Anxiety about being a good enough dad is eating me alive

Jun 17·1 min read

I've been dealing with anxiety for years but it got way worse after my kids were born. Now I'm constantly worried I'm messing them up, that I'm not patient enough, that they'd be better off with someone else as their dad. I know logically this doesn't make sense but the thoughts won't stop. I've been snapping at my wife over nothing. Started seeing a therapist last month but some days are still really hard. Anyone else deal with this? Does it get better?

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Comments(3)

RRick M.RegularJun 18

Hey, the fact that you're worried about being good enough means you probably are. The dads who don't care are the ones you need to worry about. That anxiety shows you care deeply about your kids. Maybe worth exploring with a professional though, anxiety doesn't have to run your life.

AAdam R.RegularJun 19

Man, you're not alone in this. I was exactly the same way after my daughter was born three months ago. The constant voice in my head saying I'm messing everything up was brutal. Started talking to a therapist and it's helped a ton. Definitely worth looking into if you haven't already.

RRick M.RegularJun 18

Four kids in and I still have days where I wonder if I'm screwing them all up. But here's what I learned: good dads doubt themselves, bad dads don't. You're already in the right category just by asking this question.