Mending Fences: The Three R’s of a Good Apology
Jude asks his son Kyle (15) to take out the trash by the time he gets back from the store. When Jude gets home, he finds the trash can is still overflowing. In a fit of anger, he yells at…
Tag communication
Mom and Dad Live in Different Houses
Five years ago, I was faced with what I felt to be an insurmountable task: explain to my two kids that their Mom and I would be splitting up and moving into different houses. I immediately went to the library…
Communicating with Clarity
“We have trust issues.” “We fight all the time.” “We have trouble communicating.” I’ve heard these phrases countless times over the past three decades of working with couples in therapy. They hint at what’s wrong—but they rarely tell the whole…
A Peek Inside Our Newest Curriculum, Fundamentals for Good Dads
Perhaps you’ve heard the buzz about Fundamentals for Good Dads, the newest curriculum from Good Dads. This eight-part course is an improved and updated version of what was previously called Fundamentals of Fatherhood. Using what we’ve learned as leaders in…
Feeling Understood: The Role of Identity in Communication
Have you ever heard the phrase “men are from Mars, women are from Venus”? Popularized by the 1992 bestselling novel by the same name, it asserts that there is a stark difference, particularly in communication styles, between sexes that it’s…
Communicating Well with Baby on the Way
Becoming a parent changes everything. Your routines, your priorities, even how you communicate and collaborate with your partner. For expectant parents, this life transition is a whirlwind of emotions: excitement, anxiety, pressure, impatience, stress, glee. How do you communicate well…
Valentine’s Day Conversations: What Really Makes Us Feel Loved?
Valentine’s Day can be one of the most romantic days of the year — or one of the most disappointing. Often, the difference has less to do with flowers, candy or dinner reservations and more to do with whether we…
Money Matters: Currency Communication in Healthy Relationships
The world certainly seems to revolve around the almighty dollar. Money can be the make or break of relationships. Money talks—and it’s important that couples do, too! But how do you communicate money matters with each other? Earlier this month,…
Being a Good Dad and a Great Communicator in 2026
This year on the Good Dads blog, we’re thrilled to be your guide through the 2026 theme: Good Dads Communicators. Between now and the end of the year, we’ll explore a variety of perspectives on how people communicate and how…
12 Stats That Will Change the Way You Think About Responsible Fatherhood
Somehow, we blinked and the holidays are already here. While we hurdle toward the end of the year, nonprofits everywhere are neck-deep in their spreadsheets: crunching their numbers, gathering statistics and packaging everything together in appeal letters, annual reports, PowerPoints,…
Good Dads Strong Schools encourages fathers and students to talk about respect and gratitude
With Thanksgiving season upon us, dads and their young learners across the state are learning about gratitude and respect with the Good Dads Strong Schools program. The message in these lessons is clear: Showing gratitude shouldn’t just happen once a…
What Are You Doing This Summer? A Word of Caution in our Screen-Reliant World
School’s out and the kids are in—in your homes, in your refrigerators and in your hair. The newness of the experience has passed, so you have started looking for someone or something to babysit them. You could maybe get the…
The Curse Word Confession
When my son whispered that he had said “the s-word” at school, I braced myself. But what came out of his mouth wasn’t what I expected. That moment might seem small, but it launched one of the best parenting tools…
April Conversations: Insights from Four Good Dads Podcast Episodes
Did you catch our four engaging podcast episodes in April? We explored fatherhood in various ways, from handling screen time to fostering workplace culture. Each discussion offered insightful views on being a purposeful and involved dad in the twenty-first century.…
How Low Can You Go to Be a Good Dad?
