Bringing a baby into this world is a joyful experience and a wonder to behold. Caring for the baby afterward is also no small feat. Labor and delivery require maximum effort and peak positivity, which can be gruelling as time passes. Despite not being the star of the show, dad also has his fair share of challenges and glory. Truly, fatherhood is nothing to scoff at, especially when it comes to first-time dads. Learning the ropes of being a dad can be quite the monumental task, and may prove to be frustrating at times. But after all, is said and done, it is all worth it in the end… right?

Unfortunately for some, this might not be the case. Some dads experience frustration and irritation and even end up resenting their partners and new baby. Some even begin to regret their decision to have children as they slowly begin to hate this new phase of life. This is not good for the dad nor the baby, because what kind of family has roots in resentment?

We have put together a list of confessions from new daddies who have had thoughts of regret when it came to having children. Read on, be amazed, amused, and feel free to be just a little bit annoyed at the reasons these men give. Have at them!

15 “I Feel Like I’m Slipping Away From Everything I Once Loved.”

 

Becoming a new father completely changes a person. Sometimes, because it’s so demanding, it forces a man to let go of the things he once enjoyed doing. It’s a sacrifice one must bear for their newborn, after all. This disgruntled dad complains about being so detached from the things he used to enjoy all because he and his wife had a child.

A confession like this is heartbreaking because this dad doesn’t realize that there are bigger things than getting to enjoy what he used to. It is as if he does not value his baby because of this. Sure, being a dad is hard and all, but would it hurt for him to value his fatherhood a bit more? After becoming a dad, it becomes obvious that some sacrifices have to be made, but maybe some people just aren’t cut out to be dads.

14 “I Wasn’t Ready To Stop Being Selfish.”

Selfishness is a trait of some bachelors. It is a trait that can make it difficult for a man to transition from being a singleton to being a daddy. Sometimes, this trait goes away, and a man fully transforms into a doting dad… and sometimes it doesn't. The selfishness remains even after having a baby, and this can interfere with the man’s ability to be a good father.

This dad just can’t let go of putting himself before others, despite his partner having a baby. It may be a trait left over from when he was single, or maybe it was in him all along. The truth stands -- men like this can experience regret after becoming a new father. Thinking and putting his family first takes the place of fending for himself, and that might be too big a jump for him. This calls for a talking-to by his wife and family, because it can lead to lazy parenting.

13 “My Kids Hold Me Back.”

Men will always be the more adventurous and more spirited sex, so it’s not a shock that a dad might crave some alone time to go on hiking trips and travel. But saying your kids hold you back is going a step too far. This stressed-out dad claims that his new brood keeps him from enjoying himself and his freedom. Talk about an exaggeration!

Wanting some extra “me time” is normal for any parent. Even moms crave it while hoping for a moment of blessed silence. But saying your kids hold you back may be taking it too far. A dad can still chill and enjoy his time alone on the weekends and still take care of his kids. Time management is key in this situation. Wanting to continue having time alone while dealing with fatherhood just requires advanced planning -- it does not completely forbid you from having fun.

12 “My Kids Are Why My Marriage Is Failing.”

Stress can get to any marriage, especially once kids enter the scene. There is an added burden of worrying about more mouths to feed, more people to clothe and care for, and less time to relax and let loose. But in the end, parenthood is an adventure that is not for the faint of heart. One must tough it out, and work to keep their marriage in one piece at the same time.

This dad blames his decision to have children for putting a strain on his marriage. He claims in his confession that it’s made his wife more irritable, and his patience way shorter than it was before. In cases like this, a couple has to learn to compromise to stay together even in the toughest times. It takes two to tango and carry on a solid support system for a growing child.

Some people may refer to some failed relationships as their worst mistakes. Some stick to that “mistake,” while some try to correct it and leave. And after taking into the account all that wasted time and effort to stay together, it does make sense. But for this dad, his last relationship yielded a son, and it reminds him of his mistakes every day.

To elaborate, this dad is referring to his failed marriage and his ex-wife. He refers to her as his biggest mistake. And after gaining custody of his son, he is reminded of the time he spent trying to keep their marriage afloat, and how he failed. In all honesty, I pity the son -- he had no part in how their marriage fell into ruin, and yet he gets part of the blame. The father has the right to despise his ex, but putting blame on the child is unfair.

10 “My Life Is Much Too Complicated Now.”

Indeed, parenthood is a strange new journey full of lessons. Learning things and trying out different ways to go about life with an extra person at home can be quite complex. Thank goodness some dads have it easy by having a wife to depend on when the going gets too confusing. But for this dad, no amount of help can make his life seem less complicated.

The rest of his confession reads that he has to juggle his work life and his home life. He is clearly not too keen on adjusting his time to accommodate the new baby and his wife’s new needs. As a parent, it does seem like 24 hours in a day isn’t enough to get things done, what with all the new tasks we get saddled with. But as a dad, it’s his job to deal with it and learn to adjust his schedule and help care for his new baby.

9 “Having Kids Isn’t Rewarding At All.”

Many people often say that the road to becoming a good parent and watching their kids grow is a rewarding process. Parenthood may be filled with some lows, but that is eclipsed by seeing and feeling the love and growth of our kids. This dad begs to differ, however. He does not feel the love and motivation to see his kids grow. Instead, he feels frustration.

The dad adds that he also feels demotivated because parenthood so far has only added to his stress. Being a new parent is tough, and one needs to be in a good place both mentally and emotionally to be able to handle the rigors of it. It is all right to want to take breaks due to frustration. But dropping the task altogether can make it tougher both on the husband and the wife, and most of all, the child.

