Avsnitt
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That moment when your tween doesn't want you hovering nearby during basketball with friends anymore - it's a parenting milestone that catches many dads off guard. The guys dive deep into how children's growing independence challenges us emotionally even as we recognize its importance to their development.
From potty training adventures (complete with questionable aim) to first-time babysitting gigs, the dads share candid stories about their kids' journeys toward autonomy. Mark celebrates his 12-year-old son successfully completing a babysitting course and taking responsibility for his siblings, while Dave laments his toddler's determination to pee standing up despite his anatomical challenges.
The conversation turns thoughtful as they explore how today's grandparent relationships differ from their childhoods. Where once grandparents were central figures in daily life, today's connections often feel more scheduled and formalized. They wonder how they'll approach grandparenting themselves someday and hope they'll maintain close bonds with their adult children.
One particularly resonant topic emerges around intentional independence-building: how sending a 7-year-old into a restaurant alone with cash or having kids order their own food creates confidence-building opportunities. The dads acknowledge their own anxieties often hold children back from these formative experiences that develop crucial life skills.
As your kids grow, how do you balance protection with freedom? At what age did you start letting them spread their wings? Join the conversation and share your own parenting journey. -
What happens when we stop immediately saying "no" to our kids and instead take a moment to understand the reasoning behind their choices? This episode dives deep into a parenting approach that might revolutionize how your children develop decision-making confidence.
The dads share a revealing story about a snowy day boot selection that sparked an important realization: constantly meeting children with "no" teaches them their decision-making abilities are flawed. This pattern often follows them into adulthood, creating hesitant adults afraid to make wrong choices. By simply asking "Why did you pick those boots?" or "What made you choose that?" we acknowledge our children as thinking beings with legitimate perspectives.
Throughout the conversation, we contrast modern parenting styles with the "blissful ignorance" our parents enjoyed—a time when kids roamed neighborhoods unsupervised and many worries remained unspoken. Today's parents carry information overload and heightened awareness that leads to constant anxiety, something our children sometimes actively resist. One fascinating observation reveals how children intentionally slow down when parents rush, their way of saying "your anxiety isn't my problem."
The episode balances philosophical insights with practical advice on developing patience, repairing communication after heated moments, and understanding the unique parent-child dynamics that develop in every household. We explore how the different strengths between parenting partners can create complementary approaches to childcare routines like bedtime or tooth-brushing.
Whether you're struggling with a defiant toddler or trying to build more respect-based communication with older children, this conversation offers both validation and actionable strategies to shift your approach. Subscribe now and join our growing community of parents navigating the beautiful chaos of raising humans who feel confident in their decisions. -
Saknas det avsnitt?
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The age-old debate of nature versus nurture takes center stage as we explore Dr. Russell Barkley's fascinating perspective that children arrive in this world with over 400 psychological traits waiting to emerge—traits completely independent of parental influence. This revelation challenges the modern parenting culture that places enormous guilt on parents who believe they must engineer perfect outcomes.
"Your child is not a blank slate on which you get to write," Barkley reminds us. "You are a shepherd. You don't design the sheep." This powerful metaphor resonated deeply with all of us, prompting reflection on how we sometimes push our values onto our children rather than recognizing and nurturing their inherent qualities. We share personal stories of discovering our children's unexpected strengths—like Cooper's natural spatial reasoning abilities that surprised his parents who had worried about his academic development.
The conversation takes a lively turn as we dive into the art of wrestling with our kids. From bedtime roughhousing rituals to bathroom door challenges ("You want to go?" my daughter asks while I'm on the toilet), we explore how physical play creates unique bonds between fathers and children. We laugh about the different "powers" our kids imagine during these wrestling matches and how our partners often approach physical play differently than we do.
Perhaps most touching is our discussion about acknowledgment—that moment when a parent walks through the door after work. Some children rush to greet dad with excitement, while others barely look up from their activities. We consider how our own behaviors might influence these reactions and share a touching story about a family where everyone chants the father's name upon his arrival home.
Whether you're wrestling with your toddler, discovering your child's unique talents, or simply hoping for a warmer welcome when you return from work, this episode offers both practical wisdom and emotional reassurance for the parenting journey. Remember—sometimes the most powerful thing we can do as parents is not to shape our children, but to witness, support, and celebrate who they naturally are. -
Parenting doesn’t just change your life—it changes who you are. This week, we break down the biggest ways fatherhood shifts relationships, from communication struggles to learning how to actually support your partner (instead of just thinking you’re helping). We also tackle the challenges of balancing marriage, work, and kids, plus the unexpected ways our wives and children have shaped us. And if you’re planning a wedding while raising kids… good luck, Mark’s got some cautionary tales.
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Very Special Guest Mike Holmes Jr. joins the party via shaky satellite uplink and it's Holmes on the Homies of the Dad Den! Birth Stories! Relationship Advice! Being parented by a famous dad! All right here, right now, on The Real Dad Podcast!
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We're just regular Dads without super powers; four guys who get colds when it's cold out and don't know the exact words for what the surface around a pool is called, so sometimes it drives us a little nuts when the kids JUST WON'T LISTEN!
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The dads wrestle with growing up and growing old: Joey's therapist helps him process grief, Dave's son gets his babysitting certification and Mark struggles with basic vocabulary.
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The Dads check in with some podcast heavy-hitters (via Dave's data plan) to discuss growing out of lay-downs, tracking cellphones, and how our boomer parents (tried to) show their love. But does any of it even matter if your Numerology is wrong and your kid is meant to be your sworn enemy?
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Brolaw Brother-in-law Ian joins the Dads (minus Mark) to talk kids with unique brains, how growing up has changed, and how to run your family like an all star sales team!
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As Winston Churchill once said: "Never give in—never, never, never, never..."
But did he ever have to drag his four year old, kicking and screaming to get a hair cut? -
What are you saving up your fatherly experience points for? Are you going to be a Car Dad and learn how make that HEMI purr? How about a BBQ Dad so you can master the fine art of smoking a sausage? Or perhaps, you just want to be able to do a Rubix Cube real good...
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It's good that our kids aren't scared of the adults anymore, right? Right?... RIGHT!?
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Grief comes in many forms, sometimes in anticipation, and almost always when you're not expecting it... So how do wrestle with humanity of our own old Dads while trying to keep the show going for our kids?
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Cryptocurrency expert Professor X joins the Dads for a beginner's guide to Bitcoin, the Blockchain, and Kung Fu fighting a thousand Agent Smiths in a torrential downpour, all while looking damn fine in your black trench coat and sunglasses.
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How quickly do we want our kids to grow up and what's going to cause it? Booze? Swears? (The fun ones, not the the bad ones)...or maybe even the glittering promise of Youtube stardom? (Don't Forget to Like & Subscribe!)
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A Haiku to describe this week's episode:
Screens instead Sports?
Pwning N00bs for Scholarships?
Brent Walker is back! -
Dave digs deep and shares a harrowing near death experience while competing in a half marathon and the Editors dig deep and admit they posted the last two episodes out of order. Welcome back Mark! (again). Welp!
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Nah....but it'd be fun to try it out, wouldn't it?
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Whether it's following in the family trade, high tension gender reveal parties, or life or death martial arts showdowns, are we expecting too much from our kiddos?
- Visa fler
