The Irish Envy Dad Thread

[Huntr]

How's your wife holding up? My oldest is starting high school next year and my wife is already dreading it, knowing she's got 4 more years.

Oh, she's doing fine. Our daughter isn't moving away, just yet. Might be a mess when that day comes, tho'.

 

[ACamp1900]

Watching my daughter play my wife in call of duty gunfight,… it’s as hilariously one sided as you’d think

 

[ab2cmiller]

Youngest graduated from college today. Watched him play his final college baseball game 10 days ago. Won't lie. That was a tough day. So many years, so many memories. Don't blink fella's. It's over before you know it.

 

[MacIrish75]

Youngest graduated from college today. Watched him play his final college baseball game 10 days ago. Won't lie. That was a tough day. So many years, so many memories. Don't blink fella's. It's over before you know it.

I just started teeball with my boy this year. He’s 4. I love watching him chase that damn ball all over the field. I’m trying to stay in the moment, but I can’t believe someday it’ll all end.

 

[SeekNDestroy]

Youngest graduated from college today. Watched him play his final college baseball game 10 days ago. Won't lie. That was a tough day. So many years, so many memories. Don't blink fella's. It's over before you know it.

Your relationship is about to enter the next phase in life. Hopefully it’ll be just as good or better…it’ll just be different.

 

[SeekNDestroy]

I just started teeball with my boy this year. He’s 4. I love watching him chase that damn ball all over the field. I’m trying to stay in the moment, but I can’t believe someday it’ll all end.

Just do your best to make as many memories as possible. Especially with technology able to document everything. We can’t control time but we can make it count.

 

[ACamp1900]

Youngest graduated from college today. Watched him play his final college baseball game 10 days ago. Won't lie. That was a tough day. So many years, so many memories. Don't blink fella's. It's over before you know it.

My youngest is pretty good at softball. I have already thought on her last game and she’s not even in high school yet. Trying to soak it all up

 

[bige4irish]

Youngest graduated from college today. Watched him play his final college baseball game 10 days ago. Won't lie. That was a tough day. So many years, so many memories. Don't blink fella's. It's over before you know it.

I have 3 girls, by 3 different women & with the first 2, I didn’t have that “kick in the balls” moment when they graduated high school or college. However, my youngest just graduated high school last Saturday (05/17/25) & I am not going to lie, since May started I have shed tears daily! My 1st two are 39 and 35, so when they graduated, I was still teaching and coaching. My youngest graduated early. She is 17. In case someone didn’t notice, there is quite a bit of gap between 1 and 2 and the youngest girl. I retired when the youngest was in 2nd grade. I missed 98% of my first 2’s ballgames and school functions, but after retirement, I was able to go to all of the youngest’s extracurriculars. I am the luckiest fool in the world though, all 3 are Daddy’s girls. For sure, time fly’s and it is gone in a blink of an eye.
I managed to find the craziest woman in the world to marry & she is the youngests mother. She has not shown any love or caring for our daughter since birth. Matter of fact, she refused to hold her after delivery. She has another daughter from a previous marriage and I guess she pours everything she has into her. She is 34 and her mom still sneaks $ out of our account and pays all of her bills. For the past 2 years that is about $2,800 EVERY MONTH! She did get our daughter a gift for graduation though, a $25 Amazon gift card.

 

[SDIrishFan]

What broke my wife - when the youngest moved to middle school

Where we’re at right now. Crazy…

 

[BobbyMac]

Tell me about it. My second grandchild is graduating from college this month.

As much fun as I've had with my kids as they grew up, I've found they are that much more enjoyable as adults.

Best post ever. Great job #1.

 

[Irish#1]

Youngest graduated from college today. Watched him play his final college baseball game 10 days ago. Won't lie. That was a tough day. So many years, so many memories. Don't blink fella's. It's over before you know it.

Don’t worry. He’ll do something good that will build new memories.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

My only just finished HS. Heading off to college to be legacy.

