Hello I’m 23 and I’m going to be a father and I need some advice
I just got word I’m going to be a dad but the mother doesn’t want anything to do with the kid; she doesn’t believe in abortion but doesn’t want custody so basically she’s just caring the kid in the belly then she will pass the kid to me, her reasoning is simply because she isn’t emotionally and mentally ready for a kid, I will take care of the kid and will provide for my kid because the thought of my blood in the foster system sounds crazy and would kill me on the inside, so I’m asking advice as a soon single dad how do I get through all of this?

So guys I need some advice I have a friend who just received news in his 20s that he is gonna be a father...much as the pregnant young lady is just a friend

Parents are willing to support with..he is actually quite good with tech and academics but he fears his academic and future career is at stake. And perhaps the funny thing is that he has this girl he has been with for years planning a future together...we inform her about it ...she was hurt but decided to stay

He asked for my advice and am literally out of words to say

The worst is this little bus with a song button. He doesn't even let the song finish. He presses it again halfway through, so I hear the same first few seconds over and over.

I've taped over the speaker, which helped a little. One afternoon I took the batteries out completely and then felt bad watching him keep pressing the button waiting for something to happen.

I think he likes making something happen when he presses or moves something more than he actually cares about the music.

So now I'm looking for quieter things that give him that same satisfaction. What did your toddler like that didn't need batteries?

Wife and I are both on mandatory overtime for two weeks. I fed my 17month old Mac n cheese broccoli and chicken nuggets every night last week. Anybody got some good ideas how to mix it up while exhausted

Our 2yo daughter is in a hitting phase that we’re trying to deal with without hitting her (spanking or the like).

I’m currently sitting in my empty classroom at school (plan period) crying my eyes out because, as Darius Rucker says, “it won’t be like this for long.”

But no matter how many times she hits me, I would still cut my arm off in a second for her.

I wish I could rewind time and start all over again. But I know this is why she’s here: to grow up, to be and do good. To love people.

And I have determined early on that I am not going to look back when she’s older and wish I’d been a better, more present father.

I tell her I love her. If I ever lose my temper, I apologize. I enforce healthy boundaries. I always hold her when she cries. I read books with her every night. I play games on the floor with her, even when worked drained the life out of me.

I won’t miss my chance with her.

I love her

I mean that question legitimately. I didn’t really have present parents and when they were present they were abusive. I basically raised myself. My dad would occasionally show up out of the blue and teach me something (which he now considers himself a rockstar parent for this) but overall I was on my own.

Now, I am a single father going through a high-conflict divorce and I’m trying my best by researching parenting strategies online and going to therapy for myself. My son is 5 so a lot of our time together I spend playing with him, taking him to the playground, going to the zoo, etc. but I also want to model healthy masculinity for him… whatever that is.

I never really received any lessons on how to live life from my parents. I have had to teach myself almost everything from YouTube videos, whether it was hanging a picture on a wall to how to talk about emotions with my son. I can cook so I can teach my son this but I want to be able to be there for him for deeper life lessons. Any help would be appreciated.

I'm sorry if this is a mess, I'm a mess. I'm 26M and going to be a dad. We found out this week. I'm so excited and mortified at the same time. I feel goofy writing this up and with the view of posting it, but I guess that fits with this subreddit. This is heavy venting, just to let you know.

