From Happy Hour to Play Hour: Fatherhood

As a father of two, my social life has seen a significant transformation over the past five years. The arrival of my son, followed by my daughter two and a half years later, shifted the dynamics of my friendships in ways I hadn’t anticipated.

Back in the day, my social circle was as diverse and dynamic as my workplace at Mad TV, filled with hangouts and weekend long-coffees that often lasted until late.

But as fatherhood took center stage, my priorities changed. The spontaneous gatherings with friends began to dwindle, replaced by family activities and playdates. My time became more precious, and my availability for impromptu hangouts was limited.

Slowly, I began to notice a divide between my child-free friends and me. It wasn’t that they weren’t supportive or happy for me. They showered me with congratulations and loved my kids, but our worlds had diverged. The sleepless nights, diaper changes, and parenting challenges were foreign to them, and our conversations struggled to find common ground.

In the place of my child-free friends, a new social circle emerged, one filled with fellow parents who shared the same struggles and joys of raising children. Our hangouts were now at parks and family-friendly restaurants, and our conversations were dominated by parenting tips and milestone stories.