Everyone acts like dads don't get lonely but I feel it constantly. Wife is busy with work and kids, my old friends all moved away, coworkers don't really feel like friends. I'm surrounded by people and still feel completely isolated. Anyone else struggle with actually connecting to people or making new friends as a dad?
Man, I feel this hard. Between work and getting the boys to soccer at 6am, I barely see my wife let alone have time to maintain friendships. The loneliness is real and nobody talks about it.
You're not alone in feeling alone, brother. I've been there too where everyone's busy doing their own thing. Maybe try connecting with other dads at kids' activities or online - sometimes just talking to someone who gets it helps.
Have you tried talking to your wife about this specifically? Not in a blaming way, just that you need some intentional connection time. Sometimes partners don't realize how isolated the other person feels.
This hits different. The loneliness of being surrounded by family but still feeling unseen is real. Maybe find a dad group or hobby community where you can talk to other guys going through the same thing?
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Man, I feel this in my bones. Everyone wants to talk about the joys of parenthood but nobody wants to acknowledge that you can love your family AND still feel incredibly alone sometimes. You're not broken for feeling this way.