Never had major depression before but something shifted when my first kid was born. The panic attacks started about 3 months in. Wife kept saying it was normal dad stuff but it wasn't. Finally got on medication last year and it's made a huge difference. Just sharing because I wish someone had told m...
My wife called me out last night for complaining about my coworker to her for like an hour when I preach about loving others. Ouch. She was right though. I'm trying to teach my kids about kindness and forgiveness but they're watching me hold grudges. Gotta do better. Gotta actually live what I say I...
Short version: I was irritable, yelled at the kids over stupid stuff, took my work stress out on everyone. My daughter told my wife she was scared of me and that hit different. Started therapy, learned some stuff about my own childhood, started meditating and actually dealing with my anger instead o...
After two years of saying I'd fix the deck, I finally did it this spring. Pulled up all the old boards, treated and sealed the posts, installed new composite decking. Cost way more than I wanted but it looks amazing now. The kids are actually using the backyard again instead of staring at the cracke...
Everyone says working from home is great for dads but for me it's the opposite. I can't turn it off. I'll be in a meeting with the kids in the background, or checking email after they go to bed, or taking calls during dinner. My wife is frustrated because it feels like I'm always working even when I...
Changed my daughter's diaper this morning and got destroyed from both ends somehow. Looked like something from a horror movie. Now I understand why people buy in bulk. Also bought my first pack of baby wipes today, they sell these things by the truckload and I get it now.
My custody agreement is every other weekend Friday through Sunday. But for the last three weekends, my ex has texted me Sunday afternoon asking if the kids can stay until Monday or Tuesday. First time I said yes, trying to be the cool dad. Now it's become a thing and she expects it. Last time I said...
Spent the last 3 weekends at the park working with him on this and today he just TOOK OFF on his own. The look on his face when he realized he was doing it was amazing. He crashed into a bush like 20 seconds later but he was so proud I didn't even care. Been chasing this milestone for months.
Been working 50+ hours a week for the past 2 years because home stuff got heavy and honestly being at work felt easier. My boss loves me, paycheck is great, but my kid barely knows me and my wife asked if I even still want to be married. Had a breakdown in my car yesterday and finally admitted to my...
Wife went to her sister's for the weekend and I was terrified but we actually crushed it. Built a fort, made breakfast for dinner, went to the park, got ice cream, everyone was alive at the end and nobody even cried that much. My 6 year old told me I was 'pretty good at dad stuff' which might be the...
My wife called me out last week because my youngest repeated a mild curse word he heard me say in frustration. Felt terrible. That's when it hit me that my kids are always watching and listening. Even the little things matter. Started being way more intentional about my words and thoughts. Praying f...
My 6 year old asked me why the sky is blue and I panicked for like 5 seconds before remembering I'm supposed to sound confident. Gave him some explanation about light waves and he just accepted it. One day he's gonna Google it and realize his dad has no idea what he's talking about. Probably tomorro...
I told him I'm not reading them, I'm just looking at the pictures. He's 8 and already knows I'm lying. Pretty sure he's gonna be smarter than me.
So I'm coaching my 8 year olds soccer team and I'm trying to be all serious about fundamentals right. I'm doing the classic dad thing where I'm probably too intense about it. My daughter stops mid drill and yells 'Dad you're being weird again!' in front of like 15 kids. Everyone laughed including me...
Long story short I grew up super religious, became disillusioned as an adult, left my church 4 years ago. Now I have kids and I'm questioning everything about what I want to teach them. Do I raise them religious? Do I let them choose? My parents would be devastated if they knew I wasn't bringing the...