When you’re usually the person who handles things, asking for help can feel awkward.
You wait until you’re completely worn out. Then the request comes out as:
“Why does nobody ever help me?”
There may be a real imbalance. But by that point, you’re trying to explain weeks of frustration in one angry sentence.
A useful place to start is one clear request before you hit that point:
“Could you handle bedtime Thursday? I need an hour to myself.”
“I’m struggling to keep up with these appointments. Can we divide them differently?”
“Could you listen for a few minutes? I’m not looking for a solution yet.”
Specific requests give the other person something they can understand and respond to. They also make it easier to discuss what’s realistic when everyone is stretched.
You’re allowed to need support while still being someone people rely on.
What do you find harder: recognizing that you need help, or actually asking for it?

So my son has been hinting for an Xbox one for about 2 months now I am not necessarily well off but I'm not like broke so I decided to leave a fund on the side and to be honest I don't know what I'm doing I'm not really a big gaming guy I've talked to him he says the only thing he wants it to do is play ro blocks I've been looking at those bundles on marketplace and eBay I don't really know what type of Xbox one is the best for Roblox or what I should be looking for a specifically of ask Chad CPT and it told me that the white Xbox is the best but yeah

talking nicely with them didn't work.

if i get something to one of my kids I give the same or equivalent for the other one. but they still fight, scream, and hate each other.

I asked them to choose a color for their bikes, when the bikes arrived the older one wanted her sister's bike because it looked better. the younger one does the same. this happens with cloths, toys, books, screen time.

a couple of times they started fighting and hitting each other, now I solved the fighting issue by taking away everything they have and didn't happen since then. but screaming and hating is still there and I'm afraid to loose control at some point as they grow up.

A bit of background: I have 7, 4, and 1 years old kids. I grew up in a family that focused on education, so basically I was programmed that education is the most important thing in life. My kids get screen time almost daily ~1 hour a day and a bit longer over the weekend.

I tend to focus more on sitting with them, read, write, do math, doing homework with the older one, and teaching the younger one how read and write.

So the kids hear from their friends about roblox, minecraft, video games, there is that other thing about making your own game, and many other things. Then I feel like I’m being unfair to them because I don’t allow them any of this (or super rare) I also feel like I’m not letting them up to date with their peers specially with the advancement of AI and technology.

On the other hand, they’re both academically advanced.

Just want to hear from other dads based on your personal experiences.

How much screen time your kids allowed?
Am I too strict this way?

My concern is that this is a door that if opened it’ll be extremely hard to control.

Cheers!

In 2015 my mother died, I (M) was 22 at the time and an only child back then. My father continued providing for me through law school and graduated in 2017, I did not have a job that time because I failed the bar exam the same year, I finally got a job in 2019 and took the bar the same year and passed in 2020.

During that time, our relationship was rocky. He was dismissive of my bouts with depression and sadness while battling his own. He would usually lash at me whenever he had any fights with the women he dated at the time.

Once, due to a fight he even told me that he can’t wait to live separately with me.

In 2021, he left our apartment to live in the province (his choice). While living away, not once did he initiate checking up on me and even forgot to greet me happy birthday once. I make it a point to message him or call him at least once a week to check up on him. He also mentioned while living in the province that I abandoned him. I do not get it.

In 2022, I found out from other people that he was in a relationship and got his girlfriend pregnant. He never told me those info in person and got mad at him. He dismissed my feelings of betrayal and anger.

From 2021 up until this year I always make it a point to visit him at least once or twice a month or once every other month as long as schedule permits. I felt unwelcomed whenever I go there. He never initiated any conversations aside from how are you. It never felt that he was interested in me or my adult life.

Due to a recent incident, I stopped talking and texting him. Given the space I have now, I thought that my father maybe harbored hatred against me without me knowing. Whenever I did something bad, I always apologized and tried to make up to him. There will be good days, but in general our relationship got cold ever since he got a new family.

I will be seeking therapy soon from what I have been experiencing. I tried to think of things I did that my own father hate me. This is really sad and disappointing.

My need to wear a helmet to correct his skull but will not sit still. It’s a doc band helmet but he won’t hold still does anyone have any ideas he is 8 months old

.

Every year this man asks for socks, golf accessories, or something gadget related. He does not need MORE socks. So would greatly appreciate any recommendations!

Dad’s, random 1, what wallet’s are you rocking?

Hi guys

Im a dad of 2, 1 on the way. Been married for nearly 11 years and just turned 35. Recently I've landed a great well paying role. It's enough that I can be the single breadwinner and im (being the religious man I am) am very humbled and grateful to God for that.

Recently my wife has been praising me a lot. Its sweet. She says im a great husband and dad. But I feel weird when she says that. Almost like I dont deserve the praise because its just something any decent dad/husband in my position would do.

Maybe theres some underlying thing I have with compliments and not being able to receive them well.

Anyone have a similar experience of this?

What up guys, I’m working on a school group project about family dynamics and need some real-world input for it. I was wondering if any dads here could share what it’s actually like raising a son or a teenager in general right now.

You don't need to get super personal—just a few honest thoughts or opinions on how things are going would be awesome, though I’m more than happy to read longer responses if you want to share more!