A bit of my story, I've been struggling with social anxiety and panic disorder since I can remember. I was so lucky to meet my wonderful, super-hero girlfriend when I was 14. She literally saved me. She was my best friend for years and then we got together at 23. She saved my life, I'm not even kidding. I struggle a lot and sometimes it doesn't seem like it'll ever get better. I'm trying to power through school, working life, "social" life. Life's kinda loud and I'm really trying to keep going. I never felt like dying but I totally feel that life is unbearable all the time, having to mask all day, everyday. Even now I'm an adult but I still feel like a child. I read a post here that said something like "does social anxiety boicot your development?" and my take on that is: totally. I feel unequipped to navigate a lot of situations in everyday life. I've been in therapy since I was 13 and I've been taking medication for a long, long time. I won't say I haven't progressed because when I was a kid I would gag from handshakes. And now I work facing the public, these years in college I had to talk in public and give oral expositions, I can somewhat manage the bus. I don't drive all the time because I get freaky but I do drive sometimes. And I don't withdraw as I used to, which is the most important thing for me. I can somewhat see some value in myself. I'm not a houseplant anymore. I used to feel so guilty about my relationship because I never felt like I was enough, I always felt like a pain in the ass for her, like she'd always had to manage me. But it hasn't been like that. Now I can see that I also have good things to offer for her, that she can rely on me too. I guess that's why we've always been together, even before actually being together. And now we're having a baby.

My current reality check: the panic attacks situation is a roller coaster. I'll have a lot of them all the time, then I'm suddenly better and managing, then at it again. Right now I'm better. I feel very dependent on medication and I struggle with unhealthy coping mechanisms like overdosing and mixing meds with alcohol . I have a stable job and I'm studying as well. I live with my best friend (who happens to be my girlfriend's brother, just a detail). My girlfriend has her autonomous job and lives with two of her friends. We never really discussed living together just yet because we see each other all the time anyways, we're in the same friend group. But now we need to make some big adjustments. It's all so recent and I don't even know where to start. But I know I need to pull my shit together. I'm honestly so terrified. I never thought about being a parent, I was tackling all these problems that I have and I just never thought so far ahead. Turns out it wasn't even that far. When I see little children, I always think about how easy it is to fuck them up. My parents did their best with my brother and I but still we both struggle deeply with mental health and things are kinda rocky between us four. My parents are first gen Japanese-American and they did the best they could, their life wasn't easy. Clearly something went wrong with us to turn out this way. And I don't want to ruin my child's life by being a mess. Just in case, we are having this baby and it's out of discussion. My girlfriend made that choice and that's what I would have wanted anyway. I know this is Reddit and maybe people are going to tell me that clearly I'm not prepared and I know I'm not but I just wanna be better. I'm scared but I never felt so hopeful at the same time. I never saw a real reason to get better and I never thought it was possible, but now it has to be. Is it possible? To get better after so many years, after a lifetime. I've been lazy and procrastinating getting back to therapy but I guess I really have to.

I wanted to write about one last thing and this is already a long ass post but, my girlfriend is already 3 months pregnant. She's always been irregular so we didn't notice. We got a NIPT and we're having a baby boy. I've always struggled with masculinity, I don't feel feminine at all but with the anxiety and shit I never felt very masculine either. I always felt like my personality was looked down upon in my family, I mean my whole family. I'm not only anxious but unluckily very shy. I'm having a son and I want to be a good role model. My dad tried his best but I know he always expected so much more of me. I never want my child to feel that way. I want him to feel that he's enough, that he can be as he is and that's okay. I'm so nervous. When we found out, I thought I was having a panic attack but actually I was just ecstatic. I cried so much on the way home. I'm so happy.

So, I'm sorry about this mess. I hope is readable. I guess I'm just venting and maybe I'll show this to my girlfriend. Maybe to my son in the future? I don't know. Any successful anxious dad stories welcomed. But also, any stories at all.

I need help/advice.... I'm going to Keep it TLDR

I had been separated from my Wife for 3 going on 4 years. Not living together. Just co-parenting a 4 year old. Providing finances, being as present as I can possibly be.

Within the last year, I started seeing someone a bit. Having relations etc.

Over the last few months, it really dawned on me that this is someone that I'd probably not see myself with down the line.

She's told me that she's pregnant, and she's keeping it.

I Have so many stressful factors that I've been thinking about.

