New Dad Opens Up on Fatherhood: ‘I Just Need a Little Space to Be Me’

Taking the leap into parenthood is a wonderful and exciting time in your life. But it’s also exhausting.

A new dad was captured in a recent Humans of New York post, where he opens up about the craziness of fatherhood and how he stays sane through it all. His most recent remedy includes a solo trip to New York City, where he’s taking a two-day break from the responsibilities of being a father.

“My wife urged me to take this little trip to New York so that I can clear my head. It’s just for two days. But my leash has been so short lately that it feels like an eternity,” he candidly says.

Fatherhood is a major life change for everyone, especially this young dad who lived quite a different lifestyle pre-kid.

“Part of me definitely died when our daughter was born. I was always a free-spirited person. I traveled a lot. I never had a boss. I had all the choices in the world,” he explains. “But a lot of that disappeared in order to make things possible for my daughter. I watch her during the day. And I’m not mad about it. This is the happiest time of my life.”

While he would love to experience the Big Apple with his daughter, it would also be a completely different kind of trip with his little one in tow.

“It would be great if my daughter was here right now. It’d be so fun to watch her run around the park. But I’d also be worried about her safety. And the diaper bag. And the car seat. And the stroller. And our next meal. And our next place to stay,” he says.

What the dad has quickly learned is parenthood is a constant phase of worry. And sometimes it can be a little overwhelming to handle. Which is why, every now and then, he needs a little space to himself to regroup.

“There’s always a flickering flame of worry that doesn’t go away. Back home we live by the beach. And if my wife ever senses that I’m getting overwhelmed, she tells me to go jump in the ocean. And that resets me for a few days. It’s all I need.”

Some time to himself is necessary in order to be the dad his daughter needs.

“I just need a little space to be me. Because it can be so easy to get lost in helping a new person become someone,” he admits.

While a handful have commented criticizing the dad, many others have left notes of encouragement for his honesty and vulnerability.

Life before and after baby couldn’t be any more different. And while the amazing gains of parenthood outweigh any of the losses, it can still be a lot to handle from time to time. Whether you have two days like the dad above, or simply 10 minutes of “me time”, make sure you give yourself a little break to help stay sane through it all.

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