This is kind of embarrassing to admit but I was that dad who saw his kids every other weekend and just let screens raise them. I'd give them money instead of time, miss important stuff, show up late. Last year my youngest asked me 'Dad, do you even like spending time with us?' Absolutely wrecked me....
We do 1 hour max on school nights, 2 hours on weekends. Sounds simple but enforcing it is brutal when he's in full meltdown mode. We use Apple Screen Time but honestly the best tool is just saying no and dealing with the tantrum. My 10 year old fought it hard but after a few weeks he adjusted. Now h...
I have the kids every other week and it's actually worse than I thought it would be. My ex is being reasonable about it but switching back and forth every 7 days feels chaotic for everyone. The kids are upset every time they have to switch, I'm spending way too much money on two of everything, and h...
We go every Sunday but honestly it feels like we're dragging our two oldest. My wife and I are trying to show them that faith is important but they'd rather sleep in or play video games. Not trying to force them into fake faith but also want them to understand why we believe what we believe. Any dad...
Had a kid at 22, thought my life was over. Worked construction for years, told myself I was too old to go back to school. Finally did it at 30, finished my degree at 34 while working full time and being a parent. Hardest thing I've ever done but man, the identity shift is real. I'm not just a labore...
Man I gotta say this hits different. Five years ago I was the guy closing down bars on weekends, sleeping till noon, no real responsibilities. Now I'm up at 6am making lunches for the kids, my idea of a wild Friday night is staying up past 10pm to watch a movie with my wife. The crazy part? I don't ...
Wife had to switch to formula at 3 months due to supply issues and I'm not gonna lie, she's been really hard on herself about it. But honestly this kid has never been happier. He's sleeping longer, eating more, and we can both feed him which means I actually get real bonding time instead of just wat...
My 14yo got mouthy with me this week about something stupid. Told me I was being unfair without even listening to the actual rule. I stayed calm, told him to go to his room, and we talked about it later. Tried to explain that respect in a house has to go both ways and that him talking to me like tha...
Been working with him all summer and today he finally got it. Went about 30 feet down the driveway without me holding on. The look on his face man, pure joy. My wife got it on video. This is the stuff they don't tell you about when you become a dad but honestly might be better than anything else.
They play the anthem before youth soccer tournaments now and I always stand with my hand over my heart. Most people just sit there on their phones. Got some looks but I don't care. My grandfather served. My kids are watching me decide what matters. They stand with me now without me even saying anyth...
Just cleaned out the grill and restocked my propane. Ready to grill almost every night for the next few months. There's something therapeutic about standing over a grill with a cold drink just watching the flames. Wife says I spend too much time out here. She's not wrong but I'm not changing.
My 6 year old pointed at Fruity Pebbles and said 'Dad can we get the colorful rocks?' I said 'Sure buddy, rocks for breakfast sounds perfectly normal and not at all concerning.' My wife did not appreciate my tone.
Five years ago before kids I was at the gym 5 days a week, had abs, ran marathons on weekends. Now I'm 40, got a solid dad bod, and you know what? I don't miss it as much as I thought I would. Don't get me wrong I still try to stay active but there's something about having energy for my kids instead...
Pre-kids me slept 8 solid hours every night, took naps on weekends, would stay up late just because I could. Now with a 2 and 4 year old I'm lucky to get 6 hours and it's broken up. Coffee has become a personality trait at this point. Sometimes at 3am when I'm walking the floor with my youngest I th...
Not gonna lie, I almost didn't post this. But someone here inspired me last year and now I want to do the same. Three years ago I was 285 lbs, hadn't exercised since college, and spent most evenings on the couch while my kids watched me get winded playing tag. My wife never said anything but I could...