can prepare anyone for just how many they do go through. My God, 10 a day, and sometimes as many as 12.
I originally thought about taking another week and working from home. But I wanted to bite the bullet and get my routine back so I can provide some stability when I get home and take some of the pressure off of the wife. She has ten more weeks off, so by the time we start daycare it will be December.
I find myself checking myself to not talk in baby talk here at the office.
For all of you future dads out there....TAKE THE TIME OFF IF YOU CAN. These last three weeks spent with my son will forever be seared into my memory as some of the best moments of my life.
Re: First Day Back in The Rat Race, I Miss My Family!!!
I see you are getting your baby fix while at the office! You are all over the board.
Glad you were able to have that time at home. I imagine it would be hard to not be there in the beginning.
+1
My company is offers 2 weeks paid Paternity leave for new fathers... I plan on taking that time for sure. My wife's sister thinks it is a bad idea to "disrupt my routine"... which in her language really means, "You should go to work so I can stay at your house for the first few weeks."
I hope I will be as strong as you once it is time for me to go back!
I knew it would be hard leading up to this day, but when he looked at me, half asleep, as I said goodbye, my strength was replaced by guilt almost instantly.
I am much better now, but it was brutal in that one moment.
Wives sister's are fun....hey??
I am adjusting as well as I can. I rush home after work and my only thought is to grab him up and play!!!
In the words of Bart Scott, NY Jets LB:
Can't Wait!!!
Dude!
That's awesome!
We are 39 weeks today and I can't wait to meet my son. I'm taking a month off...my HR and boss where okay with it, but honestly I could careless. Not many people at my job have kids or are even married so they don't understand, but I'm 100% in and totally down for being at home and taking care of my family.
Our OB said she won't let my wife go past 41 weeks, so in the next two weeks I'll definitely be a father. HOLY CRAP!!! :-)