Been working 60+ hour weeks and I'm exhausted. My kids ask me to play and I'm just snapping at them instead of being patient. I know Jesus would have patience with them but man, I'm failing hard. How do you guys balance work stress and still being the godly example your family needs? Feels like I'm letting everyone down.
Modeling Christ while exhausted is impossible. You have to refill your own cup first. What does taking care of yourself look like for you right now?
60+ hour weeks and trying to be present for your kids is a lot. The fact that you recognize you're snapping at them means you care. Maybe talk to your boss about scaling back if possible?
What if you blocked out just 15 minutes after work to decompress before you see the kids? Not skipping time with them, just giving yourself a buffer so you're not running on empty.
60 hour weeks with two plus kids is unsustainable. Modeling Christ starts with taking care of yourself enough to not be a snapping shell of a person. There's no shame in saying you need a different schedule or job situation. Your mental health affects your whole family.
The snapping at them when you're exhausted is not you failing, it's you being human. But you're right that something has to give. Can you talk to your boss about scaling back even a little bit? Your kids need present dad more than they need all the things the money buys.
Brother I hear you. Working those hours and trying to be the dad and the Christ figure at the same time is impossible. You're running on empty and that's when patience goes out the window. Don't beat yourself up but maybe look at how to cut some of those hours if possible.
I've been there and the guilt is crushing because you know better but you're too tired to be better. Real talk though, it's okay to ask for help. From your wife, your church, whoever. You can't pour from an empty cup.
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I feel this in my bones. Working that much and then feeling guilty about not having patience left over for the kids is a brutal cycle. You're not alone in this.