Forum From Baby to Toddler

fatherhood is disappointing

1 reply

Hanneke
Ever since our daughter was born, my husband has never really had those paternal feelings everyone talks about. I kept telling myself it would come eventually. Now our daughter is already 1 year old and it's still the same. Dad takes care of her one day a week. He always wanted to do that himself. Dealing with the little one causes him a lot of stress. He's not really a talker, so I can't really figure out what exactly is causing the stress. It also makes him very sad that everything is so heavy. Sometimes he cries out in despair that he should never have started this. That he's so unhappy like this. It hurts me so much. I try to stay strong but it's getting harder and harder. Hence this post now. What should I do?!

Replies

  1. Iza #2

    I'd get someone to talk to him right away—a psychologist, coach, whatever... It seems like he might have some kind of postpartum depression (yes, dads can get it too), maybe from a traumatic birth experience or things that happened earlier in his childhood. Wishing you all the best, and don't let it drag on too long!

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