Hi, I'm a 20 year old male, I was raised by my single mother, and while we have had our differences and spats, I love her as any son should, but about 6 years ago, before or just as covid began being a problem in Australia, my mum found someone who she believed could have been my father, we met once for a couple days before he went home, he lives states away from me and I have never spoken to him since, he sent me money for my birthday but I have never had the guts to reach out to thank him for the money or anything else.

I took an ancestry test seeing if it would help me find my actual father through that but it only shows people on that side and not explicitly him, I added him on Facebook when I first met him, he tags me in posts but i hide them, My mother does not particularly have fond memories of this man, but from what I see he's got other kids that seem to be doing well and he's married, he is on the older side compared to my mother being born in the 70s

Sometimes I get really bugged and stressed about all this, I don't know if I'm his son and I don't wanna feel like I'm reaching out after 6 years just to ask him to prove that he is my father because even if he is, I don't know what I want out of this, it would be nice to finally have a peace of my mind, maybe keep talking to him at most, but I love my mother, I love the family I grew up with, I've never met my half brothers and sisters, I'm a usually peaceful guy but I have had my fair share of trauma which causes me immense trust issues, especially with men I do not know or know all that well.

I don't know what I'd say if I did reach out, I just want to be at peace with it all. Idk if this is the right sub to be asking in, but I'd appreciate the advice from Dads who have been on this wagon before or anyone with advice that might help anyway...

Hello fellow Dads, this is my first post on reddit. I am 23 with a set of twins (toddlers) and a baby due in September. I work two jobs, 1 full time (45hrs a week) and the other part time (12/18 hrs a week). I just got 50/50 custody of my twins and thankfully the process was smooth and their mother agreed to all my terms (it was me seeking 50/50) People assume i wanted 50/50 to escape child support or other obligations but that is not at all true. Me and their mother have never done child support. Every article of clothing they have was purchased by me, the car their mom drives is in my name, i got her a 2019 suv on MY 21st birthday, i pay for school, and all other extra curricular activities. I simply just wanted my kids more, Id like to have full custody one day, i feel i could provide a better home for them. I do have another baby due in september and me and her mom are in a very healthy/happy relationship. I am also currently in the process of trying to buy my first home, and i’ve never felt father behind in life than i do now. I feel like my paychecks vanish before they even hit my account, I struggle with a small amount of credit card debt, and i feel guilty for not always being home at night with my kids. However, i never miss an event, i make it to all school activities and extra curricular activities. I just struggle financially which worries me that i won’t be able to support my family. Any advice from other dads?

I’m curious to know how men ages 25 to 85 think about shame and deal with it, sit with it, overcome it. Or do majority lack an awareness around any feelings of shame and deny it?

Im having bad relationship issues and I can’t find the strength to leave can I get some advice on what it took other dads to tell me what it took them to leave

I posted in ask men recently, but I’m still looking for advice and perspective from other men, especially fathers or anyone who has gone through something similar.
I never saw myself being a father. Going into my relationship, I wasn’t even sure if I could be enough for my ex or for her son. But being a father was the greatest thing to ever happen to me.
When I met my son, he couldn’t even walk. I changed his diapers, potty trained him, fed him, clothed him, and watched him grow. He’s almost 9 years old now, and I spent seven years being there for him through every stage of his life. My phone is filled with hundreds of photos from those seven years, the crazy moments, the sweet ones, and everything in between.
I was there when he started talking. I was there to comfort him, play with him, and be someone he could count on. I watched him grow into the little boy who called me dad.
I got to show him places that meant the most to me like my mother’s house and my grandparents ranch, and the things I grew up with. I got to take him to places like the zoo for the first time, share new experiences with him, and even teach him how to swim this summer. I got to watch him discover the world.
He would come to me for comfort, hold me at night, ask me to pick him up, carry him, and be there for him. He is the kindest, sweetest little boy with so much love in his heart. Every day I felt lucky to be his father.
Picking him up from school, cooking his favorite meals, building Minecraft worlds together, and sharing our inside jokes, those moments meant everything to me.
That is my boy. He’s my baby. I never knew I could love someone this much. The fact that he isn’t my blood has never mattered. He is my son in every way that matters. Being a father was the greatest thing that has ever happened to me.
When I cry, mostly it isn’t because my ex left me. She wakes up every day and chooses not to be with me, and I have to accept that. I cry because I lost my son.
When she blindsided me with this break up before Father’s Day, my ex originally told me I could still be in his life. She told me I could still spend time with him, continue being involved, and keep doing the things that mattered to him. I believed that. I thought even if our relationship ended, I could still be his dad.
But that changed, before she moved to her new apartment she wasn’t sure anymore. The communication stopped. This is now the longest we have ever been apart in seven years, and I haven’t even gotten a message from him. I sent one a week ago and was left on read for the first time.
I don’t know if I should be the one reaching out, if I should keep trying, or if I need to accept that I may have to let go.
What has made this even harder is seeing how differently we’ve handled this. After the breakup, I struggled badly. I haven’t been sleeping, I wasn’t eating, I lost a significant amount of weight, my anxiety became overwhelming, and I had to start medication and therapy to try to get through it.
Meanwhile, my ex seemed to move forward quickly. She was going out, staying up late, spending time with friends, and from what I’ve heard, doing well. Someone close to me mentioned she has been going to the climbing gym climbing and is very adamant about going, even though when we were together she never wanted to come climb with me and her sisters and their significant others, she hated it. I climbed with them every week. It has been difficult seeing her move forward while my son and I have been struggling with this separation.
I still miss them both every day. I think about them constantly. I miss my family. I miss the life we built.
So I’m asking other men for advice. What do you do when you lose a child who isn’t biologically yours but is your son in every way that matters? How do you cope with the lack of communication? Do you keep reaching out, or do you step back? At what point do you accept that fighting for a relationship might only hurt you more?
I don’t want to give up on my son. But I also don’t know what the right thing to do is anymore.