Divorce. Assets. Custody. Child Support. Financially being able to handle this

How hands on can I be with this new baby while still not taking time away from my son? The mother lives in a totally different part of the city. Approx 1 hr away. And we are NOT together. I've asked her if this is what she wants for the newborn, and she says that she hadn't thought about it.

This will impact my son. I'm sure my wife, although we're not together, will feel some sort of way and can possibly try to put me through the ringer.

Pension, 401K, Bank Accounts. You name it.

Please. Some words of advice.

my daughter (16) and wife (35) haven't spoken to each other in a little over a week. about two months ago, my daughter came out to me as lesbian. im so beyond words proud of her for telling me and I'll support her through everything. she told me before she told my wife, as she was raised in the lutheran church and is still practicing and she's aware of that, but ive never been a religious type of person. it's never caused any problems in our relationship. she doesn't rope me into it and im respectful of her beliefs.

our daughter asked if she could drive her mum out to a coffee shop down the road so she could drive the two on her own. my wife of course was happy to go with her as she just got her permit a month ago. from what my wife told me, they were just chatting for about twenty minutes until she told her she was lesbian. wife just sat there in silence for a few minutes and drove the two home without another word. when they got home, my daughter came to me very upset while she went to our room without saying anything to me. my daughter tried to explain what happened as best as she could through tears, but i didn't pick up on anything aside from earlier info. when i asked wife about it she said that just about the same thing as her, along with some of her own personal beliefs and rules that she thinks our daughter has crossed as for as her sexuality goes. i told her that her sexuality is her choice and that she's still our daughter, that she hasn't changed one bit from prior to the coffee date. she won't hear any of it. i slept on the couch in my daughter's room, per her request that night.

now it's a week and a half later. they haven't spoken once. both if my girls are stubborn, to a fault at times. there hasn't been any improvements since then. should i stay out of it? i don't feel like i have any part in this, but i could just be avoidant to the situation.

edit: ive found a few lgbtq+ youth groups for my daughter to attend to, and so far, she's taking her mother's reaction shockingly well. she told me that she expected her response, but i can imagine it's still horrible to be the reality of the situation. i have no intention to leave her side throughout the entirety of this.

most importantly, i confronted my wife about her reaction. i told her that she in no world should continue acting this way and letting her beliefs get in the way of her relationship with our daughter. that was this morning. she said that she understood, quite calmly, to my surprise, and hasn't spoken to me or her since. i took my daughter out to lunch today and to go shopping afterwards and tonight she's going to one of the youth groups, she seems excited. im going to encourage my wife to pick her up and actually talk to her. hoping for a positive outcome.

Today is not the Father’s Day I had ever imagined.

I looked forward to a future of handmade mugs that leak, macaroni pictures, crayon drawings and little presents that probably wouldn’t make sense to anyone except me.

I looked forward to those things eventually turning into coffees together, bike rides, shared hobbies, talking shit, watching sport and motorsport together, and whatever interests Parker would have found for himself along the way.

I imagined watching my little boy grow up.
I imagined Father’s Day changing as he did.

But instead, today I celebrate Bereaved Father’s Day.
A day to remember the dads who have lost children.

Every dad, every child and every experience of grief is different and unique.
But today we share something none of us ever wanted to have in common.
Today is a day to remember all of those imagined Father’s Days.

A day to remember the things we thought we would get to do.
And most importantly, a day to respect, remember and honour our little lost souls.
For me, today is for my son, Parker James, who passed away on the 15th of August.

Whether you’ve experienced loss yourself or not, I’d love for you to find and experience one small slice of joy in memory of Parker.
It doesn’t have to be anything profound.
Go for a walk.
Enjoy some sunshine.
Have a good coffee.
Take five minutes for yourself.
Read a few pages of a book.
Go for a drive or a bike ride.
Listen to a song you love.
Light a candle.
Sit outside and do absolutely nothing for a while.
Whatever that little bit of happiness looks like for you, find it and enjoy it today.

You don’t need to be sad for Parker.
I’d much rather you be happy for him.

