When Joel and Beth sent their oldest, Kimmy, away to college at the beginning of the fall semester, they assumed they had overcome the worst of the heartache. Like many parents, the couple was anxious about their child leaving the…
Suddenly the sound of a bell, horn or whistle breaks the silence. Almost immediately another set of sounds can be heard. Those whoops, sighs and moans are voices of school children, teachers and parents heralding the end of the school…
When we think of toddlers, a few “T” words come to mind: Tantrums, Terrible Twos and Time-Outs. It’s no secret that these developmental years can come with challenging changes that tend to bring about the blues in parents and children…
According to Dr. Barry McCarthy, author of numerous books and articles on sexuality and marriage, when a couple’s sexual relationship is going well, it’s about 15% of the marriage. They have fun together; they solve problems effectively; and they talk…
Do you already know your kid will refuse anything other than dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets for dinner tonight? Is your kid convinced he hates food that he has never tried before? Does he no longer like the food he liked…
The "terrible twos" is marked marked by increased tantrums, crankiness, assertiveness and defiance. This week we curated real stories from dads who have gone through the Terrible Twos. These dads can look back on these tales and laugh now, even if it was far from funny at the time!
Michael Gray, an Ozarks native and Good Dad, missed out on a big chunk of his kids’ childhoods. The father of three (plus one stepson) was incarcerated for most of his 20s and wasn’t around for crucial childhood years for…
The importance of a father figure in a child’s life simply cannot be overstated. According to the National Fatherhood Initiative (another great place to visit about the importance of fatherhood), homes with a father’s presence are at lower risk for…
Babies change and develop at a rapid rate during their first year of life. From blank stares to feeble steps, the first year is packed with experiences to be cherished and opportunities for positive attachment. Many employers are getting on…
Learning how to get along with your partner is so important—not just for each of you, but also for your children. This week on the Growing Good Dads blog, we’ll detail some strategies for getting along with your partner, specifically…
Recently on the Good Dads podcast, we welcomed Tim Lewis to the studio. Tim is a new dad to four-month-old Ophelia, a happy baby who gave Tim and his wife, Chelsea, a big scare late last year when she contracted…
Congratulations, Dad! You and your partner have made it past pregnancy and now have a new bundle of joy in the family. But the parenting journey has just begun. In the first days of life, some dads find it challenging…
Among the many things expecting fathers need to consider before the arrival of their new baby, the cost of having a baby should certainly be among them. There are several new expenses to consider when it comes to having a…
Just because you give birth to a baby doesn’t mean that you automatically know what to do for a baby. There are many new skills parents of an infant and baby need to learn that don’t come naturally. You may…
The Growing Good Dads Blog features some curated content from online resources. This post originally appeared on the Happy Families website and was not written by Good Dads staff. I was a mistake. Unplanned… unintended… not actually supposed to…
Pickles and ice cream? Potato chips and peanut butter? No, a chocolate milkshake! Wait. How about a pepperoni and olive pizza? Have you ever tried to keep up with your pregnant partner’s cravings? Some days it can seem like those…
For 10 years, it was just Brian and Jessica. The husband and wife had already experienced the “young couple freedom” and knew they were ready to start something new. The duo had discussed it early in the relationship, and they…
When Benjy Lampert and his wife, Lori, discovered they were going to have a baby, the couple was elated … and more than a little surprised. They’d been trying to get pregnant for less than a month. “We thought, ‘that…
When it comes to physical strength, men have a natural advantage. Their body chemistry, e.g., higher levels of testosterone, contributes to greater muscle mass and overall strength. It also influences bone growth and strength. In short, in some ways dads…
Good Dads turned to two of its most skilled facilitators of the New Pathways program for our month-long coverage on the topic of managing challenging relationships. They gave advice for succeeding in one’s relationships in spite of the challenges that…
Good Dads turned to two of its most skilled facilitators of the New Pathways program for our month-long coverage on the topic of managing challenging relationships. They gave advice for succeeding in one’s relationships in spite of the challenges that…
This week we bring you an updated blogpost from the Good Dads archives. This article was originally published in 2021, but we think you’ll find that the topics we cover here are relevant every holiday season! Let’s face it.…
The Men and Mental Health Blog features some curated content from online resources. This post originally appeared on the Tim Elmore website and was not written by Good Dads staff. Entering a new year is a natural time to…
Marcus hopes he would get a deer this hunting season. Travis hopes he would get the promotion he’s been working to get. Damien hopes the holidays would go better this year than they have in the past. All three…
The Men and Mental Health Blog features some curated content from online resources. This post originally appeared on the Days of a Domestic Dad website and was not written by Good Dads staff. Mental health problems are incredibly common,…