 

[Irish#1]

Going to highjack the Dad thread. The Irish just got their two newest fans. Sarai and Tiago were born early Saturday morning. Never thought we would have 11 grandkids when me and the Mrs. started this thing.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Youngest graduated from college today. Watched him play his final college baseball game 10 days ago. Won't lie. That was a tough day. So many years, so many memories. Don't blink fella's. It's over before you know it.

This is what I keep telling myself during the "difficult" moments like last night when my 10 mo. old woke up at 1am and he needed to be rocked back to sleep. He's teething (cutting two at once) and has been battling some sleep regression the past week or so.

I remind myself that he will never be this little or need me quite this much again, and dads like you guys sharing these types of stories definitely keeps me grounded in the tough times. I have my whole life to sleep...having a little guy who needs me at this age is a blessing, not a burden. It's good to be reminded of that sometimes....

 

[IrishAttorney]

This is what I keep telling myself during the "difficult" moments like last night when my 10 mo. old woke up at 1am and he needed to be rocked back to sleep. He's teething (cutting two at once) and has been battling some sleep regression the past week or so.

I tell myself that he will never be this little or need me quite this much again, and dad's like you guys sharing these types of stories definitely keeps me grounded in the tough times. I have my whole life to sleep...having a little guy who needs me at this age is a blessing, not a burden. It's good to be reminded of that sometimes....

It is a special blessing. Enjoy it while you guys can do so!

 

[ab2cmiller]

Your relationship is about to enter the next phase in life. Hopefully it’ll be just as good or better…it’ll just be different.

As Seek points out, each stage of life for our kids are special in their own way.

For me, I think my favorite age was from about 3-6. The thrill of being greeted at the door by your excited youngster after coming home from work. Pure joy and love. But the pride you feel as your kids get older, setting goals and achieving them is pretty awesome too.

Looking forward to being a Grandpa at some point to enjoy that 3-6 year range again.

 

[Free Manera]

I have 4 all under the age of 11. I often struggle with getting pissed off then feeling bad, thinking "I'll miss this someday" but then being like "oh no i won't!" and on it goes.

But when I have moments of clarity and can just be in this moment, whatever this moment is, that's when it all feels right. We don't live in Buddhist temples optimized for peace and mindfulness. In fact we as parents live on the polar opposite side of that spectrum. But I truly think that being in the moment and experiencing whatever sights, sounds, feels, (and even smells in the baby years), is when it all makes sense.

 

[GrangerIrish24]

Going to highjack the Dad thread. The Irish just got their two newest fans. Sarai and Tiago were born early Saturday morning. Never thought we would have 11 grandkids when me and the Mrs. started this thing.

Congrats, granddad!!!

 

[FWIrish4]

This is what I keep telling myself during the "difficult" moments like last night when my 10 mo. old woke up at 1am and he needed to be rocked back to sleep. He's teething (cutting two at once) and has been battling some sleep regression the past week or so.

I tell myself that he will never be this little or need me quite this much again, and dads like you guys sharing these types of stories definitely keeps me grounded in the tough times. I have my whole life to sleep...having a little guy who needs me at this age is a blessing, not a burden. It's good to be reminded of that sometimes....

Great reminder I came across on Instagram yesterday too. Absolutely going to read this book with a 4 year old and 2.5 year old in my house.

“For 10 years, you are your child’s favorite person in the entire world. And then after that, children have other favorite people…”

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Great reminder I came across on Instagram yesterday too. Absolutely going to read this book with a 4 year old and 2.5 year old in my house.

