Sometimes we get trapped inside our own bubble of home life and the echo chamber of our curated Facebook friend list, and we forgot, or at least don’t put front of mind, the troubles, struggles and challenges others are facing.
Maybe we can’t physically, emotionally or financial do anything to help in the present but being a sounding board, a shoulder, an ear to our fellow parents can help lift a tiny portion of the burden off them. This is just one more reason we’re so proud of the community on the Life of Dad Facebook page, because dads and moms can have uncomfortable, honest conversations like these ones after we asked what challenges you’re facing right now.
Rob Hensley: Me working four 16 hour nights and during my 3 days off my fiancé works 2 and a half days. We don’t seem to get to much time together and I don’t get enough time with my son and two daughters. Daddy has to work but still feel really guilty about it.
Jeremy Roy: Started the empty nest process back in January: Two boys, almost 19 and 14, and two girls, 18 next week and 7 1/2. My oldest boy moved out in January, graduated in May and enlisted in the Army National Guard. My daughter is already talking marriage (thank God I like the boy) I’m struggling with them leaving home. Did I teach them everything they’re going to need? Was I too overbearing? What could I have done different? Who am I going to get to do the dishes? But seriously, just a lot of worry and concern that I can’t quite overcome.
J Aaron Jensen: Debt. House fire. Doctor bills from 3 year old falling off top bunk. Totaled car. Damaged wife’s car. 6 year old not behaving well in school. Communicating with Down syndrome 5 year old daughter. Father having a heart attack and going on disability, worrying about how to care for him. Trying to manage the stress of this and the demands of my job.
Albert Arriaga: Trying to get my 9-year-old son to understand how crucial it is not to be the stinky kid in class! When he showers he forgets to scrub his feet and bottom — seriously, he’s got the deodorant and cologne part down, but showers, nope. Any advice dads???
Dru Ryan Longstreet: Making time. I work graveyard shift then when I get home they’re off to school (4 and 8) my 4 year old is home for lunch but I rarely get quality time with my 8 year old and he needs it so bad (he has cp) and making a connection with him seems impossible at times. The most I can do is buy him treats and tell him I love him everyday.
Chris Harris: Not getting fired from my job. My partner and I have a 2 year old daughter and I work in Costa coffee shop. My partner suffers crippling migraines every few weeks and this sometimes means I have to take a day off work to care for my daughter. How do I explain this to my boss as she simply does not understand?
Andrew Whitley: My biggest struggle is with my girls’ mother. I have full custody of the girls and their mother won’t call or come by to see them. They haven’t seen her since we split up in May. I constantly have the girls asking me why doesn’t mommy love us anymore to hear them ask that question it makes it hard.
Simon Warner: Trying to explain to my 1, 3 and 5 year olds why they cant visit their ninny in heaven. It’s been 2 months.
Andrew Stitch Mata: Struggling to make ends meet to make sure my son is taken care of. Money is getting tight and it’s getting tough but I’m still trying.
What are you struggling with right now? Share your challenge with us on Facebook.
*Flickr photo by Parker Gyokeres, used under Creative Commons license.