We've been playing since he was 5 and I've been letting him win sometimes. Today he beat me straight up and I don't think he realized. The look on his face when I said checkmate against me was priceless. I'm so proud I could burst.
Used to numb everything with alcohol. Lost time, lost relationships, almost lost my kids. Got sober because my son asked why daddy was always sleepy. That broke me. 18 months now and I'm not gonna lie, life feels harder sometimes because I can't just escape. But I'm present. I remember conversations...
Five years ago I was that guy hitting bars every weekend, sleeping till noon on Saturdays, spending money on stupid stuff. Now I'm falling asleep at 8pm watching my kids play video games and getting excited about a good deal on diapers. Honestly I miss the spontaneity sometimes. Like just calling bu...
Quick question - is Fortnite still the thing kids care about? My 9yo wants it and idk if I'm overreacting about the battle pass stuff and in-game purchases. What's the actual concern here?
Just asked my manager about coming in at 7am and leaving by 3:30pm instead of our standard 9-5. Would work better with pickup times and give me actual time with the kids before bedtime. He said he'd "think about it" which usually means no. What have people successfully negotiated? I'm not asking fo...
Started ripping up the old deck last month and found the frame is totally rotted. Now I have to replace basically everything. This was supposed to take two weekends. It's looking like two months. At least my kids think it's cool having a big hole in the yard. Silver lining?
Made them part of dinner prep. Had them help cut stuff and choose what went in. They actually ate the broccoli without the usual fight. Game changer. Plus they were proud they made it.
Started in June, finished last weekend. Nothing crazy, just a platform about 8 feet up in the oak tree with some railings. Used mostly scrap wood and 2x4s from a job. The kids helped with every step. Cost me like 200 bucks total. They've barely come down since. Worth every penny and every sore muscl...
Remember me? Posted a few months back about how every pickup was a battle - kids crying, mom being cold, general tension. Started doing transition differently. Instead of picking them up right at the house, I started meeting at a coffee shop nearby (mom waits inside, kids come out to me). Gave it tw...
So we got one of those LEGO Architecture sets and I was pumped to build it together. My son did great for the first 10 minutes, then the moment he couldn't find a specific piece he just... shut down. Said it was "too hard" and refused to keep going. I tried to help him problem solve but he got frust...
My 6yo spilled juice this morning and I absolutely lost it. Yelling, the whole thing. She looked terrified and I felt like garbage immediately. This has been happening more often lately - I'll snap over something stupid like toys on the floor or my 3yo not listening the first time. I know it's not ...
Got a new workbench, tool storage, the whole thing. Wife said I better not just move the junk pile to the other half. Challenge accepted I guess. Spent my whole Saturday organizing and I'm not even done. This is already better than the man cave.
Yelled 'That's what I'm talking about!' when the other team scored. My wife just shook her head. Apparently that's not how this works.
New Balance shoes, khaki shorts, and a polo shirt with a mysterious stain I can't explain. I didn't plan this. It just happened. Now I understand why my dad dressed like this.
Trying to figure out if we should rent an RV or just do the tent thing again. RV seems easier but way more expensive. The kids want to go back to the lake we hit last year. Anyone have a good camping spot in the midwest they'd recommend? Ideally something with a bathroom nearby because my youngest s...