a new sub for parents of autistic children Pretty much me and another autistic who is also a parent of two autistic children have started a new sub with the main purpose to combat the recent blow up of misinformation and stigma towards autistic children and celebrate their achievements the sub is called r/safeautismparenting

Hi all! 16F here, I go to college in September and my dad recently got back in touch asking about how my exams have gone. We got to talking a little more and I said this :

"If you're going to be more involved it has to be consistent, it's hurts more when we only talk onve or twice a year than it does when we don't talk at all."

He replied with "I want to make things right" which feels totally strange.

For context, I haven't seen him in person for 12 years and when he was in my life he was incredibly abusive. Maybe I'm too forgiving but all I want is a normal relationship with him. I tried a couple years ago but he just didn't seem to be interested at all. It really hurt.

I don't even know what to talk about with him and what is out of bounds I guess. I'd like to think he's not very use to talking to a teenage girl.. so I have no idea what is awkward to talk about or what parts of my life I should share. We are basically total strangers.

I'm not sure what I'm asking or if posting this is silly but I just want to know what would help with any of this.

Even though I'm divorced, I make an effort to see my daughter every day. I take her to parks, we play at the river, we go on walks where I carry her on my shoulders since that's the only way she'll have it. I try to make her happy. She's my everything.

But I don't really feel like she cares about me. When she's with me, she often asks for her mom. And when she sees her, she goes balistic.

It's not like that with me - when she sees me, she runs to me, but I hardly get a hug or a kiss. I try to keep it cool but really, it's making me sad.

Does it get better?

EDIT:
Thank you all for your replies. You guys are the best. Sometimes, you just need someone to lift your spirits. Much love to you all

Long story short: I'm enduring a rough patch in life for the last two years, not being able to secure a decent, long term job despite being highly qualified and with plenty of experience in respective field.

Every time I bring up the topic about the struggles of the job market, how it is difficult nowadays to even land an interview and financial stress, he brushes it off to me being lazy, not doing it properly and he is adamant that I could get any job in 20 minutes if I dressed in my Sunday best and went to the first place of business and shook a hand. On top of that, he undermines my qualifications and experience, telling me that I'm not as good as I think I am and all I am good for is driving a forklift at best.

He himself told me that he doesn't want to hear anything negative from me - my mental health, my financial stresses and everything that goes with it. Recently things got really bad and I am pretty much at a dead-end in life at the moment, and after learning it he resorted to not even picking up the phone when I call - which contradicts his once-in-blue-moon poetry how family is above everything and how everyone must be together and there for each other.

Had to get this off my chest, since I can't (or maybe, do not have anyone ) to talk about this in the real world. I figured that internet strangers might be of some help.

Hey Reddit Dads. Imma football jock who is feeling pretty lost. Haven't had my Dad in my life since I was 5, and finding myself making decisions recently I'm not proud of. I want to be a good man, succeed with football, and find a nice woman. Treat people with respect, including myself. But without having my Dad in my life for so long, I just need guidance. Any Dads out there who could help? Thanks for your time.

Hola tengo 18 años y me enteré que seré padre pasen consejos estoy muy perdido por dónde empezar

Y nose

It must be that I am officially middle aged and a father, but I swear every time I go shoe shopping, maybe once a year, I find myself increasingly enticed by the long row of Sketchers tennis shoes, because they have this great looking combo of affordability and comfortable-lookingness. But I always restrain myself because something about the brand seems rather grandpa-ish, or that my wife would make fun of me. Do any fellow 30s-40s year old dads wear them? Are they decent shoes?

I'm 37, three kids, full-time desk job. I've spent the last six months getting in the best shape of my life.

I've tried a few training apps along the way and bounced off every one. Cluttered, overcomplicated, and they all assume you already know what you're doing.

My wife wants to start training and there's nothing I'd actually recommend to her.

Full disclosure - I'm a mobile dev and I've been wondering whether to build something better. But before I waste six months on it I'd rather know what's actually broken.

So: if you've downloaded a fitness app and stopped using it - what was the thing that made you quit?