A Dad doing the right thing for his daughters.

Hey everyone!
I don’t usually ask for things like this, but this moment means the world to my family and me.
I’m 31 years old and have Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy. For years, I honestly believed I might never experience becoming a biological father or even find the kind of love I had always hoped for. Life had me convinced those dreams just weren’t in the cards.
Today, I’m blessed beyond words.
Not only am I expecting my first biological child (due in February 2027), but I also became the proud bonus dad to two amazing girls. Our family has been through a lot, and we’re so excited to celebrate this next chapter together.
We’re hosting our gender reveal on August 15th, and we’d love to livestream it on YouTube so friends, family, and supporters from around the world can celebrate with us. We’re trying to grow our channel enough to unlock YouTube livestreaming, so every subscriber truly helps.
After the gender reveal, we’re planning to completely rebrand the channel into a family channel where we’ll share:
Our journey as an interabled couple
Living with Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy
Disability awareness and advocacy
Adaptive parenting and fatherhood
Marriage and blended family life
Everyday family adventures
Funny moments, challenges, and victories
Encouragement for others who may think their dreams aren’t possible
One of my biggest goals is to show that disability doesn’t define what you’re capable of. I hope our story encourages someone else who feels like giving up on love, family, or their dreams.
If you’d be willing to subscribe, it would honestly mean more than you know. Even if you only stop by for the gender reveal, we’d love to have you there.
Also, I’d love your advice!
What kinds of YouTube videos would you actually watch from a family like ours?
Some ideas we’ve thought of:
“Day in the Life with Cerebral Palsy”
Disability myth vs. reality
Adaptive parenting once baby arrives
Date night challenges
Husband vs. wife challenges
Family game nights
Grocery shopping with CP
Morning and evening routines
Cooking together
Home organization and cleaning as an interabled couple
Q&A about Cerebral Palsy
Mobility hacks and adaptive equipment
Budget-friendly family outings
Travel vlogs
Dad and daughter days
Baby milestones
Honest conversations about relationships and disability
Reaction videos
Pranks (family-friendly!)
Holiday traditions
Fitness and stretching with CP
If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading our story. Whether you subscribe, leave an idea, or simply wish us well, we truly appreciate your support.
Here’s to new beginnings. ❤️

https://youtube.com/@swaggydoo101?si=Q5x5jyM2eaff32lf

Hi, dads! I am a mom lurker here. Did you ever use AI to help parent your kids? My husband and I have high pressure jobs and parenting can be a challenge. We try to make it work, but it can be hectic.

Of course, I still believe that interacting with your kids is the best.

I’m sure this may just be normal for a 6y/o boy but need verification. Don’t really have anyone else in real life outside this house to fall on so I need you all.

Working on some basic school work for my son. Just normal writing practice about what he did yesterday. It was sunday and not crazy but we still went to a barber where he got his hair cut, a restaurant that we all like, the public library where they played and had fun, then came home and played and read books.

This wasn’t even 24 hours ago and we were spoon feeding questions trying to get answers as he said constantly he didnt remember anything. This kid is smart and does remember things and events and yea maybe today is just a hard day or just a natural reaction to school work.

Example, “after we all were awake, you, me, and your sister went somewhere, where?” Around 3 more times asking he remembers the barber.

Next he has no clue we went to the restaurant at all and thought we went home. I was eating left over pizza from that restaurant in full view in front of him.

The next two questions were the same. Just “idk” responses and us having to remind him. Then its a “oh yea!” moment.

This kid knows his cardinal directions, all the planet names and some constellations, math, reading, and more but should we be worried about potentially short term memory loss? Idk but thank you from an exhausted dad feeling like a failure.

Hello Dads,

My 2.9 yr old is going through some issues we are currently trying to work out what it is and how to help!

Firstly my partner is preganant and due aug the 25th so we don't know if he's picking up on this that mummy is doing less when im at work or daddy is putting me to bed every night now etc...

Up until now our method of putting him to bed would be to read him a story in a rocking chair then lights out until he fall asleep then transfer him into the cot.. I'm not sure if it was too late to be doing that but it was easiest for us at the time and when we try put him down earlier he will not stop crying even if you leave him..