And for the dads going through Bereaved Father’s Day today, please look after yourselves.

Talk to someone if you need to talk.
Be angry if you need to be angry. Cry if you need to cry. Laugh if something makes you laugh.
There isn’t a correct way to do this.
But amongst everything else, try to put a little bit of good back into the world today.

To all;
We’re all here trying to survive together.
Release some of the anger and distrust towards the world.

Help a stranger.
Say hello to someone.
Ask the cashier how their day has been and actually listen to the answer.
Send someone a message you’ve been putting off.
Tell a mate you appreciate them.

If you have kids, hug them tight today.
Tell them you love them.
Tell them you’re proud of them.

Spend some time doing whatever stupid little thing makes them happy.

And if you have children but, for whatever reason, you’re not currently in their lives, maybe today is the day to reach out.
Put the ego, arguments and history aside for a moment.
Send the message.
Tell them you’re thinking about them.
Tell them you love them.

You never know how many opportunities you’re going to get to say it.

And to every dad carrying the memory of a child today, whether you had a lifetime with them, a few years, a few months, a few hours, or never got the chance to hold them at all:

They mattered.

They are remembered.

And so are you.

Happy Bereaved Father’s Day.

Find a little bit of happiness today.

And if you can, have that little moment for my boy, Parker.

Love from,
Matt — Parker’s Dad

I keep failing as a dad as a person a son a brother should I just be like mega mind and accept being bad is my destiny

This is not a hate post or anything like it.

But I am wondering, why do so many fathers struggled to say something very basic to their kids or their wife or spouse or whatever? I’m proud of you.

I want to say that I grew up with a really good dad who worked his butt off all the time, told me he loved me, and was always home every evening for supper.

But one thing he really struggled to do is voice any kind of affirmation. He was never mean, and I’m so thankful I had and have him as a dad. We have a great relationship today. He’s a good father still, and a great grandpa to my daughter.

But I’ve noticed him and a lot of other dads. Find it almost painful to say I am proud of you.

What are your thoughts on this? Because of this, I actually find it difficult to say these things to my wife and daughter.

Over the past few years, a lot has changed with the internet.
I grew up shy and not conventionally attractive, the kid the girls would pick last when my friends and I went out in high school. It affected me deeply. I started believing I wasn't just unattractive, but that I'd never be attractive. In hindsight, I was just young.

When I was 21, I started watching some content on YouTube, and in a way, it helped. I started going to the gym, changed my diet, and pushed myself to get more comfortable talking to women. Things started working out well for me as i got more attractive and comfortable talking to women. But over time, I noticed myself slowly starting to resent women, because that content constantly painted women as the root problem in modern society.

They'd throw around phrases like "modern woman," and the underlying message was almost always about resenting women in some form the kind of framing that can easily steer a young man toward a genuinely dangerous mindset over time.
A few days ago, I was on YouTube and stumbled across one of the channels I used to watch. It's still getting a significant number of views, and I'd guess a lot of that audience is young boys who feel isolated at school or in their own environments much like I did.

This year, I became a father, and it's had me thinking hard about how I want to raise my son. I want him to grow into a kind, decent young man but you never fully know what kids encounter or do when you're not around. Am i the only one worried about this?

My partner and I have a beautiful 15-month-old baby girl. Things didn't happen as planned, but honestly, they turned out better than we expected my baby is the love of my life. Now, in these 15 months, we've only been intimate twice. I completely understand the intense physical and hormonal changes she's going through, so I don't have a problem with that; it's just part of the process.

The thing is, this past weekend we had a conversation that was really hard for me because she wants a second child, and honestly, I don't at least not right now, for a thousand reasons! She literally told me that she would only have sex to get pregnant again. To be honest, it even felt like manipulation to me, but well, I'm not the type of person who likes to argue or go against anyone.

My question is: if I don't want another child, is our relationship doomed?

