54. Good Dads Burn Out Because Nobody Tells Them This
Us dads are told we’re supposed to constantly show up. To do whatever our family needs. Now not just to provide at work, but to help at home, be present with our kids, and be a loving and supportive husband. Anything less than that and we’re a “dead beat dad”, an “absent father”, or a “bad husband”.
I spent a long time trying not to be one of those dads. But somewhere in trying so hard to be helpful, I started saying yes when I didn't actually have anything left to give and ended up resentful, exhausted, and burned out. Then that became the biggest barrier to the presence my family truly wants from me.
Enter, boundaries. Holding boundaries can be counterintuitive for a dad who’s told he’s supposed to do it all. But they are CRITICAL for maintaining a good relationship with our parents and kids, and just for our own sanity!
What I realized is that when I say yes just to prove I am a good dad, I am not being generous. I am abandoning myself. And eventually that energy shows up in my marriage, my parenting, and the way I move through my home.
If you are a dad who gives everything and still feels like it is never enough, this one is for you.
In This Episode
Why the dads who try hardest are often the ones burning out the fastest
How dad guilt quietly turns into resentment at home
What a real boundary actually is and what it is not
Why saying no can protect your emotional presence as a father
How the Fair Play model helps dads know their role so they can stop guessing
Why self-care for dads is not selfish when it comes from clarity
Episodes Mentioned
If this one resonated, go back and listen to the episode on why men feel unappreciated. It gets into the resentment that builds when we serve from sacrifice instead of joy, and it pairs directly with what I cover here.
Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv9L_Bhz6bk
Also worth hearing: the Fair Play episode, where I break down how clearer roles at home help dads set better boundaries, protect their time, and show up with more presence.
Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ2KExQ-Y8Y&list=PLV-0dTh77R_nI1i3WZ7kYeagM51WeC2-h&index=47
Past Episode mentioned
If this episode resonated with you, go back and listen to the DadicatedJoe episode on why men feel unappreciated, where I get into the resentment that builds when we serve from sacrifice instead of joy. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv9L_Bhz6bk You can also check out the Fair Play episode to learn how clearer roles at home can help dads set better boundaries, protect self-care, and show up with more emotional presence.Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ2KExQ-Y8Y&list=PLV-0dTh77R_nI1i3WZ7kYeagM51WeC2-h&index=47
LINK TO BOOK OF BOUNDARIES https://a.co/d/0104YNM4
Resources Mentioned
Get 15% Off IQ Bars:https://www.eatiqbar.com/DADICATED15
Skds Formula
Sining Prairie meat sticks
La leche league
Watch the Full Episode
Joe Carr is an entrepreneur, advocate, and passionate educator on fatherhood and partnership. Driven by a desire to provide high-quality, nutrient-dense baby food for his daughter Della, Joe and his wife founded Serenity Kids baby food brand after experiencing their own health transformations through clean eating. Now, alongside his work in revolutionizing baby nutrition, Joe is on a mission to help new dads navigate the transformational journey of fatherhood. Through his podcast and social media platform Dadicated Joe, he shares real, honest conversations about showing up for your children, supporting your partner, and embracing the identity shift that comes with becoming a dad.
👉 Get 15% off your first Serenity Kids order with code: DADICATED15 https://myserenitykids.com/
