Latest news with #fatherhood
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Grown-Ass Men Reveal The Moment They Knew They Were A 'Manchild'
At the edge of a high school track, I watched my 11-year-old son Thomas' face drop as the announcer read out the long jump results. His event was already over. I'd asked his twin brother, Charlie, to check the meet schedule, and he'd given me the wrong time. I'd trusted an 11-year-old with something that was my responsibility as the adult. Thomas had trained for months. Now he stood there, trying not to cry, while other kids celebrated. What hit hardest wasn't just that Thomas missed his event. It was that I'd let both of my sons down. One missed an important event he'd trained for. The other was left carrying the blame. And both of those outcomes were on me. That moment revealed a pattern I was reluctant to face. Even though I was divorced with 50/50 custody, I often treated parenting as a task I could delegate. I was trying too hard to be liked. I wanted to be the fun dad, not the firm one — and that meant avoiding some of the more mundane or difficult responsibilities. I kept acting like their friend when what my kids needed was a responsible adult. What I was doing is known as being a 'manchild,' a term used to describe men who avoid responsibility at home through procrastination, deflection or feigned ignorance. Men often say they are 'just not good at multitasking' or that their partner is 'better at organizing,' but the outcome is the same. One person ends up doing the emotional and logistical heavy lifting while the other waits for direction. This dynamic I experienced reflects a broader cultural conversation about men avoiding responsibility. Sabrina Carpenter's viral summer hit 'Manchild,' which has inspired dances, discourse and social media buzz, calls out grown men behaving like children. Though aimed at a past relationship, the song echoes a broader frustration with men dodging responsibility at home. The pattern of feigned ignorance is familiar to family therapists. 'They pretend they aren't aware of things that most people with kids would have on their radar, like needing a teacher gift at the end of school,' Bonnie Scott, a licensed professional counselor at Mindful Kindness Counseling, told HuffPost. These habits can follow men for years, but some are forced to grow up fast. When Man-Children Are Responsible For Real Children Rene Garcia, now the owner and lead clinician at Garcia Mental Health, learned he was going to be a father at 23 while still in college. 'My first daughter was unplanned, and I had not graduated from college yet. I desperately wanted to be a support for her and felt powerless on how to do so.' Garcia's biggest challenge was confronting his inconsistency. 'I'm awesome at goal setting, but following through is different. You become unreliable and someone people don't trust. This destroys relationships with kids and partners.' The deeper issue was internal: 'Change makes you challenge things in yourself you have purposefully pushed down, possibly out of protection. What pushed me was wanting to stop the same patterns from happening over and over again.' He was confronting parts of himself he had ignored for years, and the cost of continuing old patterns had become impossible to ignore. While Garcia's awakening came through early parenthood, other men face their limitations during crisis. Thomas Westerholtz, a therapist and father, experienced his turning point when his son was diagnosed with a rare and life-limiting medical condition. 'When your child is fighting for their life, you can't hide behind performance. I realized I was 'doing' a lot — working, showing up — but not always emotionally present with my family. I wasn't holding space for fear, grief or everyday vulnerability.' 'I used to quietly assume my partner would manage the emotional temperature of the household, birthdays, school forms, noticing when our kid was off. I wasn't actively avoiding it, but I wasn't owning it either. That left her burnt out and feeling alone.' When It's Time To Grow Up For men ready to change course, the hardest question they need to ask themselves, according to parenting psychologist Reena B. Patel, is whether they get defensive when asked to take responsibility. 'That defensiveness is usually a sign that you know you're not pulling your weight,' she said. Other warning signs include expecting partners to handle the majority of emotional labor and avoiding tasks until someone else steps in. Scott said the first step is uncomfortable but simple: 'Approach your partner and say, 'I want to make sure I'm doing my part in managing our life together. Could we sit together and talk about something like the weekly schedule?'' The goal isn't to take over but to participate with genuine interest. Planning was Garcia's breakthrough: 'PLAN! I never used to plan anything. Now, if I don't write it down or put it on my calendar, it won't happen.' Letting go of pride was the first hurdle Westerholtz had to face. 'Feeling useless at first' was the hardest part, he said. 