Anxiety about being a bad dad is eating me alive

2w ago·1 min read

I worry constantly that I'm messing my kids up. Every mistake I make plays in my head on repeat. Yelled at my son last week about his room and now I'm convinced I've traumatized him. I know logically one moment doesn't define parenting but my brain won't let it go. Started therapy last month specifically for this. Has anyone else dealt with parental anxiety like this? How do you manage it?

3 comments96 views

Comments(3)

NNateNew Dad2w ago

Man, I get this. Working nights means I'm already second-guessing every interaction during the day. But yelling about a messy room one time doesn't define you as a dad. Your kids will remember that you showed up and cared enough to worry about this.

RRussell D.Regular2w ago

Single dad life taught me that perfection is a myth. I yell, I mess up, I feel guilty too. But bedtime conversations with my kids show me they don't define me by my worst moment. They see the effort you're making every single day.

DDerekNew Dad2w ago

You're in your own head way too much. The fact that you're anxious about being a bad dad means you're actually the opposite. My daughter knows when I mess up, and you know what she does? Forgives me. Kids are resilient.