re: Dealing with your kids growing up so fast...

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Imagine being divorced with 50/50 custody and you get to miss half of their childhood.


I feel ya. It was really rough when they were younger and they would cry for the missing parent when they were at the other’s house.

It’s a little easier now. But man…some days.

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Unfortunately, I am in this boat with you. Monday is the day we always switch. The Monday when picking up from school is always fantastic. The Monday morning when dropping off at school makes for a horrible arse Monday. Still chokes me up almost every time. It was much worse at a younger age.

I will say this... You do miss out on 50% of the time, but the 50% that you do have is much more focused time. A lot of dads take for granted that their kids always sleep in the same house as them and they don't even become half the dad that some of us 50%'ers do.

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Maybe you should have done a better job

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No need for me to be relieved my kids aren't trashy, it was never an option.

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There's a difference between worrying about one dick versus worrying about all of them.

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I would equally worry about a son whoring around knocking a girl up as much as a daughter whoring around and getting knocking up.

If you’re lucky you have them for about 18-20 years. The first half of that they need you and want you. The last half they need you but don’t want you (realistically and statistically). So enjoy every moment that first phase of their life while you can. Don’t work too much. If you get home around 5-6 you only get 3-4 hours a night with them during the week. I know guys who work till 7-8 and never see their kids. Find joy in whatever they love and involve yourself in everything they do.

Yup. fricking sucks bad. My son starts 3rd grade Thursday. This summer he has asked multiple times to let us let him stay up by himself and tuck himself in. We did but wife was a puddle. I’m thankful he still asks me daily to wrestle, but when he stops I’m going to be a mess.

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If you’re lucky you have them for about 18-20 years. The first half of that they need you and want you. The last half they need you but don’t want you (realistically and statistically). So enjoy every moment that first phase of their life while you can. Don’t work too much. If you get home around 5-6 you only get 3-4 hours a night with them during the week. I know guys who work till 7-8 and never see their kids. Find joy in whatever they love and involve yourself in everything they do.

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Yep. For a freaking decade, I had a shiatty commute for a "fun" job (according to outsiders). Had to leave by 6am and often wasn't home until after 6pm, later most days. Traveled almost all January every year, missed early Feb birthday every single year, and traveled frequently the rest of the year. I made up for it by volunteering for activities they liked, and made the best of every weekend and vacation possible.

I think we have done the best we can do, but I regret not doing more.

My baby turns 1 in October and I can't comprehend that.

I swear the second I started reading this thread...



I am not ready.

I hear ya', man. I've got an 8-year-old in the 3rd grade and my 5-year-old started kindergarten, recently. It really gutted me to drop her off on that first day at school. I got a bit choked-up just reading your post.

It's an odd thing, sending your children out into the world. You're so proud of how far they've come and the work you put in to get them there, but so sad to see them move on and a little bit away from you.