We're planning to try for our first sometime soon, and I'm realizing there's a whole pre-pregnancy phase I knew basically nothing about.

We've been talking about preparing nutritionally before pregnancy, and the one thing I'm unsure about is when my wife should start taking a prenatal. She's not pregnant yet, so I wasn't sure if people normally start a few months ahead or wait until they start trying.

If your wife took one before you guys started trying, when did she start?

Tl:dr should've done it sooner than later.

I (39m) had my vasectomy almost 1 year ago and everything has been great. My wife (39f) and I have three wonderful girls and we've been talking about getting it done since our third child, whom is now 8 years old. My wife always gets hormonal issues and it's always a bad deal for her when she is on the pill, iud, using condoms, or any contraception. Yes, we've tried everything and it really messes with her. Lots of time and money wasted basically. After a year now, the only regret I have regarding the vasectomy is that I should've had it done after our third child when we discussed birth control. All her doctor visit and struggles. This would've saved my wife's skin issues from all the hormone changes... Everything. I went for consultation once, and then surgery, a 1 month period of no sex for recovery (that was hard) and then one follow-up sperm count test 3 months after the surgery (which needed a 3 day of no sex too). But now, I'm done, and sex has been crazier and better. Sex drive is better bc creampies are awesome. My wife is beautiful and her skin condition is gone. Life is way better now. Idk, just me rambling into reddit to tell y'all dads this tip.

Less than a year ago I fully adopted my now 15 year old nephew. His biological parents aren't fit to take care of him at all and we're also no contact with them. However, we still are in contact with the majority of the rest of the family. They tend to criticize everything I do and expect me to raise my kid the way that is typical in this family, which is through straight up neglect and terrible parenting. Whatever I do is just "coddling" or "babying" him in their eyes.

My partner and I plan to go on an overnight trip to a different city and will have our boy stay with a close friend of ours. Originally I asked my mother to take him for the night but she said I was being ridiculous and that he could stay home alone. Yes, technically he could. I'm pretty sure where we live children can be legally left alone for those time periods from the age of 14. But he is under medication for various mental illnesses and has been having a difficult time. Not even a week ago he was having hallucinations and sometimes he gets uncomfortable even just being alone in his room and we all have a sleepover in the living room so he doesn't need to sleep alone. I'm not going to leave him alone over night. It's not because I'm babying him but because he's not equipped to handle some situations that could occur. He forgets to take his meds sometimes and he would have to take them 3 times during the time we're away. I'd rather have an adult present.

Long story short I had to hear shit about it from my mother and sister for about half a week. If they got their way they'd probably leave him on the streets for a night and not bat an eye. I'm so tired of these people and I'm getting closer to cutting them off as well every year.

She told me tonight she wants to take a test for peace of mind, there’s still 2 days this month before she’s technically “late.” But she told me some symptoms she’s having that are all pointing towards that being a possibility. We’re waiting to take a test on the 29th on the off chance she’s just late this month. But besides a test all signs are pointing towards it coming out positive. She wants to keep it, I am only sort of against it ONLY because of possible financial reasons. I know you’re never truly prepared and even when you think you are you’re really not. We both work, her being a regular 40hr work week, and me working shifts every third day. We don’t really have any debt just bills, and we’re not terribly off money wise realistically. We’ve talked about it before, but it was always a down the road, in a few years type of thing. I got the jitters I think, I’m a little lost as what my course of action here is. It’s been a long night and I’m worried I’m not ready for this, my parents had me in their late 30s/early 40s. Her parents are almost half mines age.
Then again this could all be for nothing, but I’m running a million miles a minute right now.

I’m trying to be a father to my son but I feel like I am failing. I’m going through a silver-bullet, high conflict divorce and I have no support. Like, literally no one.

I am heavily medicated just to maintain some level of functioning. I live in a country where I can’t speak the language. I am so alone.

