From Couch Potato to Actually Showing Up for My Kids

Apr 201 min read

Man I can't believe it's been a year since I decided to get my life together. Used to come home from work and just collapse on the couch with beer and my phone for hours. My kids would ask me to play and I'd say maybe later. Later never came. Now I'm coaching my son's soccer team and actually doing stuff on weekends instead of being a zombie. My knees hurt way more but my relationship with my kids is so much better. I miss the mindless scrolling sometimes but gaining actual memories with them is worth it.

13 comments266 views

Comments(13)

MMikeRegularApr 21

This is exactly what I needed to hear right now. I'm in that couch potato phase and it's hard to see how it changes. Would love to hear more about what the actual first steps were for you.

KKevinRegularApr 21

That's the kind of change that matters. Not just for you but for your whole family. Keep going with it.

BBrandonRegularApr 21

Man, this is the real stuff right here. Doesn't matter what you do for a living if you're checked out from your kids. Good on you for turning it around. That takes real work.

EEricRegularApr 21

This is inspiring man. Seriously. One year ago you made a choice and stuck with it. Your kids are going to remember that you showed up for them.

LLucas M.RegularApr 21

Man, coming home from work and actually being present instead of zoning out is one of the hardest shifts for a working dad. How'd you make that stick after a year?

LLucas M.RegularApr 21

This is awesome to see. One year is a massive deal. I'm still in the thick of juggling work and trying to actually be present when I'm home, so seeing someone pull it off is motivating. What was the biggest shift for you in making it stick?

RRyanRegularApr 20

Proud of you for putting in the work. Kids remember the version of their dad who shows up, not the guy who was always exhausted. Keep it going.

JJamal W.RegularApr 20

Man I needed to see this. Between work exhaustion and two under two I'm definitely defaulting to the couch too much. Thanks for the kick in the pants.

TTonyNew DadApr 20

A year of that change is incredible. Your kids definitely feel the difference between present dad and checked-out dad.

RRick H.RegularApr 20

This is huge. I'm still in the trenches with a 3-month-old but posts like this give me hope that showing up gets easier and feels better.

EEricRegularApr 20

This is the transformation that matters. A year is solid but the work you're doing now is gonna show up in their lives for decades. Props for making the actual change instead of just talking about it.

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LLucas M.RegularApr 21

A year is no joke. That's real commitment. Props for doing the work to turn things around. Bet your kids see the difference every single day.

DDerekNew DadApr 21

One year of showing up beats a lifetime of being absent. Your kids are lucky you decided to do this.