Worked in finance for 12 years. Made good money, had status, everyone knew my name at work. Also had stress that made my face break out, was drinking every night to unwind, and missed basically everything important. My kids knew my voicemail better than my voice. So I quit and took a job at a local ...
Did a 5 mile hike with my two kids yesterday morning. Seemed fine at the time but my legs are KILLING me today. The 5yo kept asking when we could go back and the 8yo actually put his phone down the whole time which was weird but nice. We found a little waterfall and just sat there for like 20 minute...
Most of my friends don't have kids yet and I feel like I'm living in a completely different world now. They're still doing weekend trips and staying out late and I'm over here planning my schedule around nap times and bedtime routines. Had a friend call me to hang out last minute and I literally cou...
My newborn gets fussy around 6-8pm every night and it's tough. We've tried swaddling, white noise, walking around, singing, you name it. Some nights nothing works for like an hour. I've read about the snoo bassinet but that seems expensive. What actually works for you guys? Curious if there's someth...
My 3 week old will literally only sleep if I'm holding him. The second I try to put him down in the bassinet he wakes up screaming. My wife says it's normal but I'm exhausted. I've tried warming the mattress, white noise, everything. Does anyone else deal with this? When did your babies finally acce...
Been having panic attacks before meetings for the past month now. My heart rate just goes nuts and I get all sweaty. Talked to my doctor about it and hes referring me to someone but the wait list is like 6 weeks. In the meantime I'm trying some breathing exercises I found online but its hard to focu...
One of those days where I can barely get out of bed. Wife is at work, kids are at school, and I just feel heavy. Know I should probably do something but my brain is saying why bother. Taking it one hour at a time and trying not to spiral. Anyone else get these bad mornings? How do you pull yourself ...
So my company is ending the hybrid setup and forcing everyone back to the office 5 days a week starting next month. I've been remote for 2 years and honestly it's been amazing for my sanity. I get to have lunch with my kids, I'm here for school pickups most days, and I actually see my wife during th...
Tried to tell my kids that I'm reading a book on anti-gravity. When they asked if it's good I was supposed to say 'I can't put it down!' But my 8 year old just looked at me and said 'Dad that's the dumbest thing I've ever heard' and walked away. I think I'm losing my touch.
Before kids I was crushing it, always first one in last one out, took on every big project. Now with three kids and my wife's job being more flexible than mine, I'm the one doing most of the pickup/dropoff stuff. My company is doing promotions soon and I know I'm not even on the radar because I'm no...
I used to make major decisions based on what I wanted. New job? Take it if the money was good. Wanted to travel? Booked a ticket. Now literally everything is filtered through how it affects the kids. Should I take that promotion? How much more time would it steal? Want to go somewhere? Can we afford...
My son is 3 weeks old and honestly I still feel kind of disconnected from him. Everyone keeps asking if I'm in love with him and I'm like yeah sure but mostly I just see him as this tiny screaming potato that poops a lot. My wife says it took her a while too so maybe I'm not broken but I'm starting ...
For the first couple years after the split I was angry at everything. Blamed my ex for everything, made things harder on the kids, didn't want her new partner around them. Got some perspective eventually, did some therapy, realized I was the one making this harder. Now we actually get along and can ...
Long story short, her lawyer made some crazy claims about my fitness as a parent. Spent about 40k on legal fees and more sleepless nights than I can count. Judge ordered a custody evaluation and the evaluator actually talked to me like a real person. Today got the papers - 50/50 with 2 week blocks. ...
Used to be a road salesman, gone 3-4 days a week making decent money. Missed so much. Kids would go to bed before I got home most nights. Got burned out and switched to a local sales job that pays less but I'm home by 5:30 and weekends are actually mine. First year was tight financially but my menta...