My brother, Dean, fathered six kids with six women and is expecting another, constantly asking me for money. I told him to get a vasectomy, frustrated by his inability to support his children. He revealed he’s chasing our late dad’s dream of a big family, hoping it’d fill a void. I argued that scattering kids isn’t family—it’s chaos. Dean admitted he feels insignificant, unlike my stable life. I refused to keep bailing him out, urging him to be present for his kids. He countered that some mothers block him due to broken promises. We didn’t speak for weeks.
Then, a woman called: Dean was hospitalized after being jumped. At the hospital, he looked broken but reflective, admitting his mistakes. He booked a vasectomy and began apologizing to the mothers. Some rejected him, but he persisted, working at a diner for stability. One day, he brought three kids to my house for a pancake and movie day, showing a new side. Over time, he paid child support, read parenting books, and wrote letters to his kids. One mom noticed his change, crediting me for not giving up. Dean’s still imperfect but hosted all six kids for Christmas—a messy, real family. Tough love and rock bottom sparked his change.
