Every single text turns into a fight. I'll ask about my daughter's soccer schedule and somehow it becomes about something I did wrong three years ago. I've tried being cordial, I've tried being neutral, I've tried keeping it short. Nothing works. She takes everything I say the wrong way or twists it...
The values we're trying to teach our kids are constantly being challenged. School curriculum, what their friends are watching, social media, all of it points them away from God. We're doing our part at home, church on Sunday, devotionals, trying to live it out. But I worry we're fighting a losing ba...
Been working on this for like 8 months between work and dad duties. Got some old barn wood for the bar top, installed some LED lighting behind the shelves, and put in a little tap system. Nothing crazy expensive, mostly used materials and YouTube tutorials. My buddies came over last weekend and hone...
First time in like five years. My oldest caught a 4 lb bass and would not stop talking about it the whole drive home. My youngest got bored after 20 minutes and wanted to throw rocks in the pond instead but whatever. Made some good memories and my back is killing me from sitting on that cooler. Wort...
Just finished my 2 weeks paternity leave and went back yesterday. My brain is still at home with my 8 week old son. Sat in a meeting thinking about whether my wife was getting him fed okay and completely missed what my boss said about the quarterly review. Anyone else struggle with this transition? ...
My son wants to watch YouTube all day and I feel like a bad dad for letting him have the iPad while I'm cooking dinner. What's the actual recommendation? I know the old stuff said 1-2 hours but that seems crazy restrictive. Is educational stuff like Khan Academy different from just YouTube? Looking ...
Finally did it. Told my kids (8 and 11) that we're doing no screens on weekends. First weekend was rough, lots of complaining, but by day 2 they were actually playing basketball and riding bikes. Now they actually look forward to weekends away from screens. Bedtime is easier, they're eating better, ...
My boy is 3 weeks old and literally will not stay asleep in the bassinet. The second I put him down he starts fussing. My wife says it's just how newborns are but I'm exhausted and worried I'm doing something wrong. Anyone else dealing with this? Does it get better or am I stuck holding a baby all n...
Guys I'm not crying you're crying. My 6 week old daughter gave me her first real smile this morning while I was singing that stupid song from Bluey. Not just gas, an actual smile directed at me. My wife got it on video and I've already watched it like 50 times. Best moment of my life so far. Never t...
I want to do more to lead spiritually in my family but honestly family prayer time feels awkward sometimes. My kids are young (4 and 7) and they get wiggly and goofy. How do you guys make it feel natural without forcing it? I know I need to model what a prayer life looks like but I'm not sure I'm do...
Been dealing with low level depression for like 5 years thinking it was just what being a dad felt like. Turns out I actually have depression and it's treatable. My therapist helped me see that I don't have to be perfect and that asking for help isn't weak it's actually the smartest thing I can do f...
Wife's brother made a crude comment about a waitress in front of me and the families. I pulled him aside after dinner and told him that's not how we conduct ourselves and he needs to apologize to his sister for embarrassing her. He got defensive but eventually came around. My wife asked why I made i...
I turned my phone on silent and didn't check it. Son got a hit in the third inning and I was right there. Checked messages after the game and yeah there was an 'urgent' email from my manager. You know what? It wasn't urgent. It was a question that could've waited till Monday. We're so conditioned to...
My daughter's teacher asked me what my hobbies are during parent teacher night and I panicked. Instead of saying normal stuff I told her I collect bad jokes to tell at appropriate and inappropriate times. She laughed for like 30 seconds. Now I'm the dad who makes his kid's teacher laugh at terrible ...
My situation changed and I want to adjust the schedule. I've got more flexibility with my new job and can take the kids more. Don't want to go full court battle because that gets expensive and messy. Is mediation actually worth trying or should I just lawyer up from the start? Looking for real exper...