'Vulnerability isn't something most men are trained in. I had to learn not to jump to fixing, but to actually be with pain or mess: my own and others'.' Westerholtz now checks in weekly with his partner and uses a shared calendar with reminders like 'pack lunch' and 'doctor follow-up.' 'Visibility equals responsibility,' he said. These changes have brought broader impacts. 'There's less resentment. More tenderness. My partner doesn't have to mother me, and that makes space for partnership,' Westerholtz said. The change has also shaped how their son understands masculinity: 'I also see my son learning not just how to survive, but how to be a man who feels, apologizes, and holds others with care.' Consistency became the turning point in Garcia's relationship with his daughter, but it required moving beyond traditional activities. 'Being intentional with our time, and not just taking her to dinners or baseball games, but getting to know her personally, has built a relationship between us that is indescribable,' Garcia said. When Garcia volunteered as a WATCH D.O.G. (Dads of Great Students), seeing his daughter light up when he showed up for lunch made her feel supported at school and among friends. What Kind Of Man Do You Want To Be? These fathers are consciously breaking generational patterns. For Westerholtz, this transformation meant redefining what it means to be a man for his son. 'Before, I think I believed being a man meant protecting, fixing and staying strong. Now I think it's about being present, especially when things are messy.' He tells his son it's OK to feel scared or sad, and that real strength means talking about emotions instead of shutting down: 'We talk about emotions like weather. They pass, but you don't need to pretend it's sunny when it's not.' This shift in emotional openness extends beyond family. In his male friendships, Westerholtz brings the same vulnerability. 'It used to be all banter and distraction, surface-level. But when I started being real about how hard things were with my son's health, I found that most men were relieved. Like they'd been waiting for someone to go first.' As he puts it: 'Vulnerability invites connection, not just with our partners, but with our mates too.' Patel notes that children benefit directly when fathers develop emotional maturity. 'They model respect, empathy and resilience skills that their children will carry into adulthood. Partners also feel more supported, less stressed and free to be individuals, not caretakers for another adult.' The 'manchild' label stings because it highlights a gap between how men see themselves and how they actually show up. Like Garcia and Westerholtz, I'm learning to show up differently for my sons. I need to be a father who is sometimes a friend, not a friend who is sometimes a father. That track meet taught me the hard way. Now, I check every appointment, every schedule, every exam and essay due date. Nothing has been missed since. My sons are 18 now, and my habit of double-checking everything still annoys them. But I would rather that than let them down again. As Westerholtz put it: 'You're not less of a man for softening. You're just becoming less of a boy.' Related... How To Avoid Being The 'Angry Dad' — Even If That's The Kind Of Father You Had Sabrina Carpenter Fans Are Fuming Over Her 'Degrading' New Album Artwork I'm A Gender Researcher & This Is The Real Reason Women Are Stepping Away From Dating & Relationships Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Pete Davidson FINALLY breaks his silence on girlfriend's pregnancy and reveals A-lister who gave baby advice
Pete Davidson is finally speaking out about becoming a father after his girlfriend Elsie Hewitt revealed they were expecting their first child together last week. During the premiere of his new film The Home on Tuesday in New York City, the 31-year-old comedian gushed about how happy he was since learning he will be a first-time father, and he also revealed a famous friend who have showered him with advice for a new baby. 'I'm very lucky and very, very happy,' he said while speaking with E! News on the red carpet, shortly after he taped an interview with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show in which he also spoke about his impending fatherhood. The former Saturday Night Live star said he was excited about 'being able to take care of something and show it the childhood I didn't have.' 'I assume you just try to give them what you didn't have, and what you didn't like, not do it,' he added. He has some star pals who will help him do just that, as he revealed that Adam Sandler had given him some advice on fatherhood. 'Everybody's just been super excited for me, because they know it's been my dream,' Pete said of his comedy friends. 'They all just have been like, "You're going to be great at this. It's the best thing you'll ever do in your life." 'Sandler gave me some great advice,' he added. Sandler — who attended the premiere of his new comedy Happy Gilmore 2 on Monday night — should have plenty of experience, as he and his wife Jackie share two daughters. 'It's been really nice that everyone's super excited,' Pete continued. 