Remember when you just had cake and pin-the-tail and you called it a day? Now it's "experiences" and I'm supposed to book a venue and hire entertainment. My son's friend's mom just did an entire escape room party for 8 kids. AN ESCAPE ROOM. For 8-year-olds. I'm just doing pizza and cake in my backya...
We had to go through a custody evaluation because we couldn't agree on placement. Our evaluator was Dr. Patel in Portland - honestly she was fair and thorough. She spent time with both of us separately AND with the kids, which I appreciated. It cost $3k (split with ex) but it saved us from a messy t...
Went to restock my tackle box and nearly had a heart attack. Eight dollar crankbaits? Seriously? I remember buying these for like three bucks not that long ago. And don't even get me started on the fancy new tech stuff. When did fishing become a rich man's sport? Pretty sure the fish don't care if t...
Wife had a work conference. Packed up the van with kids ages 4, 7, and 10. Set up at Point Lobos near Santa Cruz. Honestly thought it would be a disaster but: - Everyone slept in their sleeping bags - Made s'mores without anyone falling in the fire - Only one kid got stung by a bee (minor, they're ...
He's 10 and usually thinks I'm annoying but today he made me a little card that said 'you're a good dad' with some drawings on it. Just sitting on my desk at work right now. I've read it like 8 times. Might frame it honestly.
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 ...
This might sound weird but I feel so alone. I'm married, have two kids, work with a team, but I feel like no one really knows me anymore. Everything is about what the kids need or what work needs. I don't have time for my friends. My wife is exhausted too so we don't really talk. Started going to th...
Working full time, kids are in daycare, I feel like I'm missing everything. My oldest just learned to ride his bike without training wheels and I wasn't there. Wife says I'm being hard on myself but man it eats at me. I make decent money so we're not struggling financially but sometimes I wonder if ...
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...
So my ex got a new job offer across the country and wants to move with the kids. We share 50/50 custody and she says there's no way I can make it work there financially or job wise. Technically legally we need to agree or go back to court. I feel like Im being pushed into a corner where I either los...
Not gonna lie the divorce sucked and was painful but looking back now I realize I was genuinely depressed in that marriage for a long time. Just going through motions, barely smiling, everything felt heavy. Now that I have my own place and time for myself I feel like I can actually breathe. Ive star...
Still not over it. We had the exact same score heading into Monday night football and the tiebreaker was total points. Lost by 0.2 points because his defense got one more tackle. ONE MORE TACKLE. That was $500 down the drain. Already told the guys I want revenge next year.
Started putting on a real shirt and pants every morning instead of lounging in sweats. Even if I'm just working from home. Something about it just feels right. Sets the tone for the day, makes me stand taller, carry myself different. My kids notice it too. Small thing but it matters.
I've never experienced anxiety before but since my daughter was born 4 months ago I can't stop thinking something terrible is going to happen to her. I check on her constantly when she's sleeping, probably too much. My wife thinks I'm being paranoid but this doesn't feel normal. I'm exhausted from t...
My daughter is almost 8 weeks old and I've been waking up every 2 hours feeling like a zombie. But this morning she actually smiled at me. Not a gas smile, a real actual smile when she saw my face. I literally just sat there like an idiot grinning back at her for 10 minutes. My wife caught me on my ...