Spent 15 years climbing the ladder at a big company. Stressed all the time, missing family stuff, not happy. Last year I quit and started my own consulting business. Yeah some months are lean but I set my own hours now. I'm coaching my kids' soccer team, I eat lunch at home, I actually see my wife. ...
Don't get me wrong, I love my kids more than anything but sometimes I miss the simplicity of my old life. I miss sleeping past 5am. I miss going to the gym whenever I wanted. I miss having an actual conversation with my wife that isn't interrupted by someone crying or needing something. I miss feeli...
Got a call from the school that my 9 year old got in a bit of trouble but when I asked what happened, turns out some kid was picking on a smaller kid and my son told the bully to knock it off. They got sent to the principal but the principal actually thanked me and said my kid did the right thing. H...
Took the boys camping for the first time last month and honestly it was a disaster. Forgot the tent stakes, Coleman stove wouldn't light, and one of the kids got sick halfway through. We packed it in after one night. I want to try again but I'm worried about doing it wrong. What am I missing? Should...
Been really wrestling with this lately. My 7 year old asked me why I got angry at another driver yesterday when I always tell him to be kind. Hit me like a ton of bricks. How do you guys handle those moments where your kids catch you not practicing what you preach? I felt ashamed but I think I used ...
Spent the last month getting my garage setup properly. Got pegboards, a new workbench, tool chest, the whole setup. So satisfying to have a space where I can actually work on projects now instead of everything being scattered around. Already rebuilt a lawnmower and fixed some shelving. Feeling dange...
We're trying the one hour after homework thing but my 10yo is constantly asking for more. My wife works late so sometimes I'm solo and it's tough to say no when I'm trying to get dinner done. Anyone else struggling with this? What actually works for you guys?
My 11 year old was on YouTube and stumbled into some pretty inappropriate stuff. Not full on bad but definitely not for kids. I realized I haven't been monitoring what he's watching at all. I've been so hands off trying to not be controlling but apparently that was a mistake. Now I'm installing pare...
Didn't get the promotion because I can't travel for the new role. Company knows my situation. Five years ago that would have crushed me. Now? I have two kids in elementary school and a wife who also works. Someone needs to be the anchor. I'm making decent money, benefits are solid, hours are reasona...
The doc said he needed to watch his drinking. So now I stand next to him while he has juice. He's 4 and already thinks I'm the worst.
I love my kids but some days I wake up in a full panic about whether I'm screwing them up. Like did I yell too much yesterday? Am I not spending enough quality time? Are they eating healthy enough? Are they getting enough sleep? I spiral pretty bad if I let myself think about it too much. Talked to ...
Got married at 28, had our first kid at 29. Some nights I think about staying out late with the guys or going on random road trips with no plan. That version of me had a lot of freedom and didn't have to worry about anyone else. But man, the stuff I've gained is bigger. The inside jokes with my kids...
Been waiting years for this moment. My 7 year old actually got one of my dad jokes and laughed for real, not just to make me feel good. Made a comment about his room being a disaster zone and told him I was calling the news because they'd want to document the archaeological discovery. He absolutely ...
Been a dad for 4 years and the last year has been brutal. Some days I can barely get out of bed and my kids are watching movies all day while I lay there. My 6 year old asked me why I'm always sad and I didn't know what to say. I know logically this is the illness talking but I feel like I'm ruining...
Been putting this off for months but this weekend I'm organizing my tools and actually setting up a real workbench. My dad always had a great setup and I want to get back into woodworking when the kids let me have some peace and quiet. Anyone have suggestions for good workbenches that won't break th...