'When you do something, when we do anything, you want everyone to be excited, especially having a child.' It's unclear if Pete's old friend Colin Jost could also be a source of advice as he approaches fatherhood. The two once appeared to be good friends, particularly during their stint together on SNL, and they later collaborated on buying a decommissioned Staten Island Ferry in 2022. But in 2024, it was reported that the two had had a mysterious falling out. 'Something big happened, and Colin is now refusing to be in the same building, let alone the same room as Pete,' an insider told The Sun at the time. In March, the publication reported that the King Of Staten Island star had shelled out an eye-popping $20,000 on a Cartier wristwatch as an alleged 'olive branch' to his former pal. However, sources told TMZ around the same time that their friendship had been harmed when Colin struggled to handle Pete's mental health issues and repeat rehab stints. The two were allegedly back on solid ground by the time Pete gave the Weekend Update co-host the pricey watch, which sources said was more of a 'mea culpa' than a true 'olive branch.' The two are allegedly friends again, but insiders claimed their friendship was never particularly close to begin with, as it was primarily a work friendship that became more distant once Pete was no longer part of SNL. However, not that they're said to be on each other's good sides again, Colin — who shares one child with his wife Scarlett Johansson — might be happy to give his friend some pointers. Pete's red-carpet look on Tuesday was particularly casual. He opted for a thin, semi-sheer tracksuit over a white tank top, along with gray-and-blue trainers. The comic, who sported a beard, covered up with black wayfarer-style sunglasses. He was joined on the red carpet by The Home's director, James DeMonaco and Roadside Attractions Co-President and Owner Eric d'Arbeloff. The new film is described as a psychological thriller in which Davidson stars as a troubled man working at a retirement home who discovers disturbing secrets among the residents and staff that may have a connection to his painful past in foster care. While appearing on The Tonight Show on Tuesday to promote the horror film, Pete chatted with Jimmy Fallon about becoming a father. 'You did it!' Jimmy said after bringing up the topic. 'I did!' Pete replied, before sharing, 'If anybody who knows me, it's my dream to be a dad, so I'm so excited. 'Elsie is excited,' he said of his girlfriend. 'I'm excited, you know, to see her be a mom, so we're stoked.' Jimmy added that Pete would be a 'fantastic dad,' which he was certain of after seeing how well he interacted with children. 'It's the best. Everything else doesn't really matter anymore. It's nice,' Pete said of the idea of having his first child. She was Playboy's Miss June in 2017 and scored a high-profile Guess campaign the following year. She has also increasingly focused on acting work; pictured in 2023 in West Hollywood Pete's baby news was particularly shocking as he and Elsie, 29, have reportedly only been dating for a few months. On top of that, the former SNL star's relationship with the London-born model follows a string of short-lived romances with rising stars. Before dating Elsie, Pete was linked to Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, Phoebe Dynevor, Kaia Gerber, Kim Kardashian and Ariana Grande, among others. He is new relationship only came to light in March of this year, when the two were spotted together enjoying the sand and surf in Palm Beach, Florida. Elsie is best known as a rising model and influencer, but she has also ventured into acting in the past decade. She was born in England but later moved with her family to Los Angeles when she was 10, before taking her first stab at modeling in her teens. Since then, she has cultivated a diverse portfolio with a stint as Miss June for Playboy in 2017, followed by a high-profile campaign for Guess in 2018. That year, she looked back on her road to success in a Facebook post. 'When I started modeling I couldn't get an agent. I met with every single agency in LA and time and time again I was told my "look just isn't right," I'm "too commercial," "too curvy," "not a good fit," etc,' she wrote. 'The point is I didn't take no for an answer, I set many goals for myself in modeling, and Guess was a big one. It's special to me to work with a company that embodies empowerment and confidence in the same way.' After some work in short videos, Elsie's first big role was in the TV series Turnt in 2018, followed by an appearance in the 2020 film Teenage Bada**. The brunette beauty then played a version of herself in two episodes of the Hulu comedy Dave beginning in 2020, and last year she appeared as a guest star in an episode of HBO's acclaimed financial drama Industry. Audiences may be seeing a lot more of the model-turned-actress in the near future, as she has several more projects that are already in post-production or are completed and awaiting release. Elsie, who is a dedicated foodie, also runs a separate Instagram account, Elsie Eats, which documents her delicious restaurant adventures, though it went fallow around the time she began her current romance. Prior to her relationship with Pete, Elsie was rumored to be dating Jason Sudeikis last year after they were