The First Big Wall: Surviving the Night Shift with a Newborn
When my wife and I started our first parenting journey, we crashed into the biggest challenge of all: the Night Shift.
We thought, “Let’s all sleep together—easy, right?” Not so fast.
Our baby woke up crying every three hours. As a champion deep sleeper, I often missed the wails. My wife, still healing after birth, had to get up every time. Exhaustion piled up, and tension grew.
After a week, my wife finally said, “This isn’t fair!”
She was right—and I realized something had to change.
Did you know? Recovering from childbirth is so tough, doctors say it’s like healing after a car accident. No wonder those first weeks feel so intense!
Ramen Shop Wisdom at 2AM: The Inspiration That Changed Everything
One day, coming home from shopping, I remembered a YouTube video about “Yoshimura-ya”—the legendary ramen shop that started the Iekei Ramen craze in Japan.
Yoshimura-san, the founder, is still in the kitchen at 2AM every morning, making his signature tonkotsu-shoyu (pork & soy sauce) ramen. His passion blew me away!
It hit me:
“If Yoshimura-san can wake up at 2AM for ramen, why can’t I do the same for my family—and for myself?”
What if I used my late-night baby duty to improve myself, too—learning English, studying, even just reflecting? Suddenly, the night shift felt like an opportunity, not a burden.
Our Life-Saving Hack: The Night Shift Split & Refresh Holidays
My wife and I created our own schedule:
Dad (me): Sleep 7pm–2am, then baby duty from 2am–9am
Mom: Sleep 2am–9am
Now both of us got real rest, and our stress melted away. We started saying “Thank you!” and “You’re awesome!” with genuine smiles.
Plus, we made a new rule: each of us gets one “Refresh Holiday” per week—one day to do whatever we want while the other takes over all baby and housework. Go out, try new food, relax at a hot spring, or just chill. It’s a game-changer for couples!
It’s also great practice for solo parenting before going back to work.
Turning Midnight Chaos into Self-Growth
Instead of just “surviving” the baby night shift, I used the quiet hours for self-improvement: studying, reading, or reflecting on my goals. Suddenly, parenting became a chance to become a better version of myself.
Special Ramen Bonus: Try “Iekei Ramen” When You Visit Japan!
By the way, the “Yoshimura-ya” ramen I mentioned isn’t just any noodle shop.
This place is the origin of Iekei Ramen, a special genre born in Yokohama—famous for its rich pork-and-soy-sauce (tonkotsu-shoyu) flavor.
It’s so delicious, it’s almost addictive! If you ever come to Japan, I highly recommend visiting the main shop if you can. If that’s tough, look for “Iekei Ramen” shops in any city—most big towns have one!
Tip: Many ramen shops now accept electronic payment, but cash is still king in Japan. Bring some yen (about 1,000 yen is enough for a big, satisfying bowl).
To Every Parent & Ramen Lover Worldwide:
Parental leave isn’t just about “surviving at home.”
You’ll have doubts—“Am I doing enough?” “Are we sharing the load fairly?” That’s normal!
The key is honest talks, flexible routines, and yes—a little “me time” for both parents.
If you’re planning parental leave, or just feeling lost, I hope our “Night Shift” and “Refresh Holiday” hacks help.
And if you’re a ramen fan, don’t miss the real taste of Japan.
Yoshimura-ya’s story proves: Passion has no age, and effort is universal.
Let’s enjoy parenting, self-growth, and maybe a hot bowl of ramen—together!
P.S. Watch the legendary Yoshimura-ya founder in action on YouTube—it’ll give you energy for tomorrow!
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