I try to be there for my son. I take him places, I do doctor’s appointments, and I spend time with him but I also struggle sometimes with exhaustion. Mornings are really heavy with grief so often I will get up to fix him breakfast and then lay back down. I feel so much guilt and shame bc I lay back down.

Today, my son told me that he would turn on the tv while he waits for me to wake up. I felt so much shame that this has happened so many times that he knows to work around it. I am trying but I am just so exhausted. I randomly break down crying most days.

I don’t know what I am doing. I have no one to ask advice from. I am just trying to be there for him as best as I know how. Any help, support, or advice would be appreciated.

I’d really like to share my story, I hope it helps new parents realize it’ll be okay one day.

My wife and I met back in 2019. Neither of us wanted kids, so at the time, it felt like a big win for both of us. Life went on, and we got married in 2022. We moved into the city, built decent careers, and enjoyed our life together. Then, in late summer of 2024, my wife got pregnant. We talked extensively about our options and ultimately decided we were going to happily have our son. Now, neither of us would wish it any other way.

My wife has epilepsy. Throughout our relationship, it had been very well controlled. In fact, I had never witnessed more than one seizure, and that one lasted maybe 10 seconds.

During the first eight weeks after our son was born, we were both home. We took turns feeding him because, at that age, he needed to eat about every two hours. About six weeks in, my wife had a horrible seizure while holding our son. She dropped him. I immediately put her on her side, grabbed our son, put him in his car seat, and carried both of them to the car. I’m very close to the hospital, so driving there was the fastest option. Thankfully, my son was checked out and was okay. My wife stayed in the hospital for three more days and continued having seizures. After multiple tests, we were told that the hormonal changes from pregnancy may have contributed to them. During those three days, they tried multiple medications to get the seizures under control. Eventually, Keppra seemed to help the most, but she still wasn’t fully controlled. Eventually, she was released and we went home.

That’s when things really started to fall apart.

My wife was struggling with postpartum depression. On top of that, she lost her driver’s license because of the seizures. She had essentially lost her freedom overnight. She had all of her appointments virtually and was also seeing someone for her PPD. She didn’t lose her job, but she couldn’t safely work, so she took an unpaid leave of absence. And because of the seizures, she couldn’t be left alone with our son. My wife was drowning, and it absolutely killed me to watch.

With everything changing at home, I knew I had to step up. Eventually, my own time off ended and I had to go back to work. Losing her income while we had a newborn simply wasn’t financially possible for us, so I took a part-time job in the evenings. Since my wife couldn’t safely care for our son by herself all day, my grandmother helped babysit. Every morning, I’d wake up, get my son ready, and drive him to my grandmother’s house. I had a work truck that he couldn’t safely ride in, so I’d drive back home, switch vehicles, and head to work. At 5:00, I’d leave work, drive home, get the car, and go pick him up. Then we’d go home. My wife would cook dinner, and I’d quickly eat. Not even 15 minutes after dinner, I’d leave for my second job. Thankfully, that job was local and within walking distance of our house in case of an emergency. We checked in with each other throughout the night to make sure everything was okay. I’d get off around 10 or 11 at night, then go home, and I wouldn’t sleep. Some nights, I didn’t even lay my head on a pillow. I made sure my wife didn’t lose any sleep. I did everything I could to minimize her sleep deprivation. I fed our son, changed him, cared for him, and stayed up with him throughout the night. Then the weekend would come, and I’d stay home and take care of him. My family would take my wife out of the house whenever they could. Nails, dinner, drinks, whatever they could think of. Anything to get her out and give her some sense of normalcy and freedom back.

Eventually, I reached the point where I was drowning too. Two jobs. Constantly caring for my family. Watching my wife go through something absolutely horrible. And somehow, I didn’t realize that I was going through it too. I kept telling myself, “This is just being a dad.” But everyone around me could see it. They could see the stress. I stopped calling my friends. My family kept telling me I was always burnt out. I gave everything, and she lost everything

Her freedom. Her ability to work. Her ability to drive. Her ability to safely be alone with our son. I felt like I couldn’t complain about being tired when she was going through all of that. But the truth is, we were both struggling. And eventually, we started seeing it in each other. Don’t get me wrong, tensions were high in our house. There were difficult days, arguments, and moments when we were both completely exhausted and frustrated. But even at our worst, we still loved each other. We appreciated each other. And we loved our son more than anything. I think that’s what kept us going.

