Anyone else dealing with anxiety about being a good enough dad?

Apr 25·1 min read

I've been struggling the last few months with constant worry that I'm messing up my kids. Second guessing every parenting decision, replaying conversations in my head at 3am wondering if I said something wrong. My therapist says it's anxiety spiraling but it feels real. Like I should be doing more, being more present, making more money, being more patient. The list never ends. Anyone else in this headspace? It's exhausting.

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Comments(3)

MMarcus T.New DadApr 26

Man, I'm right there with you. Some days I convince myself I'm doing everything wrong, but then my kid laughs at something stupid I said and I think maybe I'm not totally messing it up. The second guessing never really stops though.

BBlake T.New DadApr 26

This hits different when you're co-parenting across two houses. I used to spiral about whether my choices on my weeks were undoing what their mom was doing on hers. Therapy helped me realize I just gotta do my best and let go of the rest. Easier said than done though.

KKevinRegularApr 27

The fact that you're worried about being good enough means you probably are. Bad dads don't stress about this stuff. I used to lay awake at night running through conversations with my kids, thinking I said something wrong. Still do sometimes honestly.