A lot of guys at my company only took 2-3 weeks which I get financially but man, those 12 weeks with my newborn were incredible. Got to handle all the overnight shifts so my wife could sleep, learned how to change diapers without panicking, and bonded with my son in a way I might have missed if I we...
Took the boys on a 4 mile trail near us and honestly thought it was going to be a nightmare. Packed way too much snack food, made it a game where they got to mark the trail map every mile, and brought a speaker for some music during the breaks. They actually said they wanted to go again next weekend...
Looking at old photos from my 20s before I had kids and I barely recognize myself. I was that guy who stayed up until 2am playing video games, slept until noon on weekends, had a stupid amount of free time and no idea how to use it. Now I'm 37, married 7 years, two kids, and my days are scheduled do...
We went to Yellowstone area last weekend and the weather was supposed to be perfect. Second night a storm rolled in out of nowhere and the wind was insane. Tent stakes were pulling out and my oldest got scared. Had to get everyone up at midnight, pack everything, and move to our car. Spent the rest ...
Got tired of paying $50 a month for a gym I never went to. Bought a used barbell set, some dumbbells off Craigslist, and a pull up bar for the doorway. Total investment was like $300. Now I can work out while the kids watch TV downstairs and I'm done in 30 minutes. No commute, no excuses. Been doing...
Went through my whole 20s saying I'd never be a dad, that kids would ruin my life. My wife kept saying maybe, and I kept saying no way. Then she got pregnant by accident at 32 and honestly I panicked for like three months. My daughter is 4 now and I can't imagine life without her. My whole sense of ...
I used to work 60+ hour weeks, always checking email, missing my kids's games and recitals. Got passed over for a promotion I thought I deserved and it broke something in me. Decided to step back and take a less demanding job. Took a pay cut but gained a whole life I didn't know existed. My oldest a...
Been working from home for 2 years now and don't get me wrong, I love being here when the kids get home from school. But I'm finding it impossible to actually stop working. I'll be making dinner and thinking about emails. Bedtime routine with my 4 year old and I'm mentally in a meeting. My wife fina...
I told my kids I was reading a book about anti-gravity. I said I couldnt put it down. My 7yo stared at me for a full 10 seconds before rolling his eyes. Mission accomplished. Those groans are what I live for honestly.
Been trying to get everyone off devices for meals for months and today we actually did it. No phones, no iPad, no excuses. Sure the kids were fidgety at first but by the end we were actually laughing and talking. My wife was shocked that my 14yo actually participated. Small win but it felt huge. Any...
Cant believe how many young men I see nowadays with weak handshakes. Took my two boys aside last week and showed them how its done. Firm grip, eye contact, say your name clear. My oldest actually said he felt more confident just from practicing it. These little things matter and theyve been passed d...
Been noticing a lot of young guys these days with weak handshakes and zero eye contact. Decided to start teaching my 12 year old the proper way. Firm grip, look the man in the eye, say your name clear and confident. He thinks I'm being weird about it but I know this stuff matters. A handshake says e...
My little guy is 6 weeks and I swear he smiled at me yesterday but my wife says it was probably just gas. I know it's probably early but man it felt real. Been trying to get him to do it again but no luck. Anyone else have that moment where you knew it wasn't just a reflex?
My boy is 8 and I'm starting to see him face some social pressure at school. Some of the other kids were making fun of a kid with glasses and my son didn't speak up. We had a long talk about it and I told him that being a man means doing the right thing even when it's hard, especially when nobody's ...
So apparently my boss saw my willingness to 'stay local' as lack of ambition. I told him I'm not leaving my 2 year old 4 nights a week and he basically said that's the cost of moving up. I'm genuinely torn because I don't want my kids to think dad doesn't care about his career but I also don't want ...