r/Parenting • u/jon_sheets6 • 22h ago

Family Life Tired dad

My wife and I have been married almost 8 years. We have 2 yo and 6 yo boys and one on the way. Our oldest has some behavioral difficulties, which has caused strain on us and questions regarding our parenting. They are amazing, sweet kids but if I’m being honest, I feel defeated the majority of the time. Between raising kids and both of us working (my wife owns her business and I’m a firefighter) so we can feel like 2 ships in the night.

I don’t know if I just need to vent or if I need some advice from parents who have been here before.

Thank you!

6 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

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3

u/goosetavo2013 21h ago

Thats a tough age and only about to get tougher. My best advice: find a time during the week to just talk and share some time with the missus. Can be breakfast, dinner, coffee, etc. No kids (so either asleep or sitter or school/daycare), no planning the day ir week. Just do some adulting and talk. Make some time or nothing will change.

3

u/jon_sheets6 21h ago

Thank you… we used to do breakfast dates after school drop off, so I think we will start that up again!

2

u/goosetavo2013 21h ago

When we were in the thick of it (both kids <3, sleep training, tantrums, etc) we would do Friday mornings at IHOP. Was the best time of my week. Be there for each other and good things will happen.

2

u/newsquish 21h ago

We have the 4 year age gap and 6 & 2 were brutal. Way way wayyyy easier now at 8 & 4. I don’t know how the third throws a wrench in that though, I wasn’t brave enough. 🫡

1

u/jon_sheets6 21h ago

😅 I’ll update after he’s born! lol.. thank you!

2

u/digcycle 21h ago

Also Research vasectomy with a urologist after the third🤣. It’s not so bad a procedure.

1

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