Guys. My boy is 6 weeks old and he smiled at me this morning for the first time. Not the gas smile, an actual real smile. I nearly cried at work thinking about it. Everyone keeps telling me the first few months are brutal and they absolutely are but man, moments like this make it all worth it. Does ...
Wife had her work retreat so I packed up the boys and hit the campground. No major disasters which honestly felt like a win. Set up the tent myself (only had to fix one corner), made tacos over the fire that didn't taste like ash, kept both kids alive and somewhat clean for 48 hours. My oldest said ...
Being strong doesn't mean you never show emotion or that you handle everything alone. Real strength is being steady for your family, admitting when you're wrong, and having the backbone to do right by people even when nobody's watching. My grandfather taught me that and I see it in the older guys I ...
My wife thinks I'm crazy for insisting we send handwritten thank you notes after every gift or dinner invitation. But my grandfather always said a typed email is lazy and disrespectful. Been doing it for 15 years and people actually remember it. Had a client mention last month that nobody sends thos...
Started working from home 6 months ago and I'm drowning. Thought I'd get MORE done without the commute but instead I'm checking my email at 11pm, handling work calls during dinner, and my kids think dad's always busy. How do you guys actually set boundaries when your office is 20 feet from the kitch...
We've got the custody agreement clear as day. She has kids Wed-Fri, I have them Sat-Sun plus Mon-Tue evenings. Last month she kept them an extra night 3 different times without asking. When I brought it up she said I was being rigid about it. But that schedule is how I plan my work and honestly it's...
Sometimes you have to respectfully disagree with your spouse but do it with honor. Had to tell my wife yesterday that I didn't agree with how she was handling something with the kids. Did it in private, calm tone, listened to her side first, and we worked it out like adults. It's not about winning t...
This might sound weird but I feel more alone than ever even though I'm constantly around people. My wife and I rarely talk about anything real anymore, my friends don't get why I can't just come out whenever, and I can't really open up to anyone at work about how I'm really doing. Feel like I'm play...
I've been having really bad anxiety lately about whether I'm being a good enough dad. My oldest had a rough day at school and I snapped at him instead of being supportive, and now I'm spiraling thinking I'm screwing him up. I know logically that one bad moment doesn't define everything but my brain ...
Been separated for about 8 months now and I feel like I'm just going through the motions. Used to love fishing and gaming but nothing sounds fun anymore. I see my kids every other weekend and I'm fine when they're here but the rest of the time I just feel empty. Therapist says it's depression but me...
Found him on Discord at 1am talking to some people I don't know. When I asked he said they were just gaming friends but I got nervous. He's not allowed on his phone after 11. Do I need to monitor his Discord more closely? How invasive is too invasive at this age? Don't want to push him away but also...
My manager pulled me aside yesterday and said my output has slipped. Honestly he's right. I'm getting distracted by the kids, I take longer lunch breaks to help out, and I'm not putting in the same hours I used to at the office. But I'm also actually present for my family. Don't know how to balance ...
My kids were raised to address adults with respect. Yes sir, no sir, yes ma'am, no ma'am. My wife's family thought it was old fashioned at first but now they say it's one of the things they love about our kids. Kids who talk like that don't grow up to be disrespectful. It's not about being uptight, ...
She's been doing dance for about a year and was really nervous about the recital. But when that music started she just transformed. So confident, so graceful. Afterwards she gave me the biggest hug and said 'Did you see me daddy?' Of course I saw you sweetheart. Will never forget that moment.
My 14 year old came home and said he doesn't think he believes in God anymore. Says his friends at school don't and he's tired of feeling different. I was raised to just tell him he's wrong but something in me knows that won't work. I want him to have real faith, not just inherited faith. How do I n...