Emotional Availability

The Dad Who Lost His Kids Without Leaving

I need to talk to the dads who are physically present but emotionally checked out. The phone-at-the-park dad. The 80-hour workweek dad who avoids home because intimacy feels overwhelming. Whether it’s work, video games, porn, or anger—the message your kids receive is the same: I’m not worth your attention. And psychologically, that wounds their self-esteem at the core. Here’s how we break the cycle: model repentance. When you lose your temper, don’t bury it. Get on their level. Own it. Apologize. Ask for forgiveness. That’s not weakness—that’s leadership. You can pass on the same scars you received, or you can give them better scars—the kind that heal because you showed them how. If this hit home, like, comment, and subscribe for honest conversations about fatherhood, recovery, and mental health. —Michael, Sober Psychology