The Men and Mental Health Blog features some curated content from online resources. This post originally appeared on the Institute for Family Studies website and was not written by Good Dads staff. The Nobel-prize winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman has…
Habits give us a sense of control in our lives. They may give us confidence and help us feel normal. In many cases, we don’t even realize how ingrained our habits have become. Take, for example, the stories of three…
This blogpost contains descriptions of drug and alcohol addiction and may not be suitable for everyone. Please use discretion. “Many of us who suffer from addictive behaviors start out curious,” Peter Gilbreth told Good Dads in a recent phone…
Which substance is the biggest threat to people in the Ozarks? This used to be a pretty straight forward answer: methamphetamines. Meth is a powerful psychostimulant that impacts the central nervous system. It causes an intense sense of euphoria by…
Addiction is all around us, and the data is distressing. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA, 2023) estimates more than 60 million people age 12 and up used illicit drugs in the US in the last year.…
This week we bring you a blogpost from the Good Dads archives. This article is adapted from content published originally in February 2022 and has been adapted and updated for relevancy. Because alcohol use disorder is the most common form…
This blogpost contains discussions of suicide. Please use discretion. You get up in the morning. You shower, shave, brush your teeth and comb your hair. You look in the mirror and you see—Superman. At least, that is who you…
I was recently made aware of The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory titled “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation” published earlier this year. Reading this report and looking at many of the statistics throughout made me increasingly concerned about the sociological…
The Men and Mental Health Blog features some curated content from online resources. This post originally appeared on the Fatherhood: Reloaded website and was not written by Good Dads staff. Being a dad to a child who has special needs…
This blogpost contains discussions of suicide. Please use discretion. When Calvin learned that Josh, his best friend in high school, had taken his own life, he was shocked. Calvin remembered Josh as a party waiting to happen, full of life,…
Work-related stress is difficult to manage, especially if you’re feeling burnt out. Researching the problem yourself is an added challenge, and you may find yourself running into dead ends or encountering useless advice from irrelevant sources. We know you have…
The Men and Mental Health Blog features some curated content from online resources. This post originally appeared on the Art of Manliness website and was not written by Good Dads staff. Before you have kids, taking business trips is no…
When I left the Navy, I knew I wanted to go back to school, but that was all I knew. I had a vague idea that I wanted to help people, and that I wanted a job that would provide…
High-stress jobs in education? Been there. Managing and leading others? Done that. Juggling a career while being a dad? Welcome to Jim Millsap’s life. Good Dads’ new Strong Schools Coordinator has seen it all. A Springfield native, Jim attended Missouri…
Most of my first six years of life were spent on my grandparents’ dairy farm. Thereafter, the remainder of my childhood revolved around the rhythms of my parents’ farm where we had 2,000 chickens (the egg business), 75–150 head of…
The Men and Mental Health Blog features some curated content from online resources. This post originally appeared on the Operation Red Wings Foundation website and was not written by Good Dads staff. Did you know that the most common symptoms…
Mike is happy his friend Daniel made it safely back to the States after spending years on the battlefield. Daniel was involved in many dangerous military missions, and Mike and his friends were never sure if he would make it…
On a chilly day in January 2017, I nervously started my seven-month counseling internship, where half of my time was spent at Victory Mission Men’s Shelter in North Springfield. Victory Mission began in 1976 when Rev. and Mrs. Everett Cook…
The Impact of Trauma “He used to love fireworks,” said a friend as she reflected on the impact a tour of duty in Iraq had on her loved one. “Now, the 4th of July is one of his least favorite…
This week we bring you a blogpost from the Good Dads archives. This article was originally published in 2018, but we think you’ll find that the topics we cover here are just as relevant today! There’s so much good information…
Last week, we announced the four Outstanding Father of the Year finalists: Congratulations, Dads! Finalists are invited to be Good Dads’ distinguished guests at our annual dinner and banquet this September. They will also receive certificates honoring their new titles.…
If you submitted a nomination to the 2023 Outstanding Fathers of the Year contest this spring, thank you! We received submissions from across the Ozarks from people who recognize the important roles that dads play in the lives of kids.…
If you submitted a nomination to the 2023 Outstanding Fathers of the Year contest this spring, thank you! We received submissions from across the Ozarks from people who recognize the important roles that dads play in the lives of kids.…
I get it – you want friends. But as a grown man and a father, that can be a weird thing to admit out loud. But the truth is, you don’t just want friends, you need friends. And you can’t…
