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This is On Point. I, Boston. This is On Point.

I'm Megachakrabardi.

Now, you've heard of the mom brain phenomenon.

And if you haven't, just go ask a mom.

But have you heard of dad brain?

My first kid just had a fourth birthday,

so that's the anniversary of my sleep deprivation.

And of course, that was a big part of dad brain for me.

I've never been in love with any other adult as much as these kids.

I definitely noticed a shift.

I was an emotional person before, but now I feel like I'm always crying at the most little things.

Being hypervigilant, just becoming more aware of noises and sounds and, you know, when you try

to sleep at night, when you could get some sleep, just being extra sensitive to the sound

of their cry or their murmurs.

I have dad ears.

When my first son was born, I was a chimney sweep in the Black Hills, and I climbed down ladders all the time.

When my son was born, I noticed that taking that last step onto the roof, or descending from the roof, onto the first step of the ladder, I always got a very queasy feeling.

Clarity, purpose, and moral grounding suddenly overwhelmed me, even though I was very young, 21 when my first was born.

It was powerful.

...