Some days I feel like I'm not doing enough or being patient enough with the kids. I snapped at my son yesterday over spilled milk and he just looked at me with this sad expression and now I feel like the worst person ever. I know I'm not actually a bad dad but these feelings are heavy. My wife keeps saying I'm too hard on myself but that doesn't really help in the moment. Anyone else struggle with this?
Every dad has those days where patience runs thin. The fact that you're reflecting on it instead of brushing it off shows you're actually doing this right.
Man, we all snap sometimes. The fact that you're feeling bad about it means you care. One moment doesn't make you a failure - how you handle it next time is what matters.
That spilled milk moment will fade but your patience in the bigger picture is what he'll remember. You're doing better than you think.
The patience thing gets real when you're exhausted. I notice I'm way more snappy after a bad night's sleep or when work has been crazy. You doing okay otherwise or is this a constant feeling?
Every dad feels like this sometimes. The fact that you're worried about it means you're already doing better than you think. We all snap at our kids. What matters is what you do after.
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I've been in that headspace and it's brutal. Some days I feel like I'm just barely keeping it together. Have you talked to anyone about these feelings or is it just something you're dealing with solo?
Being hard on yourself is kind of a dad superpower that we all need to turn off sometimes. You're clearly present enough to feel bad about your kid's experience which means you care. That matters.