I tend to be a curious person. I like to ask questions. Often at home when I do not understand something, I will wonder out loud, “Why?” or “How come?” For years this habit frustrated my wife. If you have…
This week we bring you a blogpost from the Good Dads archives. This article was originally published in 2020, but we think you’ll find that the topics we cover here are just as relevant today! “My wife suggested we…
Romance looks different after having children. Marriage and romance look different in your thirties and forties than it did when you were 22. I remember talking to a friend, let’s call him Ray, about how things were different with his…
We’ve been thinking about anger all wrong. Anger is not something to suppress, ignore or be ashamed of. In fact, expressing your anger in a safe and healthy way is one of the best things you can do for yourself.…
My name is Dr. Chris Ward. I would like to start out by acknowledging a very important aspect related to my post today. I am an addict in recovery. I do not have a history of addiction to alcohol, nicotine,…
Riley was livid. His heart was pumping out of his chest. His hands were shaking, and all he could think about was, “This is it. It’s go time.” Riley is not an MMA fighter or a warrior about to enter…
Twice a year, Good Dads brings together community leaders, counselors and therapists, business professionals, faith leaders and lots of others who want to make a difference in the lives of dads and kids. We do this in the form of…
“I’m not angry. You’re the one yelling. Nothing I ever do is good enough for you. I can never do enough.” The conversation began with talk about some badly needed home repairs, but—as Josh and Annie so often did—the conversation…
The Men and Mental Health Blog features some curated content from online resources. This post originally appeared on the Operation Red Wings Foundation website and was not written by Good Dads staff. If there’s one thing we all need to…
The police academy, fire academy and military boot camps are filled with 18 to 20-somethings pushing harder mentally and physically than they have ever pushed themselves before. These platforms are mostly for young adults and are even more highlighted than…
This blogpost is a continuation of last week’s story. If you haven’t read part one yet, we encourage you to catch up first before you read this week’s article. Find part one here. When Alex and Allie showed up at…
Alex stared out the window and wondered what the problem might be. He liked to golf and was always ready to get together with the guys and go out for 18 holes. Sometimes he went to the golf course and…
My baseball career ended at the age of 16, as a junior varsity benchwarmer. I couldn’t throw as hard or run as fast as my teammates. But, that is still longer than most kids play these days. Now, by age…
The Men and Mental Health Blog features some curated content from online resources. This post originally appeared on the Operation Red Wings Foundation website and was not written by Good Dads staff. More than 50% of Americans will be diagnosed…
Let me tell you about my brain. Imagine thinking about all the things you have to do one day at work. While you are thinking about those things, a constant song plays in your head. While this song is only…
You forget to set your alarm, wake up late, spill coffee on yourself, and trip over your kid’s toys on the way out the door. Your wife texts you on the way to work, unhappy about the mess you left…
When Dr. Brent Anderson, a psychologist at West Point refers to “FML,” it’s not what you think. Even though FML generally represents a phrase not often used in polite company, Dr. Anderson, who spends a lot of time working with…
The Men and Mental Health Blog features some curated content from online resources. This post originally appeared on the Parent-child-Connect website and was not written by Good Dads staff. Mental health is a tough topic of discussion in most…
There’s a pain in Dave’s chest that he can’t get rid of. He massages it constantly and has no clue as to why it hurts. He can’t sleep at night, and he feels tired all during the day, even when…
The Men and Mental Health Blog features some curated content from online resources. This post originally appeared on the Operation Red Wings Foundation website and was not written by Good Dads staff. Did you know that men are far more likely to…
“So what do you want me to do, Doc? I’ve never done this. Where do I sit? Did you want me to lie down on the couch?” I’ve grown accustomed to this kind of question—especially with men. Especially on their…
Let’s face it. Celebrating the holidays can be very stressful and depending on your family’s background and traditions, the tension can last for weeks. Even if you are able to keep plans for your festivities reasonable, you still have to…
“No thank you. I’ve had an excellent sufficiency. Anymore would be a superfluous animosity. However, your cuisine would please the most fastidious gourmet.” These are the words my father taught us to say when we had had enough to eat.…
In 2014, physicist Michio Kaku wrote, “We are now entering the golden age of neuroscience. We have learned more about the thinking brain in the last 10–15 years than in all of previous human history.” One particularly fruitful area of…
Barry Kolb of Branson, Missouri, attended the Good Dads Summer Training Camp this June because he knew his church would benefit from a curriculum designed for men. Kolb is the leader and pastor at resTore in Hollister, Missouri. He and…
Mark Boyd is the pastor at The Life Church in Mountain Grove, Missouri. The church serves disadvantaged populations, especially those with a history of addiction, with his mission in reconciliation. Boyd and his church host several groups a week, including…
