The Strain of Parenthood
Leaving my newborn daughter, Lily, with my husband, James, for a weekend conference, I trusted him completely. But when I returned, something was off. James seemed distant, overwhelmed, and the tension between us grew. I feared that the weight of new parenthood and unmet expectations might strain our marriage beyond repair.
Becoming a neurologist gave me focus and purpose. As a teenager, my life had been chaotic, but medicine felt like redemption. When I met James, we built a loving, steady life together. Although our marriage was strong, we never prioritized children. But after James’s best friend had a baby, something shifted—he wanted a child of our own.
I wasn’t sure, but life had its own plans. Soon after, I found out I was pregnant.
“We’ll make it work,” James said, reassuring me.
We agreed: James would stay home with Lily while I continued my career. When Lily was born, I quickly returned to work, leaving James in charge. Before I left, I reassured him. “Call me if you need anything.”
“We’ve got this,” he said confidently.
But when I returned, James wasn’t himself. He looked exhausted, and his usual calm demeanor was gone.
“Something’s wrong,” I said, sensing the shift.
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