Took the boys camping last weekend at a state park about 2 hours away. It rained the entire time. Our tent wasn't waterproof. We lost power on the camp stove. By Saturday morning we were all cold and damp and miserable. But then something shifted. We just stayed in the tent, played cards, told bad j...
I left my job as an account manager making decent money to be home with the kids full time when my second was born. Best and hardest decision ever. I miss the structure, the paychecks, and honestly the adult conversations. But I gained so much more. I know my kids actually. I'm there for the small s...
I made them homemade sweet potato fries and they actually ate them. No complaints, no pushing food around the plate, just ate them like they were french fries. My wife thought I did something different but honestly I just cut them the same way and they worked. Calling this a win.
Made a promise to my son months ago that we'd go fishing on a specific Saturday. Had to rearrange some business meetings to make it happen but I did it. He remembered. He held me to it. That's when I realized that keeping your word isn't just about being honest, it's about showing your kids that the...
Made a mistake with my 9yo recently, lost my temper over nothing. Instead of just moving on I sat him down and told him I was wrong. I apologized sincerely and explained that being his father doesn't mean I'm always right, it means I'm responsible for modeling what a good man looks like. That includ...
My 6 year old asked me this morning why I look so tired. I told him it's because I'm not sleeping enough. He said 'Why don't you just sleep more?' WELL KID if it were that easy I wouldn't have dark circles the size of basketballs. Wife actually laughed at that one which means I'm winning parenting t...
Stepped on the scale this morning and my son walks in and goes 'Dad are you getting fatter?' Not exactly the morning motivational speech I was hoping for. I said 'No buddy, I'm just getting closer to the ground.' He seemed satisfied with that answer. The accuracy of children's observations is terrif...
Sold my condo last year and bought a house with actual yard space. Had it set up exactly how I wanted it for ten years. Now there's toys everywhere, walls have scuff marks, the smell is completely different. Some mornings I walk through and barely recognize it as mine. But then my kids laugh at some...
Been working with my 8 year old on a proper firm handshake and looking people in the eye when you meet them. His mother thinks I'm being old fashioned but I believe these things matter. A man is judged by how he carries himself and treats others. Started taking him to church events and community gat...
Had a kid two years ago and honestly the life change hit me hard at first. Used to be out Friday through Sunday doing whatever. Now my idea of a perfect weekend is making pancakes, watching movies with my wife and son, maybe going to the park if we're feeling wild. Thought I'd miss the old days more...
I told him I was looking for the chapter on how to be a good dad. He said "Dad, you've been making this up as you go for 8 years." I said "Exactly, and look how well you turned out!" He groaned so hard I think he pulled something.
Took me 6 weekends instead of the 3 I promised. Messed up the measurements twice, had to redo an entire section, and I'm pretty sure I used half my body weight in caulk. But damn it looks good and my kids think I'm a superhero so I guess it was worth the chronic back pain I now have.
Got some nice steaks and thinking about doing a reverse sear. Maybe some grilled veggies on the side. Wife wants me to not char everything black this time lol. What's on your menu?
Baby is 3 months old and we're still doing the 2-3 hour feeding cycle at night. I work full time and I'm running on like 4 hours of broken sleep. I know he's still young but does anyone have tips for helping him consolidate his sleep even a little bit? My wife is doing most of the nights since she's...
Woke up at 4am, had that thing on the smoker by 5. Watched it like a hawk all day. Turned out amazing. My neighbors came over and my brother in law said it was better than the barbecue place we usually go to. Worth every minute of standing in my backyard drinking coffee. Tips for next time?