He looked right at me this morning and said 'Daddy, play trucks with me?' Clear as day. My wife was sleeping so it was just us and honestly I got a little emotional. We've been working on speech with him and his therapist said he was making progress but hearing him actually ask me something independ...

This kid has been struggling with confidence and striking out a lot and we were just happy he wanted to keep trying. Today he connected and that ball went FLYING. The whole team was screaming, I was standing up yelling like an idiot, and he rounded those bases with the biggest smile on his face. We ...

Before kids I thought I was important because of my job and my paycheck. I had this whole identity wrapped up in being the ambitious guy at the office. First kid came along and suddenly the promotion didn't matter as much. Second kid and I realized I was missing everything. I'm doing less at work bu...

I know that sounds weird but I mean I actually know how to take care of my kids now instead of just being the fun weekend parent. I changed diapers, did naps, handled meltdowns, figured out feeding schedules. It was hard but I finally get what my wife does every day. When I went back to work I actua...

I spent 15 years working a job I hated just to pay the bills. Finally took the leap and went back for my degree. Graduated last year and just got hired at a place I actually respect. My kids saw me struggle through classes and now they see me proud and excited about work. I miss the stability and ho...

Never thought I'd write this but here we are. I quit drinking 6 months ago and everything has changed. I actually want to be around my kids now instead of just tolerating them. I'm coaching my son's soccer team. I remember things. I don't wake up feeling like garbage. My wife and I actually talk abo...

Took me way too long to figure out Apple Screen Time but I finally have it working how I want. My kids can't download apps without approval and screen time locks them out after 2 hours on school days. Only took me 3 YouTube videos and a call to my brother in law. Feels good to actually have some con...

He asked 'Dad why did the chicken cross the road?' I said 'Why?' and he said 'Because it was NOT a TURTLE!' Then he died laughing for like 5 minutes. I've created a monster. This is what happens when you tell dad jokes for years. They're evolving. Someone help me.

I packed my 7 year old's lunch with a note that said 'Why did the scarecrow win an award? He was outstanding in his field.' Apparently she read it out loud to her entire table and the kids had no idea what I was talking about. The teacher called me laughing. Now my daughter is embarrassed but also k...

Quit my six figure job last year to start my own thing and be more present with the family. Best decision but also weirdest adjustment. What I miss: the validation, the paychecks hitting like clockwork, people calling me an expert. What I gained: actually knowing what my kids did at school, not bein...

Few years back I was that bitter single dad, hated my ex, felt like life did me dirty. Just angry all the time. Met my now wife at a friend's BBQ and literally everything started to shift. Realized the anger was eating me up and hurting my kids. Started therapy, did the work, eventually actually hea...

I've been restoring this old workbench I found at an estate sale and I finally got it completely refinished yesterday. My wife walked in and was like 'you spent 6 months on that?' and honestly yeah I did. But it's mine now and it's beautiful and I don't even care if the kids use it to build stuff be...

Built a fort out of cereal boxes with my kids last Saturday. My 4 year old decided to eat the evidence. By the time I got back with the tape, there were holes everywhere and he's just munching on Cinnamon Toast Crunch like nothing happened. Wife found me sitting in a half eaten fort wondering where ...

7 year old asked for one more story. I said "You've already had three." He responds "Yeah but you keep doing them wrong. Maybe if you try again you'll get it right." I'm sitting here getting schooled on my storytelling ability by a kid who still thinks dinosaurs and pirates lived at the same time. R...

Trying to instill biblical values about generosity and contentment but my kids see other kids with more stuff and want more. We give them a small allowance and try to teach them to give some away, volunteer as a family, that kind of thing. But it feels like the world is constantly working against th...