Just asked my manager about coming in at 7am and leaving by 3:30pm instead of our standard 9-5. Would work better with pickup times and give me actual time with the kids before bedtime. He said he'd "think about it" which usually means no. What have people successfully negotiated? I'm not asking fo...
So I used to be that guy. Video games, online all the time, barely left the couch except for work. Then my daughter was born 4 years ago and something just clicked. I realized I was missing everything. Started taking her to the park, now I actually hike on weekends, we go fishing. The crazy part is ...
Remember me? Posted a few months back about how every pickup was a battle - kids crying, mom being cold, general tension. Started doing transition differently. Instead of picking them up right at the house, I started meeting at a coffee shop nearby (mom waits inside, kids come out to me). Gave it tw...
So we got one of those LEGO Architecture sets and I was pumped to build it together. My son did great for the first 10 minutes, then the moment he couldn't find a specific piece he just... shut down. Said it was "too hard" and refused to keep going. I tried to help him problem solve but he got frust...
My 6yo spilled juice this morning and I absolutely lost it. Yelling, the whole thing. She looked terrified and I felt like garbage immediately. This has been happening more often lately - I'll snap over something stupid like toys on the floor or my 3yo not listening the first time. I know it's not ...
Won primary custody of both kids (11 and 8) last month after showing the judge some pretty serious concerns about their mom's living situation and judgment calls. I'm genuinely relieved because I was terrified about their safety. But I STILL feel guilty like I'm the bad guy. Rationally I know this ...
My 5yo will literally eat broccoli if I roast it with enough butter and parmesan but that's IT. Peas? No. Spinach? Absolutely not. Green beans? Would rather starve. I'm not gonna force it but I'm also not trying to raise a kid who only eats beige foods. What have you guys done that actually worked? ...
lol everyone's talking about OurFamilyWizard and CoParently but honestly I just use a shared Google Sheet with my ex. We both have edit access, I color code who has the kids each day in different months, and we add notes about schedule changes. Free, simple, no learning curve. We tried an app once ...
My youngest just started kindergarten. Logically I'm pumped - more free time, she's excited, this is a milestone. But also like... she's not a baby anymore and I'm weirdly grieving that? Is this just me being sentimental or do other dads feel this way too? Not looking for the "cherish every moment...
My 7-month-old has suddenly decided car seats are torture devices. He was fine for the first few months and now screams the entire time. We're not doing anything different. We've tried straps, toys, music, having someone sit next to him... nothing works. Getting groceries is now a nightmare because ...
My kid asked me what a democrat and republican are. I said one side wants to raise taxes on the rich and the other side wants to... He cut me off and said "never mind, I don't care that much." Feels bad man.
Been working from home for 8 months now and I feel like I'm failing at both. My son is 4 and my wife works nights as a nurse, so I'm supposed to be "watching" him while also on Zoom calls with my team. Yesterday I literally had to mute myself mid-presentation because he decided to scream about his d...
Spent two years off medication thinking I had it figured out. Turns out I didn't. Started Zoloft again last week and already feel different - clearer, more patient, less like I'm white-knuckling through every day. It's embarrassing how much better I feel after only 8 days and how dumb I feel for thi...
So we went to Shenandoah last weekend with my oldest (6) and youngest (3). Thought it'd be great bonding time. Six hours in, 6yo is screaming that the sleeping bag is "too squeezy" and refuses to sleep. Then 3yo gets sick from eating too many trail mix peanuts. We ended up leaving at 2am and driving...
Okay this is gonna sound bad but my wife and I barely talk anymore and when we do it's just logistics. "Did you feed him? When's his next nap? Can you change this diaper?" We used to have actual conversations and go on dates and stuff. Now we just exist in the same space mostly taking care of our 2 ...