The Divorced Dad Blog - Diary of a Divorced Dad

Divorced dad syndrome: what it really means. A father helping his son and daughter with homework at the kitchen table, with icons for guilt parenting, Disneyland dad and pulling away.

Divorced Dad Syndrome: What It Really Means (and How to Avoid It)

by Diary of a Divorced Dad
September 15, 2026

What divorced dad syndrome really means: guilt parenting, the Disneyland dad, and pulling away. Why it happens after divorce, and how to be the steady dad your kids need.

1980s-style illustration of a divorced dad organizing a school calendar beside a backpack, with two homes in the background.

Back-to-School Co-Parenting: A Practical Checklist for Divorced Dads

by Diary of a Divorced Dad
August 28, 2026

Key takeaways Get on the school lists yourself. In most states both legal parents are entitled to records and communication. Build one calendar both homes can see, with term dates, events and who is doing which pickup. Agree who pays for what before anyone goes shopping, and put it in writing. Duplicate the basics so […]

Staying a present dad when work keeps you away: a father on a video call with his son from a truck cab at night, with a suitcase and work boots nearby.

How to Stay a Present Dad When Work Keeps You Away

by Diary of a Divorced Dad
August 3, 2026

How to stay close to your kids after divorce when your job takes you away: consistency over hours, staying in the logistics, custody schedules that fit a rotation, and handling the guilt.

The 3 C’s of divorce for children: Cause, Control and Cure, with a father and son walking together at sunset.

What Are the 3 C’s of Divorce? Both Versions Explained

by Diary of a Divorced Dad
August 3, 2026

The 3 C’s of divorce mean two different things. The 3 C’s for kids (Cause, Control, Cure) and the 3 C’s of co-parenting (Communication, Cooperation, Compromise), explained.

Depleted dad syndrome: an exhausted father sitting on the edge of his bed at night holding a coffee mug, with signs listed as always exhausted, short fuse and running on empty.

Depleted Dad Syndrome: Signs You Are Running on Empty

by Diary of a Divorced Dad
August 3, 2026

What depleted dad syndrome is, the signs of dad burnout, why divorced dads are especially at risk, and how to refill the tank before you hit bottom.

What age is divorce hardest on kids: a father sitting on a couch with his young daughter and son, with age brackets 0-5, 6-12 and teens.

What Age Is Divorce Most Damaging to a Child?

by Diary of a Divorced Dad
August 3, 2026

Is there a worst age for divorce? How divorce affects children at every stage, and the two things that matter far more than your child’s age.

Best co-parenting apps for divorced dads: a phone showing OurFamilyWizard, TalkingParents, Cozi, 2Houses and AppClose next to a daily plan for the kids.

Best Apps for Divorced Parents: Co-Parenting Picks

by Diary of a Divorced Dad
July 26, 2026

Co-parenting apps compared on price and fit: OurFamilyWizard, TalkingParents, AppClose, 2houses and free options. Pricing checked October 2026.

How to Prepare for a Custody Battle as a Dad

by Diary of a Divorced Dad
July 23, 2026

How to prepare for a custody battle as a dad: be present and document it, keep communication civil, hire a good attorney, and what family courts really look at.

The Stages of Divorce for Men (and the Hardest One)

by Diary of a Divorced Dad
July 23, 2026

The stages of divorce for men, from shock and anger to the depressive middle and acceptance, which stage is hardest, and how long recovery really takes.

50/50 custody schedule options for divorced dads

50/50 Custody Schedules That Actually Work for Dads

by Diary of a Divorced Dad
July 23, 2026

The 50/50 custody schedules that actually work for dads: week-on/week-off, 2-2-3, 2-2-5-5, and 3-4-4-3, which suits your kids' age, and how to make it work.