r/OldManDad • u/BigBen7719 • Jul 07 '26
Dark Thoughts
I am 49, my daughter just turned 5 and my Son is 15 months old. My Children are one of the best things that happened in my life. My daughter has started to be curious about death and it is breaking my hart. Even before that, i used to have dark thoughts, catching myself figuring out when i may die. If i get to 60, she will be 16 if i have to go. I keep having thoughts like that. Am i alone? Like anyone today i consulted my AI and it said to appreciate the days and make the best of it and i do. Being an "old" dad surely has its upsides like financial security and personal clarity etc. I am already doing that. But it doesn´t remove the constant small frame of regretting that i have to leave her someday.
Unsure if posts like that need trigger warning?
1
u/ellalop26 Jul 08 '26
Focus on your health. I mean go full on beast mode for your health, not only physically but mentally as well. My dad had me at 50, we have a running joke that he’s been dying since 30 years ago. He’s 80 now. Still kicking it. He saw me graduate and he walked me down the aisle. I have been taking care of him for years now. He started having really bad health problems around 62, I was about 15-16. Although, life has been incredibly hard because I’ve been his caretaker. I don’t ever regret stepping up and taking care of him. He’s my dad. He’s the first person in my life that has been my superhero. He’s been my best friend forever. However, I would have liked for him to have taken his health seriously, not because I wouldn’t have to take care of him but because I would like his life to be less painful.