After like 3 months of planning and two weekends of actual work, we finished it yesterday. My 7yo and 9yo were losing their minds. Used mostly scrap lumber from a local mill, cost me maybe $200 in supplies. Built it about 12 feet up in the oak tree in our backyard. Not gonna lie, my wife was terrifi...
Everyone's always like 'balance tech and outdoor play' but realistically? If I make screens totally off-limits my kid sneaks them. If I say yes to everything he becomes a zombie. There's no magical middle ground I've found—it's just constant negotiation and failure. Some days he plays outside for 4 ...
Spent $150 on this thing and our 2-month-old will absolutely not sleep in it. He screams the second we put him down in it but is fine in his bassinet. We're out $150 and he's sleeping in the same bassinet anyway. Just venting lol
Honestly didn't think I was doing anything special. Just sat with my 9yo for 20 mins while she did math, didn't tell her answers but asked questions. But apparently the teacher told my wife she's more confident now? And my 9yo said I "actually explain things" instead of just doing it for her. Not go...
OK so I sell custom wood signs on Etsy. Started 4 months ago as a joke basically. Spend like 90 minutes 3-4 nights a week in the garage after my kids are asleep doing the work. First month made $80. Last month made $1,850. I know that's still small potatoes but it honestly feels good to have someth...
okay so maybe this is just because I'm exhausted but does anyone else feel like we've gone way overboard with the organized sports thing? Like, kids used to just play outside and figure it out. Now there's travel teams, expensive leagues, specialized coaching starting at age 5... My nephew is 7 and...
Been a lurker but feel like I need to post this. Finalized divorce last month, custody is 50/50. Was doing okay for a minute but now I'm really struggling with the loneliness on my weeks without the kids. The house is too quiet. I feel like a failure (even though the marriage just wasn't working). T...
Kids are finally in bed and I have like 45 minutes before I fall asleep on the couch. What's actually worth watching right now? I'm tired of scrolling for 30 minutes just to give up. Preferably something that won't require me to remember a complex plot since my brain is basically scrambled eggs at t...
Decided this morning to settle an argument I've had with myself for months. Made pancakes on my old cast iron vs my flat griddle at the same time. **Cast iron:** Uneven heating, some burnt edges, but that crispy bottom? Chef's kiss **Griddle:** Even golden brown, faster, more control Verdict: Cas...
Had my second son 8 months ago. First kid, no problem—I was tired but happy. This time around I just feel... flat? Dead inside? Nothing's wrong, finances are fine, wife is great, kids are healthy. But I genuinely don't want to do anything. I go to work, come home, do bedtime routine, sleep. Repeat. ...
My son's 11 and he's starting to ask more real questions about why I seem stressed sometimes. I want him to know it's okay to not be okay, that men have feelings and struggles. But I also don't want to burden him with my adult problems? Like where's the line? Do you guys talk to your kids about your...
I swear I do like 8 loads a week and we're STILL out of clean clothes somehow. My wife and I just looked at each other yesterday like 'where does it all go?' and neither of us had an answer. Do other people just... accept defeat? Or is there some system I'm missing? The kids aren't even old enough t...
Looking to get out more with the kids this fall. We've done Ricketts Glen a bunch but want some other solid options within 90min of Harrisburg. My 6yo can do maybe 3-4 miles if there's interesting stuff (water, rocks to climb, etc). Not huge elevation gain. Anyone have favorites in this area? Doesn...
Dude my 12 year old told me my 80s playlist was too loud yesterday. TOO LOUD. I'm the one paying for the Spotify family plan here. When did this become their house?
Small win but I'll take it!! Watched a YouTube video, went to Lowes, grabbed a flapper kit for like $8. Took 15 minutes. My wife seemed actually impressed which was nice lol. Feels good to fix stuff instead of immediately throwing money at it