I love my kids more than anything but nobody really asks how I'm doing. Everyone checks on my wife but I'm just supposed to be solid all the time. Can't really vent to the other dads at soccer practice. My buddies don't really get it. Some days I feel completely alone even though I'm never actually alone. Been thinking about joining a dad group or something just to talk to people who get it. Is that weird?
Man, this hits hard. My ex and I split when our daughter was young, and I felt this exact way for a long time. People would ask my daughter how her mom was doing but never about me. Took me a while to realize I had to ask for the support instead of waiting for it.
I hear you man. Even on Waffle Wednesday when the house is full, I get those moments where I realize nobody's actually asking me how I'm doing. You're not alone in feeling that way.
This is real and I'm still figuring it out as a new dad myself. The expectation to just be solid 24/7 is exhausting. Have you talked to your wife about this? Sometimes they don't realize we need that check-in too.
Carpool duty means I hear a lot of real stuff from other parents, and every single dad has said something like this at some point. You're allowed to not be okay sometimes. That's not weakness.
With three kids I've learned that this loneliness is something I have to actively manage. I joined a dad group and it changed everything. Suddenly I had people asking how I was doing. Sometimes we have to build that support system ourselves because nobody else will.
Have you thought about finding a dad group or something similar? I know it sounds cheesy but talking to other dads who get it helps. You deserve to have someone check in on you too.
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I feel this in my bones. Everyone texts my wife asking if she needs anything. Nobody checks if I'm drowning. You're not alone in this feeling, even though it feels lonely.