How do you build a safe home for you and your family when you didn’t have a stable upbringing yourself? How can you be a good dad when you didn’t have positive role models growing up? How can dads use…
As a lifelong educator with 25+ years serving within public schools, I’ve seen teaching trends change from whole-group learning to targeted skill groups, from flashcards to computer programs, and from seated instruction to virtual learning. Each trend is always striving…
It’s one of the most controversial words in education and can send fear down the spines of parents and students alike: HOMEWORK. Educators frequently debate the merits of homework. Research shows that homework only has a minimal educational impact on…
The Good Dads staff hosted its second-annual fundraising dinner Thursday, Oct. 6, with music and entertainment to celebrate the last year of growth at the nonprofit. By the end of the fundraiser, Good Dads collected just over $100,000! The entire…
I read all the books. I practiced swaddling on plastic dolls. I learned how to properly burp a newborn and I even watched all the videos on how to get your baby to sleep. I had no idea what I…
Summer time: school’s out, the kids are home. It’s time to travel, take vacation, hit the beach or swimming pool, and see a few ball games. Iced tea and lemonade tastes better when served 1 degree above frozen. The air-conditioned…
At the History Museum on the Square, one of the best things to hear from young visitors are sentences beginning with I. Sentences, declared with confidence and enthusiasm, like: “I go to Phelps Grove Park with my family all the…
History: Who Needs it Anyway? Have you ever thought to yourself, “Why am I learning about this? I’m never going to use this again!”? Me too! I thought that many times when I was younger – whether it was history…
This blogpost marks the second week showcasing snapshots from the Good Dads Summer Training Camp, a five-day workshop hosted earlier this month. Social workers, Good Dads facilitators, faith leaders, counselors, and many others from around the region who want to…
The Good Dads team hosted its summer training camp last week, a five-day workshop for mental health professionals, Good Dads facilitators, and anyone else who wanted to improve their working relationships with men. Attendees were trained in three brand-new Good…
Father’s Day is on Sunday. Today we are taking a look back at a heart-felt blog written in honor of a much-loved father. As Father’s Day approaches, I’m taking time to reflect on what my Dad taught me. My…
It’s June. School is out. Father’s Day is approaching. Ballgames are being played. Vacations are happening. Join us as we reach into our archives and journey back in time with Kevin Weaver and his memories of summertime. Ah, summertime. It…
James Mincks graduated from the New Pathways for Good Dads program in 2019. Since then he has continued to make great strides with his parenting skills as well as in his personal life. He sees his sons on a regular…
“Things happen for a reason.” Danny Watkins may not always have felt that statement was true, but if you asked him today, he would tell you that there is a reason for everything. Danny had been a drug addict most…
After Noah’s final stay in prison, he made Victory Mission his home plan. Positive changes began taking place. At Victory Mission, Noah was enrolled in the Restoration Program, a program that would cause him to change from who he wanted…
Ask James Mincks, Doug Saunders, and Charlie Romine and they’ll tell you, Jobs for Life made a big difference in their life. As persons with a history of incarceration, they never really thought they would have what many of us…
Real Men, Real Stories I met Chad as a new participant in the New Pathways program in a Fatherhood Development class. He was discouraged, felt alone, and was mad at the world. He did not have contact with his children,…
Let me explain. I was a network administrator. Sounds much more glamorous than it was. I basically worked for 10 hours straight through the night printing reports, changing out tapes and monitoring multiple screens to make sure nothing went down.…
Taking a kid fishing can be a fun and rewarding experience. However, there are a few guidelines that will make the outing a success. First, when you fish with kids, you don’t fish. All your attention should be directed…
I believe in the power of a glove. This is not a religious conviction, though Annie Savoy and Joh Kinsella would probably disagree. I hold a simple belief that a glove can make a significant difference in someone’s life. …
“The Power of Play” – that’s the theme for the Downtown Dads Spring Lunch Series. I’m very excited about this series for a number of reasons. Here a just a few: Dads tend to play with their children…
School. Soccer practice. Homework. Dinner. Piano Recital. Bed. Repeat. Does some variation of this sound all too familiar? Intentionally or unintentionally, our Generation Z kids are enduring heavy schedules filled with highly scripted activities. This leaves little (if any) downtime…
Whether it’s pressure from players on a team or members of one’s family, the ways in which one copes with stress matters. Just as coaches rely on their coaching staff to manage stressful situations, good dads learn to manage stress well by relying on their partner and/or on their support network.
What Makes an MVP? An MVP is a Leader On and Off the Court In the 2013-2014 NBA regular season, Kevin Durant averaged 36 points a game while also scoring 30 or more points twelve games in a row. He…
For most of his life, it seems, Josh has been responsible for keeping the peace. It started when he was a child, negotiating conflict between his parents, especially after his dad had too much to drink. It’s not like he…
