My 4yo was having a meltdown about wearing socks and I told him sometimes we do things we don't want to do because they're good for us. He looks at me dead serious and says "Like when you eat mom's cooking?" Wife was not amused but I lost it. That kid is going places.

I lost my temper at my kids this week over spilled milk. Literally spilled milk. I yelled, made them feel terrible, and immediately felt convicted. I apologized and we talked about how I'm trying to be more like Christ but I mess up too. I think there's value in showing them my failures and how I tr...

I have my kids every other weekend and when they're with their mom I just feel completely empty. I try to hang out with friends but it doesn't help. I end up just scrolling on my phone till bedtime. It's been like this for 2 years since the separation and I'm starting to think I need to talk to some...

This is driving me crazy. We agreed on Thursdays at 6pm for pickup but she's been showing up at 5:15 or sometimes not till 7. I have work stuff I'm trying to plan around and it's impossible when I don't know when she's actually coming. Tried bringing it up nicely but she just says I'm being too rigi...

I was skeptical about therapy but my wife basically forced me to try it after I snapped at the kids over nothing. Been going for 2 months now and my therapist is helping me see patterns about why I get so angry. Not gonna lie I cried in a session last week but it actually felt good. Just wanted to s...

This is probably obvious but man, nothing prepares you for how much your life gets put on hold. Can't just leave whenever. Can't take a weekend trip on a whim. Can't spend money on stupid stuff. Had so much freedom before and some days I really miss it, especially when the kids are being difficult. ...

My son asked to help me work on the car and I'm trying to make it a thing we do together. He's not really useful yet but he hands me tools and asks questions constantly. Honestly it's way more fun than working on it alone. We're probably going to be working on this thing for years but that's kind of...

Took me almost a year of weekends but the basement is done. Projector, mini fridge, pool table, and a couch from my college days that I somehow still own. Had the crew over and it was incredible. My wife only complained a little bit about the beer pong stains. This might be the most relaxing place I...

Finally caught up on The Bear and now I'm lost. Need something good to watch while the wife is at book club. Nothing too heavy, just need to decompress. Open to anything really.

Been noticing some weird stuff in my kids YouTube recommendations. Not like bad stuff but just weird and stupid content designed to get clicks. Put parental controls on tighter but now they're annoyed. Found a middle ground where I check their watch history sometimes. Feels invasive but necessary at...

Finally upgraded from my old monitor to a 34 inch ultrawide. The difference is crazy. Been playing some older games I never finished and they look incredible on this thing. My back hurts from sitting down there for 6 hours straight but it was worth it. Now if I could just get some uninterrupted time...

My kids will literally argue with me for 45 minutes about why they need just 15 more minutes of tablet time. It's easier to just give in sometimes which I know I shouldn't do. How do you guys enforce limits without feeling like the bad guy all the time? We do an hour a day on school days but summer ...

I said because I want to do this right. He goes 'dad you never read instructions.' Got me there. Told him I'm starting a new chapter in my life. He said 'yeah the chapter where you actually ask for help.' Kids are savage man.

Went as a dad from a 90s sitcom. Khaki shorts, fanny pack, new balance shoes, tucked in polo shirt. The kids laughed but my wife said I wasn't even trying, that's just me now. Got some good laughs at the trunk or treat though. Might be my favorite costume ever just because it required zero effort an...

An NAP-parent. My 6 year old came up with that one and I'm simultaneously proud and ashamed.