Five years sober and I actually know my kids now

21h ago1 min read

Just hit my 5 year mark. Five years ago I was a different person. Angry, checked out, drinking every night after work. My wife was ready to leave and honestly I don't blame her. I got help, did the work, and stayed committed even when it was brutal. My kids used to hide from me. Now my 8 year old actually wants to spend time with me. My marriage got a second chance. I miss the escape that drinking gave me sometimes, I'm not going to lie. But I don't miss the man I was. Worth every hard day of sobriety.

7 comments226 views

Comments(7)

BBrandonNew Dadjust now

This is incredible. Five years is real. I know dads who are sober and it's like they get their whole lives back. The fact that you mention actually knowing your kids now says everything. That's the real win here.

BBrandon H.New Dadjust now

Congrats on hitting that milestone. That takes serious strength. The anger piece you mentioned really resonates - so many of us don't talk about how much that stuff affects our relationships with our kids.

VVincentRegularjust now

Five years is huge man. Congratulations. I can't even imagine what that journey was like but knowing your kids on the other side of it must feel incredible. Did your relationship with them kind of restart or did you have to rebuild trust first?

RRob H.Regularjust now

This changes everything doesn't it. When you can finally be present you realize what you were robbing them of. Proud of you for putting in the work to get here.

VVincentRegular3h ago

Not gonna lie, this is one of the most important posts I've seen on this board. You're living proof that things can turn around completely. Your kids are lucky to have a dad who did the work.

BBrandon H.New Dadjust now

This is powerful stuff. The fact that you can see the difference and acknowledge it shows how serious you are about staying there. Keep going. Your kids are going to remember the dad you are now way more than the angry checked out version.

TTony M.New Dadjust now

Mad respect for this. Takes real strength to get sober and real courage to face what you missed. But here's the thing, your kids get to have their dad back now and that's what matters. Five years in and you're still fighting, that means something.