8 “I Often Fantasize About Running Away.”

Some parents end up with escapist fantasies to release their frustrations about their new roles as parents. Thoughts of running away and leaving all responsibilities may seem enticing, but they are rarely entertained. After all, these are only harmless thoughts, used to vent and imagine scenarios to calm us down. But for this dad, he cites being this close to running away due to the stress of being a new daddy.

Fantasies like this are dangerous, because most men keep their stress to themselves. The stress builds up, until something triggers their frustration to do something rash and drastic. As a parent, fantasizing about leaving one’s children is a dangerous thought to entertain, because it can become truth. It’s alright to be stressed, just make sure to have something to help you vent before you end up leaving your family over it.

7 “I’m Leaving My Girlfriend, I’m Not Ready.”

There are many reasons to up and leave one’s partner. From annoying quirks to the presence of a third party, leaving a toxic relationship is totally justifiable for a lot of reasons. But in a relationship where the only “burden” is your partner having a baby, it might be time to re-evaluate what you think is a pain and what isn’t. This particular dad is considering leaving because he has decided he isn’t ready to be a dad.

We get that since they aren’t married, he has the right to not want to be tied down in a relationship like this. But since he is the father of the unborn baby, it is his obligation to stick around and help his partner through the early stages of parenthood. It’s only fair, and maybe the experience will change his mind and open his eyes to the joys of parenthood. Who knows -- if he stays, maybe it will motivate him to try his hand at being a dad!

6 “My Wife Is A Completely Different Person Because Of Our Child.”

Parenthood changes people. Most of the time it’s for the better, as they become more responsible, more detail-oriented, and more understanding as people. But for some, they believe parenthood changes them for the worst, making them irritable and unattractive. It may seem petty, but for this dad, this is causing a rift in him and his wife’s marriage. Exaggeration much?

It is normal for a woman to change after becoming a mother. The psychological stress of having to carry a baby for nine months, plus the pain of labor and childbirth, can totally change a woman, so it must be taken into account by their partners. This change might have be overlooked by this dad, since it seems a bit petty to comment on your wife changing after giving birth. Maybe it’s time to re-center one’s self and see what’s truly important here: the baby.

5 “I Feel Trapped.”

Being a new dad means taking on a world of new responsibilities and managing one’s time to make every hour count. The first few weeks are the most stressful, since it’s when new parents need to figure out the right way to care for their child and juggle their time. There is not a lot of time to rest, which may lead to irritation towards your partner, or even the baby. It can also lead to the feeling of being trapped in a harsh, inescapable cycle.

This dad’s confession is valid in a way that all parents may agree with. Feeling trapped will be a familiar sensation to many, especially when it’s your first child, what with not knowing how to handle the daunting task of parenthood. But we all grow out of it, and go on to becoming the best parents we can possibly be. Hopefully this dad does, too.

4 “I Resent My Wife And Kids.”

There are certain times in which a husband and wife might grow to resent each other during their time as parents. Sometimes, one leaves their laundry in the wrong place, and sometimes, painful words are said in the heat of an argument. All of this can usually be resolved with a simple talk. For this dad, however, things might not be easy to let go.

This dad adds to his confession, saying that his frustration built up to the point that he ended up with a deep-rooted anger for his wife and kids. It must have been from years of feeling trapped in a cycle of stress as a working man and a father. When this happens, it’s important to talk to one’s wife and get reassurances that what you contribute to the household is valid and appreciated. It’s nice to be thanked sometimes, and it really can help.

3 “I Never Get To Do Anything For Myself.”

Privacy becomes less of a priority once kids enter the scene. This means less time to oneself, and more time spent caring for the baby. As time passes and the child grows, closed doors are less of an occurrence in the household and more of a luxury. We as parents learn to live with it, and learn to do things for others and not solely for ourselves. It’s like the next step of becoming an adult.

For this dad, however, it’s a certainty he has yet to get used to. He cites the parenting process as stressful and invasive. I don’t know what you think, but we think he might need to reevaluate his priorities as a parent! Parenthood entails being a bit more selfless, so he must remember that his child takes the first spot on his priority list from now on. It’s going to be tough, but it is worth it.

2 “My Wife And I Are Always Exhausted!”

Parenthood, like all difficult tasks, requires a great deal of physical effort. It requires being at the peak of health, because getting sick can lead to the baby catching whatever virus is floating around. Not to mention the mental gymnastics a parent must go through to be able to juggle tasks -- parenting takes a strong and sane person! It’s totally normal to feel exhausted at the end of the day.

But for this dad, exhaustion is enough to drive him up the wall and think twice about having had a baby. His days have felt longer and his wife feels the same way too. Maybe all they need is a good night’s rest and a break before getting back into the swing of things. Exhaustion may seem like too petty a reason to regret having a child, but some dads have left their homes because of this. When tiredness creeps in, try to take a deep breath and relax.

1 “I Feel Like A Bad Dad Because Of My Kids.”

As time passes, babies grow and transform into kids. And when this happens, they learn many things: walking, tying their own shoelaces, imagining things and making up playmates… and complaining. But when the complaints start feeling excessive, it can diminish a parent’s motivation and make them feel bad. It can drive a parent mad when their kids complain, and this dad is no exception.

When this happens, a parent may feel inadequate and this could cause them to feel less motivated. Imagine being met with negative comments all the time. After providing for his family, a dad deserves praise and thanks for his efforts, not be met with more complaints. I feel for this dad, but he’d better brace himself. Kids have a tendency to complain more as they grow, so he needs to develop thicker skin! Kudos to him for sticking it out, though!

Sources: TheSun, Dailymail, Independent