Had a sketchy situation yesterday where my 5yo somehow ended up watching some weird unmoderated content that got progressively more inappropriate. I thought YouTube Kids filtered stuff but clearly it doesn't catch everything. We switched to Nebula Kids and it's way more locked down, but wanted to wa...
Went back and forth on whether to post this but I think it matters. Told my kid I couldn't make his game because of work, then he saw me at the golf course instead. The look on his face. I've been preaching about being a man of your word and I broke it for a round of golf. Went to him immediately, a...
Been going for 3 months now and I finally feel like I can breathe again. Turns out a lot of my 'laziness' was actually depression and I wasn't just being a shitty husband/dad. My therapist specializes in postpartum stuff for men (yes apparently that's real) and it's helped me understand why I checke...
In a meeting, my manager asked why I "couldn't stick around" more like the rest of the team. For context, my contract is 9-5. I leave at 5. Everyone else apparently stays until 6 or later by choice. When I explained I had pickup at 5:15, he said "yeah, but clients need us." I think I need to updat...
Been biting my tongue for years but my 13 year old just told me her mom is letting her do things that absolutely aren't okay. I'm trying to be the bigger man here but also protect my child. Need to have a conversation that's firm but professional. How do you hold someone accountable while keeping th...
Small win but I'm celebrating it anyway. Spent the day on actual focused work, completed a deliverable, sent it to the client before 5pm, and picked up my kid on time without that "running late and stressed" feeling. It's not usually like this. Usually I'm juggling both things and doing neither grea...
Real talk - is there such a thing? My in-laws keep saying I need to "let her cry and self-soothe" but she's 6 weeks old. I feel like the whole "you can't spoil a newborn" thing is true but I'm paranoid I'm being overindulgent. When I hold her she settles immediately. When I put her down she cries. S...
Our second kid was born 6 weeks ago and I feel horrible. I know that sounds dramatic but I'm not joking. I'm not bonding with the baby the way I did with our first. I feel trapped and resentful, which makes me feel guilty. I keep thinking "this was my choice, what is wrong with me?" My wife is postp...
My 5yo was having a full tantrum at the grocery store and instead of handling it I basically froze and just left her in the cart while I went to get what we needed. Looking back that's probably not great parenting lol. But in the moment I just couldn't. Couldn't deal with the noise, the eyes on us, ...
We spent last Saturday afternoon throwing together a basic platform in the oak tree in our backyard. Nothing fancy—2x8s, some lag bolts, a rope ladder. My kid helped drill holes and carry lumber, which honestly took 3x longer but watching him figure out the drill was worth it. The thing held both of...
Quick backstory: My kids are now 12 and 14. Our custody agreement from way back said EOW and alternating weeks in summer. But my oldest wants to do clubs at school, my youngest has been getting into sports on specific nights. Both things that don't align with our schedule at all. Had a conversation ...
And honestly it was the most beautiful thing I've experienced as a dad. He just prayed with such pure faith and simplicity. Asked Jesus to help his little sister with her fears, thanked God for our dog, asked Him to help daddy be patient. My wife and I were both tearing up. These moments remind me w...
Took three personal days last month and told my boss it was for mental health reasons. Didn't elaborate. Spent two days just... existing. Played video games, went on walks, didn't talk to anyone. Third day I did yard work. Came back feeling 40% better and surprise - my inbox was fine, my clients sur...
Saturday morning, standing on the sidelines watching my 6yo play, and suddenly I'm sweating, my heart's racing, can't catch my breath. Had to walk away, sat in the car for 15 mins. Wife was watching the kids so she handled it but now I'm dreading the next game. What if it happens again? What if othe...
Been seeing a therapist for 3 weeks now after my wife basically dragged me to find someone. First two sessions I just sat there not talking much, very defensive. But last Wednesday something clicked and I actually cried talking about how much pressure I feel to be the 'provider' and 'fixer' of every...