“For 10 years, you are your child’s favorite person in the entire world. And then after that, children have other favorite people…”

That's definitely a powerful message. I'll have to check out that book as well. Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[rikkitikki08]

My oldest (4 year old boy) starts preschool on Thursday and I gotta tell you boys I’m not looking forward to it. We have been lucky enough that my wife can stay home with our two kids while I go to the firehouse and work a part time gig on the side. Other than family and friends we’ve never really left our boy with anyone we didn’t know. Suffice to say I’m struggling with that a bit, I know this is just the next step in my son growing up but all of the sudden I’m feeling a little bit of guilt for all the time I’ve missed seeing this boy grow up, that being said I’m over the moon my wife gets to see them damn near everyday though. I’m very aware I’m overthinking this but it’s definitely hitting me harder than I anticipated

Sorry for the little bitch vent but had to get that off my chest

 

[Padomer9]

I never knew this thread existed. This is awesome! My wife and I just had a big family birthday party yesterday for our youngest daughter. She turned 2 and our oldest daughter turned 3 in March. We’ve really gotten our oldest daughter involved in different activities this past year. She ran her first kids fun run during an event my wife and I ran a 5K. She had a soccer camp and swim lessons this year as well.

I try to take my daughters to a girls sporting event during every season at the school I teach and coach at. Which they really enjoy. With football practice starting next week this thread really got me thinking and reflecting. I’ve always had my oldest daughter with me for Friday night home games. She loves taking a pregame lap on the track, hanging out with some of my trusted students during pregame warmups haha (the students love seeing my kids at games haha) and hanging out with her aunt (cheerleading coach) and the cheerleaders. Then she watches with her grandparents and mother from the stands. I’ll never forget those memories just from the standpoint of seeing how happy and goofy my oldest daughter is on those Friday nights. I was talking with my wife the other night that it probably isn’t fair if little sister doesn’t join her this year. The early pregame time with my daughter is one of my favorite aspects about home games.

This is a great thread, damn. It’s great reading through all of your posts.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

Being a father is truly our greatest blessing. My kids drive me crazy sometimes, but I wouldn't trade fatherhood for anything.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

Word of advice to dads of younger kids - if you get a chance to coach your kids in a sport, or chaperone an event, or be part of their extracurriculars in some way...do it. Sometimes it can feel like a grind, but it's been one of my best decisions as a dad.

 

[rikkitikki08]

Word of advice to dad's of younger kids - if you get a chance to coach your kids in a sport, or chaperone an event, or be part of their extracurriculars in some way...do it. Sometimes it can feel like a grind, but it's been one of my best decisions as a dad.

This, I just coached my son’s soccer team and it was a lot of fun. Glad me and my boy will have those memories. It definitely was a grind but it was worth it every second

 

[Irish#1]

Word of advice to dad's of younger kids - if you get a chance to coach your kids in a sport, or chaperone an event, or be part of their extracurriculars in some way...do it. Sometimes it can feel like a grind, but it's been one of my best decisions as a dad.

Yep, you won't regret a minute of it.

 

[SWirishfan]

Yep, you won't regret a minute of it.

Asst coach in T-ball or peewee flag is the greatest.

 

[ab2cmiller]

Asst coach in T-ball or peewee flag is the greatest.

Bobby, stop sitting on the ground, there going to hit the ball.
Bobby, stop picking dandelions.
Bobby, stop pretending your a helicopter with the baseball bat
Bobby, you can't throw the ball at the runner, this isn't wiffle ball.

 

[NDohio]

I am really enjoying your stories. Reading about your young kids is awesome. I am at that transition stage where it is really bizarre for me. I have a son who is a Jr in college and a daughter that is a senior in HS. It is really weird as we begin going through this season of "lasts". Hard to believe that in less than a year we will be empty nesters.

Enjoy every single moment of your kids being young and try to spend the maximum amount of time with them. When you get to the stage I am you wish you would have skipped a couple rounds of golf or not taken so many business trips.

Going back through this thread has been pretty cool. Amazing little community we have here sharing these stories…

My youngest just had our first grandchild and it is truly life changing. That event has even caused me to move back to the South to be near them.

I echo the sentiment to you parents of younger kids. Cherish every moment, their childhood will be gone before you know it.

 

[greyhammer90]

Going back through this thread has been pretty cool. Amazing little community we have here sharing these stories…

My youngest just had our first grandchild and it is truly life changing. That event has even caused me to move back to the South to be near them.

I echo the sentiment to you parents of younger kids. Cherish every moment, their childhood will be gone before you know it.

Congrats on the grandkid bud! Are you back in SC?