A lot of guys at my work thought I was insane for taking the full paternity leave my company offers. They said I'd fall behind, lose momentum, whatever. Honestly? Watching my wife recover from birth while learning to be a parent is something I would've missed and never gotten back. Yeah I had some c...
People warned me but experiencing it is something else. I've been up for like 36 hours straight. My wife and I are taking shifts but even when it's technically my sleep time I just lay there listening for him. Last night I fell asleep standing up holding the baby and nearly dropped him. That woke me...
My 6yo asks to bring her iPad to the dinner table every single night now. Her mom lets her do it at her place when she has them. I've been saying no but then I feel like the bad guy. We're trying to have family dinner time but honestly some nights I'm so tired I almost give in just for peace and qui...
I'm not even gonna pretend I'm not tearing up a little. He sounded out CAT completely on his own during our bedtime story. My wife called her mom, we had to FaceTime my parents right then. Whole family celebration over one word. I know it's a small thing in the grand scheme but man, what a moment.
My coworkers give me grief about opening car doors for my wife but I don't care. Been doing it since we started dating and I'm not stopping now. Not because she can't do it herself obviously, but because it's about demonstrating that you value someone. It takes three seconds. Last week my 5 year old...
After avoiding medication for like 3 years and trying everything else (exercise, meditation, the whole thing), I finally talked to my doctor about anxiety meds. Got prescribed Lexapro in January and honestly? It's been solid. Takes the edge off enough that I can actually be present with my kids inst...
Looking for full-time childcare for my 6-month-old starting in January. Going back to the office and my wife needs some peace of mind. Prefer somewhere on the north side (near 183) if possible. What are other Austin dads using? Montessori vs regular daycare? Budget isn't unlimited but want something...
Got a Nanit and I literally check it like 40 times an hour. Logically I know he's fine (he's sleeping, he's breathing, he's warm) but I can't stop. My wife says I'm going to give myself anxiety. Is this just a thing new dads do or should I actually try to stop?
Our 3yo has decided that bedtime is now optional. Kid doesn't get tired. He just... doesn't. We do the whole routine - dinner at 5:30, bath, story, the works - and at 9:15pm he's still doing parkour off his bed frame. His older sister was asleep by 7:30 at this age so I have no reference point for w...
Trying to find something good for after the kids go down. Currently halfway through season 2 of The Mandalorian but my attention span is shot. Wife keeps telling me to watch some prestige drama thing but I just want something fun that doesn't require too much brain power at 9pm. Any recommendations?...
I keep seeing these elaborate camping recipes online and they all seem like overkill. Last weekend we just did hot dogs and s'mores and the kids were perfectly happy. Is anyone else doing the bare minimum for camping food or am I missing out? I feel like if I show up with a cast iron dutch oven my k...
Watched my 4 year old sing in his school recital and I just lost it. Happy tears but still. Before becoming a dad I would've probably been uncomfortable even feeling that way. Something about watching your kid do something they're proud of just hits different. Who else has become more emotional sinc...
Tried to take a "mental health day" and stay home while wife took the kids out. Plan was to nap, watch a show, feel refreshed. Instead I spent 3 hours doom-scrolling and feeling guilty about not doing laundry. Then I did the laundry which defeated the purpose. Then I felt anxious that I wasn't doing...
Be honest lol. I'd say we follow ours like 85% - mostly because life happens and both of us are flexible when it benefits the kids. My ex was late picking up last Thursday because of traffic, I've asked for extra time a few times for school stuff, we've swapped weekends. But then I wonder if being t...
No phones, no laptop, no gaming. Just family time. Ngl I'm stressed about it but also kinda relieved? We're supposed to go hiking and have a campfire. Kids are actually excited which is surprising. Part of me thinks this will be amazing and part of me is worried I'll miss something important at work...