Look only for “return to work after parental leave” and every result discusses how hard it must be after maternity leave and I don’t disbelieve it however, not one post recognised returning to work as a new father.

I adore my new family and how we face every new change and embrace every challenge together. Yet now society says, “you go back to work like normal!”. But, it’s not normal? It’s new, it’s scary, it’s crazy but not normal.

How do we only get two weeks? (IF we are lucky)

How am I expected to just quickly go back to teaching?

Where is the streams of support for fathers online?

Why was I only allowed two hours a day in hospital due to covid and yet the number could stay all day with our jaundice baby?

I love my partner and she is beyond an incredible mum already. We are learning from our boy and also teaching our son every second of every day yet, I feel like men get less credit/support/help?

I don’t know what this post is asking for or what I’m really trying to say. I know that I’m tired and love my new family. I know that I’m not ready to go back to work and I know that something reallllly should change.

All the best.