We just found out baby #3 is on the way and I'm... not confident about the finances honestly. We managed okay with two but three daycare spots at the same time? Three college funds later? My salary is decent (around $110k) but my wife took a part-time position when kiddo #1 was born and never ramped...
I've tried Google Family Link, tried Samsung Kids, even looked into some third-party apps. Nothing seems foolproof. My 9yo keeps finding workarounds I didn't think were possible. Does anyone have a setup that actually sticks? Or should I just accept this is an arms race I can't win?
It happened yesterday during dinner. She asked point blank. I froze for a second, then just told her the truth - that sometimes parents love their kids a lot but can't live together as a couple, that it's not her fault, that we both love her equally. I didn't bash her mom, didn't get into details a...
My wife asked if I wanted to talk about why I've been distant lately and I just said "I'm fine" and changed the subject. I'm clearly not fine. I'm anxious about money, about being a good parent, about my parents aging, about everything. But admitting that feels like admitting I can't handle being a ...
So my wife is set on repainting the kitchen and asked me to pick a color since I'm apparently the one with "vision" (her words, not mine lol). I picked what I thought was a nice sage green but when she saw it on the sample she said it looks like "hospital waiting room meets sad vegetables." I can't ...
Before: I was a software engineer, bassist, gym rat, whiskey enthusiast, travel guy. Now? I'm mostly just 'dad' with those other things crammed in the margins. Is it weird that I'm cool with that? Like genuinely. Feels like I upgraded from a bunch of shallow hobbies to something with actual weight.
My 8yo's teacher sent home a note saying he's "not participating enough in class discussions." The kid literally talks non-stop at home about photosynthesis and sea creatures. I get that classroom dynamics are different but it just rubbed me the wrong way? Like, maybe he's an introvert? Maybe he pro...
I work 9-6, get home at 6:30, kids are wound up, bedtime routine is an hour, and by then I'm dead inside. Everyone talks about "being present" with your kids but how? I'm too tired to do anything but watch them eat dinner. Do you guys actually have the energy for quality time or is this just another...
He's 8. No specific occasion. Just came home from school with this absolutely terrible but incredibly thoughtful card he made in art class. It said "You're the best dad because you make me laugh and you always help me." Nope, not getting emotional at my desk. Totally fine. Anyway this is going strai...
Used to waste like 3 hours a day at work just scrolling or in pointless meetings. Now I have a hard stop at 5pm because I need to pick up my son. That pressure actually made me way more efficient. I get more done in 6 hours than I used to in 9. Plus my boss respects the boundary. Anyone else find wo...
My 8yo literally asks what the cafeteria is serving before he asks how his day was. Today they had something called 'taco Tuesday' and he's been hyping it up all week. Is this normal? Should I be worried he's eating better at school than at home lol
Did anyone else just... stop caring about climbing the ladder? I used to want partner track, VP role, all that. Now I'm 38 with a 4yo and a 6yo and the idea of taking on MORE responsibility at work sounds like literal hell. But then I feel like I'm wasting potential or being lazy? Like, is it okay t...
We were driving to school and he was being loud, typical kid stuff, and I snapped at him. Then he goes "Dad why are you always mad?" and I had to pull over because I literally couldn't see. I'm not always angry - or am I? Idk anymore. This is the wake up call I needed. Need to find a therapist ASAP ...
Long time lurker first time posting. Just watching my nephew get raised by his mom with basically no structure or discipline and it's painful to watch. Kid's nine and can barely follow instructions. I'm not saying be harsh but kids NEED boundaries. They need to know what's expected of them. This who...
Looking at car seats for our April baby and seeing the Graco Snugride SnugLock is like $200 vs some others at $400+. The reviews are mixed - some people swear by it, others say the base is flimsy. We're in the Denver area if that matters for climate concerns. Worth the savings or should we splurge?