I tell my kids to be kind, honest, patient. Then I lose my temper in traffic and yell at other drivers. My 8yo called me out on it last week and I felt so ashamed. I know kids learn more from what we do than what we say but man it's hard to actually live it out. I'm trying to be better but some days...
All I did was let him pick out his own cereal at the store. Not sure what I did to deserve that kind of praise but I'll take it.
Started at 5am, wrapped it at noon, pulled it off the smoker at 7pm. Temp stayed between 225-250 the whole time. Let it rest for 30 mins and sliced it. The bark is perfect, meat is so tender it falls apart. My wife said it's the best thing I've ever cooked. Worth every minute of standing around chec...
She's been struggling with math all year and has been really hard on herself about it. She brought home her report card today with a B in math after tutoring and studying her butt off. I told her I was so proud of how hard she worked and didn't give up. She immediately got all teary eyed and hugged ...
Taking the family out this weekend for our first real camping trip. Got a decent tent, sleeping bags rated for the weather, planned out meals. Kids are 4 and 7. We're only going about 30 mins from home just in case it goes sideways. Anything I'm forgetting? How bad is it really if someone forgets to...
Every text turns into an argument. I'll ask something simple like 'what time is soccer practice' and somehow it becomes about how I never help with anything. I've tried being brief, I've tried being nice, nothing works. I'm thinking about only communicating about logistics now but I feel like I'm be...
We're at the store and she asks me 'Dad why do you always make those jokes that nobody laughs at' and I'm like sweetheart that's just the family business. She rolled her eyes but I could see her trying not to smile. I'm corrupting her and I'm okay with it.
My 5 year old watches YouTube Kids for maybe 30 mins a day. Sometimes more on weekends. Everyone I know seems to have a different opinion on this. Some parents let their kids basically live on screens, others don't let them touch a device til they're teenagers. What's realistic? I want him learning ...
Been working with my 8 year old on his handshake. My old man taught me that a firm grip and eye contact matter, and I'm passing it down. Just had him meet my boss and he did it right. Pride doesn't even begin to cover it. These little things still mean something.
My ex is way more lenient than I am. At her place the kids stay up late, eat whatever, barely any rules. Then they come back to my house where there's structure and bedtimes and they absolutely lose it. It creates so much friction. I've tried talking to her about consistency but she says I'm too rig...
We take our kids to Sunday service but honestly they seem bored and resentful. My wife and I are committed to raising them with strong faith but it feels like church is becoming something we force them to do. We pray at home, talk about God, but they're not naturally drawn to it. Any ideas for makin...
Been thinking about this a lot lately. For me it's about being someone my kids can count on no matter what. Keeping my word, showing up when I say I will, treating their mother with respect even after the divorce. Setting an example of how a man should carry himself. Not perfect by any means but try...
For years I had a wife and kids and a full house. Now on the weeks I don't have the kids, my apartment is silent and it messes with my head. I'm not suicidal or anything but I feel empty. I've tried reaching out to friends but a lot of them chose sides. Started going to the gym just to be around peo...
Started seeing a therapist a few months ago because of depression and I was really skeptical about the whole thing. Thought I could just white knuckle through it. But honestly it's made a difference. Having someone to talk to who doesn't judge and actually knows what they're doing has helped me unde...
Started this project thinking it would take a weekend. Then I realized I measured wrong, had to buy more materials, and my drill battery died mid-way through. But it's done now and honestly it looks pretty solid. My wife is shocked I actually completed something for once. Feeling pretty good about i...