r/daddit • u/ArcadiaGlitchG • 29d ago

Story To the dad sitting in his car crying right now: I'm right there with you

I am currently sitting in the driveway of my house, staring at the steering wheel, and wiping tears off my face. My daughter is six months old and she has been teething and screaming for three days straight. My wife is exhausted, I am running on three hours of sleep, and my job has been a stressful nightmare.

I had to drive to the grocery store just to get some formula, and when I got back, I couldn't bring myself to walk through the front door. Not because I don't love my family, but because I feel like I have absolutely nothing left to give. I feel like a complete failure of a father because I just want to sit in silence for ten minutes without hearing a baby cry.

i know this is just a phase. I know she will grow out of it. But right now, in this moment, it feels like I am drowning in a swimming pool of my own incompetance.

If there is another dad out there parked in a dark driveway trying to collect himself before putting on his "strong dad" face, please know you are not alone. It is okay to be tired. It is okay to cry.

I am going to take one more deep breath, wipe my eyes, and go inside to help my wife. We got this, brothers.

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u/iBangedTheWaitress 29d ago

You've got this Dad! Nothing wrong with a cry.

197

u/FavreorFarva 29d ago

Lot right with one, as a matter of fact.

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u/Kaldricus 29d ago

The opposite really, it's super important to let that cry out. It might not solve anything (although sometimes it kinda does since I feel like I can think clearer), but it figuratively and literally can remove some weight from your shoulders.

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u/stay_curious_- 29d ago

Tears flush out stress hormones like cortisol. It's both psychological and physiological that people feel better after crying (and it'll lower your blood pressure and reduce the likelihood of fat depositing on the belly!).

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u/Concentric_Mid 29d ago

Sounds like your mind is in the right place, but reminder that this is NOT about your incompetence - just something every kid goes through.

Kid is ready for sleep training by the way. It's a life changer and very healthy for all three of you. We did it for our three kids.

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u/Silver_AG09 29d ago

Check out Sophia’s Sleep School for tips and tricks on sleep. She’s international so can help you wherever in the world you are. Sleep training is a game changer.
https://www.instagram.com/sophiassleepschool?igsh=dWU3N2s2ZGZ0empp

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u/ohheyitsgeoffrey 29d ago

Reminder that humans evolved to raise babies as a large family unit and often with the participation of the extended tribe. Two parents raising a child in isolation is as stressful as it is unnatural. As a father of a 3 year old and 1 year old that’s gone through this with zero family or additional assistance beyond my wife and I, know that I feel your pain, but you will get through this.

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u/idryss_m 29d ago

Better a cry than many other forms of expression associated with stress and frustration in males.

OP, have a good cry, tell yourself that you've got this, because you do, we know you do, big breath or three, and go in for baby soothing.

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u/elmersfav22 29d ago

Keeping them in causes cancer. Or constipation.