spotted together multiple times, including sitting next to each other at the US Open. Before that, she dated the music producer extraordinaire Benny Blanco after they starred together in the music video for his Juice WRLD collaboration Graduation in 2019. It was in March that Elsie seemed to confirm her relationship with Pete when she posted a photo of the stand-up star wearing a bathrobe on her Instagram account. Later that month, the two took a trip together to Scotland, which Elsie also documented as more proof that they were romantically entangled. The following month, the two showed off some PDA as they held hands while sitting courtside to watch the New York Knicks take on the Phoenix Suns at Madison Square Garden. In May, Pete and Elsie made their red carpet debut at the Endometriosis Foundation of America's 13th annual fundraising gala. Elsie has previously been open about suffering from the condition, and Pete was there by her side for support. Endometriosis occurs when the endometrium, the tissue that grows to create the lining of the uterus, begins growing outside of the uterine cavity and on neighboring reproductive organs. The growths can damage the organs and also cause excruciatingly painful periods with heavy bleeding for sufferers, and it also can make getting pregnant significantly more difficult for affected women, though the impact on fertility depends on the severity of the endometriosis. In addition to struggling to conceive, women with endometriosis are at an increased risk of miscarrying or having premature births. Since Elsie and Pete's red carpet appearance, the two have kept a relatively low profile. That all changed on Wednesday, when she shared a photo of a shirtless Pete cradling her tummy from behind as he rested his head affectionately on hers. A subsequent video featured the two at an ultrasound appointment as their baby appeared on a video screen, and Elsie followed it up with a copy of her sonogram. She rounded out the post with a bevy of romantic shots of her and Pete looking lovestruck. 'welp now everyone knows we had sex,' she joked about the pregnancy in her caption.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pete Davidson Says It's 'Been My Dream' to Become a Dad in First Comments Since Elsie Hewitt Announced She's Expecting
Davidson also revealed which fellow 'SNL' alum gave him "some great advice" Pete Davidson is one 'happy' future father. 'I'm very lucky and very, very happy,' Davidson, 31, told E! News at the New York City premiere of his new film, The Home, on Tuesday, July 22. The statement marked the Saturday Night Live star's first comments since his girlfriend, Elsie Hewitt, announced on July 16 that they are going to have their first baby together. Davidson told the outlet he is looking forward to 'being able to take care of something and show it the childhood I didn't have." "I assume you just try to give them what you didn't have, and what you didn't like, not do it,' he said. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. His friends, including Adam Sandler, have been supportive and believe he's going to be a great dad, Davidson said. "Everybody's just been super excited for me, because they know it's been my dream," Davidson said. "They all just have been like, 'You're going to be great at this. It's the best thing you'll ever do in your life.' " He added that Sandler 'gave me some great advice." 'It's been really nice that everyone's super excited,' Davidson continued. Davidson and Hewitt, 29, have been linked since March, when they were seen together in Palm Beach, Fla. Two months later, a source told PEOPLE they moved in together. Then, on July 16, Hewitt confirmed they are expecting when she shared a gallery of photos on Instagram that included a picture of a sonogram. 'Welp now everyone knows we had sex,' Hewitt captioned the post. 'They're both very nurturing people and are very, very happy together and to be starting a family,' an insider told PEOPLE last week. "They've been sharing privately with loved ones, and it's a really sweet time after everything Pete has overcome. He's so excited. He's always wanted to be a dad." A second source told PEOPLE that the couple are 'happy and cannot wait to welcome their baby' and that Davidson has 'grown up a lot, and he's so excited about this next chapter as a dad." Davidson's latest movie, The Home, is a horror film directed by James DeMonaco. It hits theaters on Friday, July 25, and also stars John Glover and Bruce Altman. Read the original article on People Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Hailey Bieber reveals what Justin is REALLY like as a father as she admits she 'struggled to accept' surprise pregnancy with son Jack
