Playing Madden online with the same 4 guys every Thursday night for like 8 years now. It's honestly the one time a week where I'm just me and not thinking about dad stuff. We trash talk, we laugh, nobody cares that I'm running on dad mode energy. If you don't have something like this, get one. Mental health is real.
Same crew for 8 years is legendary. That consistency is underrated. I'm building something similar with a few buddies and I'm realizing it's the most important mental health tool I have right now.
That's awesome man. I get it with the chess nights with my daughter - those few hours are just different. You're not "dad" you're just playing and having fun. Keep those Thursdays sacred.
8 years with the same crew is special. I'm always trying to carve out my own time with bedtime chaos happening, so respect for protecting that Thursday slot.
We make pizza dough from scratch on Fridays and I feel the same way you do. That time where you're just doing the thing and not managing everything else is gold.
This is the kind of routine that keeps you sane when everything else is chaos. Thursday nights are non negotiable for you and honestly they should be. Your family needs you mentally healthy.
Sign in to join the conversation.
Eight years of Thursday night Madden is solid. That's your lifeline basically. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about needing that outlet. Dads need their thing.