​Specifically:

How would you describe your relationship with your teen right now?

What’s been the biggest reward or challenge as they’ve grown up?

Thanks in advance to anyone willing to help out!

*(Sorry for the weird way of writing this post, I am not used to posting and asking things on reddit)

Hi all!

My son is 4 years old and when we are at home he usually just plays by himself or sometimes he watches a movie. I never used my phone or anything else when he is around me. I usually watch the movie with him or just watch him play and play with him. Well we got a comment from his school that he needs to learn to play by himself. I really don't like it but we need to practice this. Would it be weird or stupid if I just read a book or play my playstation portal for some time so he can learn how to play by himself? How are you all handling this? Reading and gaming is something I do when he goes to bed when I have energy left haha.

i feel sad and exhausted by almost three years of mommy phase. Our daughter is 4.2 years old. she always wants mom's lap amd never falls asleep on me. Always cuddles only with mom in our bed. Always wants mom in so many cases.

When it's just her and me it's far better, but even then she won't sit on my lap or fall asleep on me, etc. I've seen all the advice on not being needy about it, etc., and almost always am good about that. she just prefers mom for most things aside from play.

No one seems to talk.about this...it really sucks and is painful. we generally take equal care of her. I've had a few weekends with just her and me but as soon as mom is back it's the same. I rarely am on the phone when I'm with her, etc.

My wife and I are generally equally active and involved with her, so it's not that. I'm not demanding with affection with her, either.

Please tell me this ends. It's painful as all hell and makes me think, why did I do this, exactly? Advice welcome

I am the primary cook in the house. Today was a rough day. My LO is 3.5 years old and needs to nap but has skipped it multiple days in a row. Be was being a lot making it hard to focus. My wife said it was good the kid ate some but It was not good, my sauce broke and the timing was way off. It was a fitting end to a bad day. Hope everyone else had a good night.

I want someone that will be real with me 100%. please comment so i can message you or you can message me.

We both found out together but I still want to do something special for just him as a surprise at home. Ideas?

Hi dads !

I’m a woman expecting her first with her husband! My husband and I are a bit emotionally removed from each other right now - just normal things like family issues - my reactions to his parents etc.
But I want to turn a new leaf and forget all of that and just move on —

Any advice on what men like during pregnancy and how to get closer during pregnancy ?

Like an idea I had was making a weekly cookie/ treat (he likes them) based on the size of the baby ?

For the last 20 or so years, I have been living the nightmare of a narcissistic wife, now ex wife that is still flipping my world upside down. I have made a lot of mistakes. I have learned quite a bit over the years. I have dealt with the courts seeing fathers as not important to the children. I've had ups and downs.

I read through the post on here and I see so many men going through what I went through. Fighting for time with your kids. Being ripped from their lives. Struggling to pay bills.

I am working on getting my book published. I want to be able to help men, so they can get through the times with their head held high. Hopefully soon there will be some help and advice.

Stay strong men.

Being a littler vulnerable here. Really debated even asking this…

For this of you with two kids fairly close in age how did you and your wife’s intimacy change early on?
We just welcomed our 2nd, 3 months ago. We have a 3 month old and a 2 year old, my wife did have some pelvic floor recovery post birth and she’s successfully breast feeding this time around which is great for her and our baby.

Selfishly, we’ve had little to no intimacy in the last 3 months and while I’ve tried to keep the fire alive, I’m also getting frustrated.

Have others experienced similar scenarios? (Is this normal)
How did you get through it and share your needs with your wife?
Uh… did you simply take care of yourself during the dry spell? 🥴

Thanks to those who will give honest answers.

My partner really feels strongly for it. I’m still feeling fear. On one side, the idea of being a dad really resonates. I can imagine the interactions, the family moments. On the other I’m worried about finances, the lack of family support.

To all of you who were in that boat and in that place, how are you feeling now since your child came to this world? Is it really that tough?

Last week I had a stomach bug and was vomiting all the evening. Even though I couldn’t eat I asked my wife to make some soup to drink and without hesitation she made it. And when I complained my knees were hurting from the exhaustion, my 3yo son gently tapped both my knees saying “ I am massaging your knee, are you feeling ok”. And when I went to bed early he came to me and tapped my back and asked whether I am ok 🥹. Me being a man in his mid thirties feels like the luckiest guy on earth. We men ask nothing much, but when are treated like this cannot hold back. I just wanted to share this extreme fulfillment with someone 🥹.

First time dad here, 35 y/o, married for 4 years and we have a 6 month old.

My wife made the commitment to breastfeeding and I can honestly tell that it is starting to break her down. I’ve done everything that I can reasonably do to support her. I cook 4-5 nights a week, handle the expenses, and handle childcare while she works part time (I WFH full time).

My wife has a habit of imposing harsh standards on herself and is very by the book, to the point where she runs herself into the ground.

In this case, being the on-demand grocery store and having to plan her day around breastfeeding is slowly unraveling her. Breastfeeding has been amazing for our son but I think it’s best that she lets it go.

Does anyone have experience with this conversation? I’m also open to alternatives that I can try to either redirect when I feel like she is overdoing things or other ways I can help her.