Hailey Bieber has revealed what her husband Justin is really like as a father and admitted she 'struggled to accept' her surprise pregnancy. The Rhode founder, 28, and the pop star, 31, welcomed their first child together, a baby boy called Jack, in August 2024. But the couple have been plagued by rumours of marriage trouble in recent months, with the Baby hitmaker sparking concerns among fans with his behaviour. While Hailey had been seen in public without her wedding ring last month, the couple appeared to be on affectionate terms when they were seen earlier this month in Switzerland. And speaking to Vogue Italia as their August 2025 cover girl, Hailey appeared to quash the rumours of a rift as she gushed over Justin being an 'extraordinary' father, 'a natural', and 'seeing her as a goddess, a superhero'. However Hailey also opened up about her pregnancy with Jack, revealing it was unexpected. 'The pregnancy was hard for me to accept, it was a surprise and you have to deal with so many emotions,' she told the outlet. 'You realise that your life will never be the same again, yes, it changes in a positive way, but it will never be the same again.' 'It was a huge challenge for me, mentally,' she added. Despite this, Hailey said that everything ends up coming together eventually and it acted as a huge teaching lesson for her as a person - and her marriage. 'Suddenly, your partner sees you as a goddess, a superhero... Or at least, that's how it was for me,' she said. Justin's bad behaviour has manifested in recent months in the form of arguing with Hailey online, acting erratically and clashing with paparazzi, a source told Page Six. The material on the latest album, which Justin released July 11, included a trio of comedy skits with comic Druski. One of the bits dubbed 'Therapy session,' in which Druski portrays a counsellor, Justin touches on the complications of living life in the limelight. 'That's been a tough thing for me recently - feeling like I have had to go through a lot of my struggles as a human, as all of us do, really publicly. 'And so people are always asking if I'm OK - and that starts to really weigh on me.' Justin said that the attention makes him feel like he's 'the one with the issues and everyone else is perfect.' The singer sold rights to his catalogue for $200million in 2023, the Los Angeles Times reported recently. His most recent studio album prior to Swag was Justice in 2021. The album garnered critical acclaim and spawned successful commercial tracks such as Peaches, a Billboard Hot 200 chart-topper; and the top 10 hits Holy, Anyone and Ghost. In February 2023, Justin officially cancelled the remainder of his Justice World Tour after the singer said he was diagnosed with the condition Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which can lead to facial paralysis. Justin had previously had to cancel shows on the tour in the fall of 2022, explaining his absences from the stage in an emotional post on his Instagram Stories. 'Earlier this year, I went public with my battle with Ramsay-Hunt Syndrome, where my face was partially paralyzed,' he said. 'As a result of this illness, I was not able to complete the North American leg of the Justice Tour. He said that he suffered health woes after performing a set at the Rock in Rio festival. 'After getting off stage, the exhaustion overtook me and I realized that I need to make my health the priority right now,' he said. 'So I'm going to take a break from touring for the time being. I'm going to be OK, but I need time to rest and get better. 'I've been so proud to bring this show and our message of Justice to the world. Thank you for your prayers and support throughout all of this! I love you all passionately!'
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
New dad killed in wreck with dump truck while heading to pick up wife and newborn from hospital
A new father was killed in a collision with a dump truck while on his way to pick up his wife and baby from the hospital. Dennis Lewis Jr., 35, died Friday after his motorcycle collided with a dump truck near Libertyville, Illinois, a suburb north of Chicago. His daughter, Harley Rose, was born just three days earlier, according to a GoFundMe launched to support his family. According to witnesses, Lewis was on his motorcycle approaching an intersection with a green light when a dump truck made a left turn in front of his motorcycle, Lake County Sheriff's Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli told The Independent. Lewis collided with the truck and was ejected from his motorcycle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Lewis died from blunt force injuries to his head and neck, Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek told the Lake and McHenry County Scanner. The truck driver is uninjured and cooperating with the investigation, Covelli said. Lewis never got the chance to hold his newborn daughter at home, according to the GoFundMe page. 'His sudden passing has left a tremendous hole in our hearts and a heavy burden on the mother of his newborn, who is now navigating the unimaginable: caring for a brand-new baby while grieving the loss of her partner,' the GoFundMe page reads. The funds will be used to support Harley Rose and her mother, Amberly. The page has a goal of $6,500 and has received more than $4,900 as of Wednesday morning. 'It's important to us that people understand Dennis didn't cause this — his life was taken unfairly, just days after he became a father for the first time,' the GoFundMe page reads. 'He never got the chance to bring Harley home.' The crash is under investigation by the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
