This might sound dramatic but I genuinely feel like I'm letting down my wife, my kids (8 and 11), my job, and myself all at the same time. Nothing is actually going wrong - we're stable financially, kids are healthy, marriage is fine. But I can't shake this feeling that I'm not doing any of it well ...
After 12 years in tech, I'm done. The pace, the expectation to always be on, the performance reviews, all of it. I'm fortunate enough that we can swing it on my wife's salary (she makes good money). Going to spend time with the boys (7, 4, 1) while I figure out what's next. Maybe consult part-time, ...
My 13yo came to me about a friendship drama situation instead of just shutting himself in his room. Didn't even roll his eyes when I talked. We actually had a conversation that lasted more than 3 words. I'm not naive enough to think this means we're past the moody teen stage but man, I'll take these...
Been diagnosed with GAD for like 6 years and finally tried a new med combo this month (Lexapro + something else, ask me if you want the actual name). For the first time in forever I'm not thinking about worst-case scenarios constantly. I can just... exist without planning for disaster? It's wild. Ob...
Took 2 weeks off when our daughter was born in March. Got back to the office yesterday after finishing my parental leave and man... the office feels so empty and pointless now. I kept checking my phone to see updates/photos from my wife. She sent me a video of Ellie (that's our daughter, 8 weeks old...
We're planning a family trip to Denver next month and I want to do some actual hiking with my 4yo and 6yo, but nothing too crazy. Looking for something with a good payoff (waterfall, view, something cool) that won't destroy us. Anyone local have recommendations? Preferably something we can do withou...
Didn't even know my 13yo had Discord til I accidentally saw it on his laptop. He's in like 15 servers with randoms. I'm not trying to helicopter parent but some of those communities are... sketchy. Had a real conversation with him about it instead of just shutting it down (his words: "Dad, you're no...
This has been going on for weeks. He gets holes in literally every sock we own within days. Is this a sensory thing? Should I be worried? Or do I just accept that I'm gonna be buying socks constantly? We've tried everything - different brands, different textures, telling him to stop (obviously). Any...
Been on Lexapro for 3 weeks now. Doc recommended it after I described constant low-level anxiety that's been there for like 5 years. I feel better? Like noticeably less in my own head about everything. But part of me feels like I should be able to handle this without pills, like I'm taking the easy ...
Every night it's a battle. Phones keep disappearing, nobody's making eye contact, and my wife and I are literally the only ones talking. Started making a no phone rule at dinner and the pushback has been ridiculous but I'm standing firm. The dinner table is sacred. This is where families connect. Am...
My 10yo is really into building games and mods in Minecraft, so I was thinking about enrolling him in a coding class. There's a place in Boulder that does Python courses for kids but it's like $300/session which seems insane. Has anyone done Code.org or similar free/cheap options? Is it worth trying...
Small win but I'm counting it lol. 7am Saturday, my 8-week-old decided his poop was apparently sentient and trying to escape his onesie. It went UP his back, down his legs, into his socks, and somehow the nappy was clean. I got him changed, got all the laundry going, cleaned the bouncer, and I didn'...
Picked up a Ninja single-serve coffee maker from Target ($60) and ngl it's one of those purchases where I'm like 'why didn't I do this sooner.' Having hot coffee ready in 90 seconds while getting the kids ready is huge. I know it's not revolutionary but if anyone's been on the fence about upgrading,...
I used to play in a competitive soccer league twice a week and spent my weekends hiking. Now I haven't gone hiking in like 2 years. My gear is probably moldy at this point lol. Sometimes I wonder if I should've fought harder to keep those things in my life or if it's just part of the transition. Wha...
My daughter's ready to ditch the training wheels and I'm shopping for a bigger bike. She's average height for her age. Do people actually like the balance bike approach or should I just go for a 16" with training wheels? What'd you guys do?