I love my wife and kids but lately I feel like nobody really gets me. I'm the one who keeps everything together, plans everything, solves all the problems. No one asks how I'm actually doing. It's like I'm invisible half the time even when I'm in the same room with them. Trying not to let it eat me up but some days are harder than others.
That feeling of being the problem solver while feeling unseen is real. Maybe finding one thing that's just for you, outside of the family management stuff, could help break that cycle a bit.
I feel this. Being the one who manages everything can be isolating even when you're surrounded by people. Have you talked to your wife about how you're feeling?
Have you thought about talking to your wife about this specifically? Not just venting about your day but like, really vulnerable conversation about feeling disconnected? I was in a similar spot and turns out my kids needed me to be more present mentally, not just physically there managing everything.
Being the one who keeps everything running is exhausting and honestly lonely. Maybe worth finding one thing just for you that has nothing to do with keeping the family machine going. Not a distraction but something that reminds you who you are outside of dad mode.
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Man, I feel this in my bones. With four kids, my wife and I are tag-teaming everything and I realized we barely talk anymore. Everyone needs something from me but nobody asks how I'm actually doing. You're not alone in feeling alone, if that makes sense.