Got offered to take the full paternity leave (12 weeks, California) but my company culture is pretty intense and taking that long feels like career suicide. People act like anything over 2 weeks is excessive. My wife has already given up her career temporarily and someone needs to pay for things. Bu...
I've got a decent amount of garage space and I'm interested in trying to make some actual furniture instead of just shelves. Seems intimidating though. Do I need a bunch of expensive equipment right away or can I start simple? Any recommendations for beginner projects that won't make me want to thro...
6 days in and our little guy absolutely exploded out of his diaper. It was EVERYWHERE. Onesie, my shirt, the changing pad. How is this much poop even possible from something so small? My wife is laughing at me while I'm over here feeling like I failed at diaper-sizing. Do they all do this or did I j...
My company "requires" 3 days in office. But my boss text me at 7am on my work-from-home days asking about project updates, and there's always some meeting that "really needs you here" on my off days. So I'm commuting 4-5 days anyway while losing childcare flexibility. Other dads at the company just ...
I caught myself buying cargo shorts yesterday. Multiple pockets. Tactical everything. I'm becoming my father and I'm only 38. Soon I'll be tucking my t-shirt into them and complaining about my back. Does anyone know if there's medication for this or is it just inevitable?
Been doing this for the last month and my kids actually eat vegetables now. Just throw eggs, sausage, and whatever veggies on a sheet pan, bake it at 400 for 15 min, done. Takes 5 minutes to prep. Way better than the usual cereal/chicken nugget rotation. Tried it with broccoli, peppers, and onions l...
My son's been asking since he was 8. I held out until his 10th birthday last month and finally got him a basic iPhone with screen time limits. **Honestly? Best decision.** He actually uses it to TEXT ME when he needs pickup instead of me getting random calls from friends' parents. He's responsible w...
Two weeks in and honestly, best decision I've made since becoming a dad. Working 4 days a week, Fridays with the kids now. Yeah, money is tighter but my oldest (7) actually remembers who I am when I pick her up from school. My wife says I'm less of a zombie at dinner. The guilt about missing stuff i...
Seriously looking at $2,100/month per kid for full-time. TWO kids. That's $4,200 a month. My entire second job would go to daycare. How is anyone doing this? Are we supposed to just accept this or is there something I'm missing?
I moved to Austin with my family about 6 months ago and I don't really know anyone here besides my wife's work friends. My kids are 5 and 8. I tried BumbleBFF for a bit last month but it felt weird, like dating but for friendship? Has anyone had better luck with apps or is there actually a better wa...
My 7yo has gotten to the age where he actually laughs at my jokes now instead of groaning. Yesterday I hit him with "Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything!" and he lost it for like 5 minutes. What jokes kill it with your kids? Looking to expand my arsenal before he gets...
Every single time I drop them back at their mom's house, they're amazing that whole evening and next morning. But by day 2, they act like monsters. Full meltdowns over nothing, rude, disrespectful. Is this normal? Are they processing the transition still? Should I mention it to their mom or will she...
Been reading all these studies about phone addiction so we tried a "no screens Sunday" last month. First one was brutal - kids complained, I was twitchy without my phone. But we've kept it going and honestly? Yesterday we went to the park, had dinner without anyone looking at a screen, and my kids a...
Not gonna lie, found out this week my daughter has been messaging people she doesn't know on Roblox. My stomach dropped. I had NO IDEA this was even possible since I thought Roblox had parental controls. Turns out I didn't set them up right. She's 11 and honestly pretty innocent about this stuff - s...
Genuine question, not venting. My 3yo will literally scream and take them off immediately. We've tried: - Let him pick them (he picks them, refuses to wear them) - Bribery - Just making him wear them anyway - Different brands He'll wear socks fine. Shoes specifically are the enemy. Do they outgrow ...