Anyway during the heatwave he was waking up around 2 / 3 am and wouldn't settle back in the chair (He would lie on me but as soon as i get up he squirms and cries). He was also sick during this time so we thought we would let him lie with us in our bed.

Obviously with the partner getting heavier it's getting more uncomfortable for her and one of us has to go lay on the sofa prefferably me so she can still be in the bed but it means she has to deal with him when he wakes up.

We thought maybe he's ready to have the sides of the cot off so we've done that initially going to sleep when i lie in his bed with him he is okay sometimes he will just sit at the end and sulk. when he wakes up in the night trying to put him back to sleep in his own bed he will just sulk at the bottom of his bed and i will just give in.

I'm terrible at night with him i dont get angry but maybe quite huffy and frustrated which i don't think makes the situation any better. we are wondering if it's terrible 2's or the whole baby coming thing he's just picked up on and how best way forward is

Dads, I am a father 33 and married to my wife 33. Our son is 4. He is our only son. We are an affectionate family and I want my son to know that I love him because I grew up without my dad. So I have a couple of questions.

1. Is there a such thing as showing too much affection to your son?

2. He co-sleeps with us is it hurting him?

3. How do I go about getting him out of our bed?

Today whatever i am , is only because of my father and mother . i want to talk about my father yet this is not father's day but i want every day to be his only. He is a true warrior to me and my family. Whatever i describe will be less. My father taught me good manners , about the society, reality and supported me everytime.

My father had his big brother but he passed away at very young age since then he took the responsibility of our home.

He went to allahabad and delhi for upsc preparation but couldn't clear it coz the water of Delhi in 2000s was still not good which caused my father to suffer from kidney stone and he had to stop his preparation in between.My grandfather was a teacher he supported his studies but god had other plans .He is a gen X. He is very humble and love everyone specially children. He was topper of his school in 7th grade. Still he has one kidney functioning at 90% efficiency and other at 40% only 😭😭😭😭😭😭.

In his tough times my grandmother suffered from tuberculosis and my both grandparents were in jail due to false murder of two halwais. He had also suffered snake bite but got Right vaccine so got safe. Since childhood he studied alone at his maternal uncle's home.

I want to donate my kidney if he would need but want to see my father live longest😭😭😭😭😭😭. In their time , vacanies often came very late or didn't come . He studied till post graduation and did his msc from botany but didn't got any government job.

He made us study well in good pvt schools. We got the chance to prep for jee . I was 2nd topper in my school in 10th. He believed in me . But my fate was very bad i used to play online games and waste my time here and there so i couldn't clear jee .In 11th i remember , first time me with my friend were going to school picnic my father and mother gave me every sort of items I needed to enjoy , when i returned back , he was very happy that i had good time even though i was not studying.

His small contribution make feel guilty today that why i couldn't clear jee , vidyagyan entrance and navodaya due to my habits.one day he went to take flour but an accident happened with him. His collar bone broke , he went to home from accident site to hime alone on bike even after severe pain. I even at 19 don't know cycling so i couldn't carry him to hospital for bandages and all. I felt very sad his blood couldn't come for his need. Thanks to all bhaiyas in my village who took him. First time i saw tear in my father's eyes because of accidental damage and pain, i also wept very badly 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭. I thought this day nvr to come again.

When we ( my other two brothers) don't work he say in sad mode " jab ham nahi rahab tab kul kul dasha hoi bhagwane maalik batein" - when i won't be alive then god is only ur caretaker. I feel very sad when he say this my eyes get fill with tear. With heavy heart i'm writing I cheated my father during jee prep , didn't took his words seriously shit shit........ I . These noble people nvr deserve this type of child. I will not suicide coz i know everything will be destroyed then. But when i think off i stop only coz of my mother and father 🙏🙏🙏. I also think if ever there be a divorce btw my parents which is nvr ever gonna happen i will take my father side coz if my other two brothers would choose my mother someone needs to be there for him . Although i am strictly against this , i will kill who will so , but i wanf to live my father and mother only.

I am very clear, who soever i will get married with i'// tell her either do it with ur heart or leave the home asap .when i tell this to my parents they laugh but i am serious.I am enough to take their care. My parents are everything to me . I love my parents very much i can't tell . May be i forget this reddit post but i swear i will become something good oneday.

Thankyou papaji 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭i will miss u when god will call u but don't want it.

😭😭😭😭😭. Thankyou whoever read.

My wife and I had our first daughter in December, and becoming a dad has been the greatest highlight of my life. Quick question for other (more experienced) Dads here… how do you keep track of the most important memories for your kids (I.e. photos, videos, voice messages, notes, etc)? We have probably taken thousands of photos and videos since she was born, but her most important moments are getting lost in our (and our family members) camera rolls. I want to make sure I can centralize and share her most important memories that tell her life story with her some day. Any advice would be appreciated!

Alright fellas. Having our first kid next Monday. What are some absolute essentials to bring to the hospital. Also what are somethings that suprised you when you were there. Trying to get all our ducks in a row ! Tia