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Read the Whole Brain Child. It's super difficult and frustrating to get kids to communicate and work through their emotions, and this book does an incredible job giving you tools to help them do that. Honestly it's pretty helpful for adults, too.
Make sure you're connected with a solid community. If you don't live close to family, trading babysitting with parent friends is a game changer.
If your kid is being whiny, the only chance you have of turning that around is slowing yourself down and being emotionally engaged.
On that note, keep your phone away when you're around your kids. Even when they're infants, it's like they can sense when you're drawn into your device.
Still on that note, absorb this short video. This works for everyone, not just babies. The first time this was shared with me was in a marriage counseling session.
Support your wife. Emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually, all of it. Men are taught to lead their families, and I would argue that often the best way to do this is by making sure your wife equipped and supported to get through the week. That includes the obvious things like changing diapers, feeding the baby in the middle of the night, etc, but sometimes that's as simple as keeping her water bottle filled. And, I will again reiterate the emotional engagement thing.
Stay flexible. Be willing to admit when you're wrong. Allow your kids to negotiate with you (respectfully, of course).
Implement a day of rest (still trying to figure out how to do that for myself).
Make sure you're taking care of yourself, and be honest about the ways your wife can help you.
Probably do some therapy and/or marriage counseling if you haven't already.
Idk, all of that is probably a good place to start.
These are wonderful suggestions and resources. Thank you so much. We have each done a bit of therapy but not together yet. I appreciate your well thought out response!
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