Doctor said my blood pressure is borderline high and asked about stress. I listed everything: job demands, commute, kids' schedules, aging parents, general financial anxiety. He literally said "so you're a normal working dad" like that's supposed to make me feel better. It doesn't. I'm 39 and feel 5...

Got offered a director role last week that would've meant travel every other week and longer hours. 2 years ago I would've jumped on it immediately. But my oldest is 6 now and actually knows when I'm gone, and my wife is already carrying a ton. I told them no thanks. Don't get me wrong—part of me w...

Is there a standard way this works? Right now we're just splitting the dependent claim every other year but I've heard there are better ways to do it? Has anyone worked this out with their accountant or lawyer? Don't want to leave money on the table but also don't want to have drama about it every y...

Was at REI yesterday and grabbed the Osprey Jet pack for my 9yo. Specifically looked for one with compartments because this kid loses stuff in a black hole otherwise. Two weeks in and EVERYTHING still has a home. Worth every penny. His old JanSport was basically a laundry hamper. Highly recommend if...

Been divorced for 2 years and my ex wants to change our custody schedule AGAIN. Currently it's Mon-Thu with me, Fri-Sun with her. My 7-year-old (Mason) has finally settled into this and his teacher said his grades improved. Now she's pushing for alternating weeks because her new job has "better flex...

We were at the grocery store and he pointed at a bald guy and goes "Daddy look, that man forgot to get hair at the store!" Wife was trying not to laugh while I literally turned red. The guy actually thought it was funny thank god. These moments are both embarrassing and awesome at the same time.

My 12yo asked if we could go to the batting cages together - just the two of us. We spent like 2 hours there, he showed me his batting stance, I hit some balls with him. We grabbed hot dogs after and he actually talked to me about school stuff without me pulling teeth. It's not like he's a difficul...

My son is almost 3 months old and I swear my girlfriend just KNOWS what he needs. Like she'll look at him and immediately know if he's tired or hungry or just wants to be held. I'm over here reading his cries like they're written in ancient hieroglyphics. I feel like I'm always one step behind. She ...

Legos are specifically designed to hurt barefoot dads, right? That's gotta be in the patent. Plus my 5yo wants me to build stuff but has no attention span, so I end up building this elaborate house and he immediately knocks it down to "make a gun." And don't even get me started on losing those tiny ...

She's 7. Was just a little local thing at the park. She was a sunflower in some routine. Wasn't even a big role. But watching her up there in that costume, so focused on doing it right, smiling at the audience? Yeah I lost it. My wife was like "are you seriously crying at a sunflower dance?" and I w...

So I stepped back from a senior manager role to an individual contributor position at the same company. Less pay (about 15% cut), but way less stress and zero people managing. My director role meant I was in meetings until 6-7pm every night and thinking about team problems on weekends. My kids barel...

I told him 'It's a job requirement' and he was like 'No it's not.' Then I said 'Exactly, that's why I'm not getting paid.' He walked away shaking his head. I think I won that exchange but honestly I can't tell anymore.

I have 3 weeks of PTO saved up and my boss literally said "take it when you want, no restrictions." But every time I think about using it, I panic that something will go wrong at work and they'll realize they don't need me lol. My 4yo asked me yesterday why I'm always on my phone even at the park. T...

Took both kids solo to the splash pad in Riverside for 4 hours on Saturday while she went to brunch with her friends. Yeah I was exhausted and my son lost his shoe in the shallow end somehow, but it was worth it just to see her have a full day to herself. She's been grinding hard lately with work an...

I know this is unpopular but hear me out. I'm on paternity leave for 12 weeks total (my company offers it), I'm 6 weeks in, and I'm genuinely struggling. I love my daughter but I feel lost staying home. I'm not good at the tiny-task stuff - I get bored, I start doom-scrolling, I feel unproductive. A...