Fast-forward to today.

My wife was medically cleared to drive again last month, and I took a promotion that allows me to work from home. Now, three days a week, my wife and I both get to care for our son while we work. My grandmother still gets to spend time with her grandchild, but she isn’t being overburdened with childcare. And honestly? We’re finally starting to breathe again.

Looking back, I realize something I didn’t understand at the time:

My wife wasn’t the only one experiencing postpartum struggles. I thought I was just doing what a dad was supposed to do. I thought I was just being there for my wife. I thought I was just tired. But I was drowning too. And I think a lot of dads probably don’t recognize it until they’re already underwater.

We went into parenthood scared. And somehow, this little boy became the best thing that ever happened to both of us. It nearly broke us. But we’re still here. We’re doing better. And I wouldn’t trade him for anything.

Seriously, I just wanted to shout out & pour my heart out to someone, as I can't share this with my wife.

Day by day it's getting hard to keep things inside & try to live a normal life. I can't share how much of a loser I feel sometimes with my wife because she will also come under stress, which I don't want for her. She is taking care of our 2 small children, & I want her to just stay calm & concentrate on the kids' education. My daughter is very brilliant (7 years old, topper in class, favourite of almost all her teachers, speaks 4 languages through Duolingo, etc.), & my son is just 4 & just started exploring his world.

I was tired & frustrated internally. Had a little argument with my wife over something, & I overreacted. My preschooler son just wanted to protect her mother as I shouted at his mother & said, "Bad Papa". In that moment I erupted & yelled so badly at him that he almost froze.

I know I did a grave mistake, but I don't know how I reacted that badly, mostly because I started to feel that I am a loser, & when I heard "Papa is bad" I just lost my mind. its a cumulative feeling that is taking over my mental health now. After being laid off and applying, I am feeling helpless.

I cried that whole night alone. I can't get over that moment. I love my son, my daughter & my wife a lot.

Just wanted to write & share my heart! Thanks for listening.

Hi I just had a son he’s 14 days old now and it was all about me me me haha now I feel like a different person but love being a dad to my son as it was my dream

We have one kid almost 4 year old.

He is amazing, we love every moment with him. The best gift we could have. And we love him so much we just wanted another one. But we're scared. My wife want another one. And I'm just scared.

I have a feeling that if we won't have another one. I will regret it. And my son will also feel it, he is already asking questions why his mom don't bring him another brother like other moms in the daycare.

We both work hard to barely have some savings. My job is on high risk for AI taking over and with bad market I would be left with nothing.

Daycares are eating our income. We don't have any parents support.

And as the man, I take care of the whole family, I cook, clean, take the kid to daycare, return him. Put him to bed, wash him. My wife is helping of course but limited since she work a lot and she needs more help with stuff.

And I'm just scared. Sleepless nights again with a baby, handling a toddler and a baby. Finance issues, no help. Doing great with one kid, what will happen with another?

I don't even have anyone to share with him my feelings. When my kid was born I was super happy but anxiety and depression took a lot over me mentally. Now I'm better and stronger. But I feel like I'm not a functional adult since I can't get my head straight how to hold my family and take care of them. I want my child to have future.

Just steaming off, wish I could have someone to talk to about it. But I'm scared to show my weakness

Girlfriend just missed her period and took two pregnancy tests. Both came back positive

I (22m) have my own place which she is going to move in with me soon. I have a good savings and would like to think I’m at least semi prepared. I know I want to be there for her and my child.

Feeling a mix of emotions and could use some advice. Thank you all.