How do we stay connected?
“Hold my hand, daddy. I’m scared.” “Watch this, daddy. Watch me jump in the pool. Did you see the splash I made?” “Did you see me hit that ball, Dad? Were you watching when I hit that homerun?” Why is…
Category Fatherhood
The ABC’s of Coaching & Parenting: Advice from a Football Coach and Father of Two
This month on the Growing Good Dads blog, we’re diving into the ways you can be a good dad to preteens. Children at this age are in a period of growth and discovery: they’re learning who they are and figuring…
Parenting Goals: Creating a Value-Based Environment for Your Child
Goal Setting for Parents I strongly believe in the idea of setting goals. If you aim for nothing, you’ll get nothing every time. This concept is typically used to set personal goals, but I’m here to talk about goal setting…
Your Preschooler’s Developmental Independence: How Dads Can Help Children Make Good Decisions
It sneaks up on you: One morning, you're forced to accept the reality that your baby doesn’t need you to get her dressed anymore. When she had the freedom to choose what she would wear, she gained confidence in her ability to make good decisions for herself.
Why You Should Try Gardening with your Children this Spring
Gardening is a great way to get your kids outdoors, having fun while learning invaluable life lessons. It’s educational, promotes physical and mental health, it’s a wonderful bonding opportunity, it connects them with nature, and it teaches them important skills like patience, perseverance and dedication. I’ll dive into more detail about each of these benefits.
This Parenting Class is Not Working
“This parenting class is not working,” exclaimed the frustrated father of three standing in front of me. “What do you mean?” I asked. “Well,” he said, “last week my three-year-old tried to flush a jump rope down the toilet and…
Encourage Your Toddler’s Social and Emotional Development with these Playtime Tips
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…
True Tales from the Terrible Twos
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!
Life’s Challenges Won’t Stop Me from Cherishing Every Moment with My Kids: A Success Story from a Dad in Recovery
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…
4 Ways for Dad to Bond with Baby
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…