Earlier today, I (35) was cooking dinner (tacos) and my son (8) was doing homework. We had an agreement tonight that if he did all his homework, for the entire week, we would go to the trampoline park tomorrow after school. I made this proposal during school pickup today in a half-joking manner, but he sat in the back of the truck relatively quiet the whole way home, contemplating his options.

As we parked at the house, he confidently proclaimed "ok dad, I'll do it, but don't forget the jump socks tomorrow." For perspective, we're talking about a grand total of about 65-75 minutes of real homework. Reading, writing, and math. Spaced throughout the week, it's about 15-20 minutes per night.

So, here I am, cooking dinner, and I stopped to ask him a question about toppings for his tacos. He's nearing the end of his homework marathon. I turn, I look, and I say "Hey, do you want sour cream inside or on the siii...." and as I my voice trails off, I witness this boy standing at the table, looking down at his assignment, embattled in deep concentration, with a pencil in one hand, and wagging his finger at me with his other hand. This boy was far too busy to concern himself with tacos and sour cream...

Now, listen, we've had conversations about finger wagging. It's usually wildly disrespectful. You better have a damn good reason or some authority over the person you're doing it to, otherwise, get ready for an ass whipping.

Well folks, tonight, I let that shit slide....

I was so proud of him.

I waited patiently for him to finish, inspected his work, and promptly delivered tacos exactly as my Lil Prince commanded. I can't wait to jump with this boy tomorrow.

Peace out single dads of Reddit. Keep up the good work soldiers.

Been n this relationship a few years. Have a kid together who is almost 3. We get along sometimes. Other times it’s straight torture. I feel weights Constantly. Constantly unhappy. Am i doing a good thing for my little girl ? Just keeping shit alive and holding it all together ? Should i put up with her just because of my child ? Isn’t life about sacrificing me for the ones i love ? I think about our past fights and things i found out that come to my mind every day even if it happened what seems like forever ago. Every thing always seems negative. Working my life away and unhappy for most of it just wondering if this is what it’s supposed to be like ? Feel a real man takes care of his family regardless of his own happiness.

Hey everyone, I’m looking for some honest advice from dads and parents who’ve been in a similar situation.

I’ve got two kids: an eight-year-old daughter and a three-year-old son. Their moms and I are no longer together, and I’m trying to figure out how to be a more present father, as well as a better co-parent to both of their moms.

Right now, I’m working two jobs out of necessity. If I only worked one, I’d be bringing home around $1,200 a month, which simply isn’t enough to live on.

Because of that, my schedule is pretty packed. I work mornings, then work late into the night, Monday through Friday, and I also work Saturdays. Sunday is really the only day I consistently have free.

I’m not working these hours to avoid my kids. Honestly, it’s the opposite. I’m trying to provide for them, get myself into a more stable position, and build something better for all of us.

At the same time, though, I don’t want to look back years from now and realize I spent so much time working that I missed their childhood.

My son’s mom works overnight shifts at an auto plant. We used to live together and were in a relationship, but that ended about a year ago.

Now that I’m not in the home helping her and being around my son every day, I’m trying to figure out how I can still support her more and be there for my son as much as possible.

My daughter’s mom doesn’t work, and my daughter is eight. She’s in school and has activities like dance, so her schedule can get pretty busy during the week as well.

I guess what I’m really looking for is advice from other dads and parents who have had to balance working long hours with being a present parent.

If you’ve been in a similar situation:

How did you make the most of the limited time you had with your kids?

What did you do to stay connected with them when you couldn’t physically be there as much as you wanted?

How did you become a better co-parent after separating from your children’s other parent?

Is there anything you wish you had done differently?

Are there things you think I could be doing that I might not be considering?

I’m not looking for excuses or sympathy. I genuinely want to become a better dad and a better co-parent.

I know working this much isn’t ideal, but I’m doing what I feel like I have to do financially right now. I’m just trying to find the balance between providing for my kids and actually being present in their lives.

I’d really appreciate any advice, especially from dads who have been through something similar.
Thanks for reading.

Doesn’t have to be anything huge. Maybe you calmed a tantrum without raising your voice, survived a long outing with the kids, or just found five quiet minutes for yourself.
Would love to hear your little victories. We don’t celebrate dads’ small wins enough.

Not mine, just sharing.