My dad is turning into a grumpy old man!

[Anonymous]

So I've always been close to my dad, but lately he pisses me off so bad. Over the past year he has become a self pitying stressed out fool. He has a wonderful house with a doting wife and kids. We live with my grandparents and I feel like he is slowly just becoming like them.

He just comes home from work stressing about a bad look someone gave him or a comment made - not at all grateful for what he has in his life and worst of all any comment made to him he takes in a self pitying or offensive manner. It makes me never want to talk to him again. It's like he has lost all ambition and joy. I have sat down and talked to him about how his behavior upsets others in the home but he just says OK and then continues.

I need help because the state of the relationship between my father and I is becoming so dire, I feel like I am beginning to hate him. I don't know what to do.

Updates

+1 y

Ok I feel bad fr saying I hate him, I just want my old dad back!

[vagabondz]

Parents change as they get older generally. But this seems like a significant change. There has to be some reason for the change. He may not be able to articulate it but I bet there is a reason.

It is always easy to love our family and friends when they are at their best. Much harder when they are $#%holes!

Rather than just point out his poor behavior you may want to see if you can ask him about whether anything has changed. Try to be patient with his answers. He may not understand what has changed at first or be able to articulate it.

But he is your dad and I think you should stick with it.

[rachiee]

Has he had any time off? He may just need a break from the stress of work and everything. Suggest you guys go somewhere just the two of you for a fun day trip together.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like he's going through a hard time where it's hard to see the good things around him. Maybe try to show him more love and that will help take him out of it over time.