The boys are all grown and have their own lives now, but when I look back at some of the best times I had with my children, one simple activity stands out. How low could I go. When you are…
Learning Through Failure: Exploring “Letting Your Children Fail – Using Setbacks to Foster Growth & Resilience”
In Episode 3 of Hot Topics, Good Dads hosts Will Cox and Dr. Jennifer L. Baker tackle a powerful and relatable subject for every parent: the value of letting children fail. The latest episode, “Letting Your Children Fail – Using…
How Fathers Can Be a Role Model Even If They Did Not Have One Themselves
The Good Dads Blog features some curated content from online resources. This post originally appeared on the Northern Life Magazine website and was not written by Good Dads staff. Reposted with permission. Being a father is one of life’s most…
Sparking Curiosity: How Dads Inspire a Love for Learning
Curiosity is the foundation of lifelong learning, and in Good Dads’ most recent podcast episode on “The Difference a Dad Makes,” hosts Brian and J. Fotsch welcome Rudy Martinez, Director of the Springfield Conservation Nature Center, to explore how dads…
How to Keep the Romance Alive All Year Long
We’ve been covering healthy relationships (romantic and otherwise) here on the Good Dads blog for years, and this week we’ve collected some of our favorite tips and advice. This Valentine’s Day, remember that healthy relationships is a commitment for 365…
Helping Your Student Achieve Success
The oft-heard adage, “Fake it ’till you make it” isn’t perfectly true, but it does contain an important nugget of truth. You see, no one is born with the built-in ability to do things successfully. A newborn infant knows how…
The Transformative Power of Fatherhood: Exploring “The Difference a Dad Makes”
The debut episode of The Difference a Dad Makes podcast brings together co-hosts Dr. Jennifer L. Baker and J. Fotsch as they introduce Brian Mattson, the lead pastor at the Downtown Church in Springfield, MO. Brian is also a musician…
Dads Can Raise Kind, Generous Children When They Lead by Example
Most dads hope to raise kind, generous children who care for others. Most parents want to see their children playing well with others, practicing kindness and developing meaningful relationships. But when your toddler just yanked a toy out of her…
Parenting Grown Children: Navigating the Challenges
Craig Groeschel, founder and senior pastor of Life.Church, said, “Raising adult children is harder than raising younger children.” I wholeheartedly agree. Parenting kids aged 17-25 can be particularly challenging for two main reasons: We must shift our roles as parents,…
Confessional (Part 2): What Do Parents Need from their Twentysomethings?
This is the second of a two-part series of anonymous musings on the topic of raising adult children. Last week, we collected confessions from twentysomethings who shared what they crave from their relationships with their fathers. This week, we’re exploring…
Confessional: What do Twentysomethings Need from their Fathers?
As twentysomethings and as daughters of good dads, we are forever interested in our peers’ relationships with their dads. And as the communications team at a father-focused nonprofit, we’re uniquely positioned to gain some valuable insights! This month we asked…
Recognizing and Respecting Your Sons and Daughters as Adults
It feels like just yesterday they were tying their shoelaces for the first time or asking you endless questions about how the world works. Now, they’re navigating the world on their own — driving, paying bills, making big career choices…
Home for the Holidays: 3 Potential Conflicts Between Parents/Guardians and Young Adults and How to Avoid Them
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…
How to Tell if Your Children Are Ready to Stand on Their Own
Remember the first time you saw your little one take their first wobbly steps? You felt a mix of pride and terror. As your child transitions from teenagehood to young adulthood, you’re about to experience a similar emotional roller coaster…
What I Wish Dads Would Say to Their Teens About Love
Many dads fear “the talk” relative to conversations with their kids about love and sex. I can understand this discomfort, but I wish dads would focus more on the characteristics of a healthy relationship than the biology of sex. Even…
Careers and College and Responsibilities—Oh My! How Dads can Help their 18-year-olds Succeed After High School
Did you play “Hide and Seek” with your neighborhood friends growing up? The version I played involved the “Seeker” standing by a Home Base, usually a tree or street sign, and counting to a designated number (usually 100) while all…
The Power of Dad Jokes: More than Just Groans
This month on the Growing Good Dads blog, we’re turning to some of the most important sources of wisdom and experience on teenagers: Educators! We’ve reached out to high schools in the Springfield area and are excited to bring you…
Letting Good Dads Shine at Watson Metal Masters
It was lunchtime, and the dads came hungry. As break began on a Friday in late September, welders and grinders at Watson Metal Masters filed into the conference room, guided by their noses by the mouthwatering scent of Missouri favorites:…
Four Rules That Could Reverse the Anxiety Epidemic in Teens
The Growing Good Dads Blog features some curated content from online resources. This post originally appeared on the Growing Leaders website and was not written by Good Dads staff. Most teenagers today are aware of the negative impact of smartphones. By this…
Breaking the Stigma: Supporting Youth Mental Health in Our Community
Mental health is as vital as physical health, yet there remains a significant barrier preventing many from seeking help: stigma. For youth, this stigma can lead to untreated mental health conditions hindering their growth, education and overall well-being. The Local…
Steer ‘em right: How dads can help their teens be safe and confident drivers
Good Dads sat down with two teens who shared their experiences on what it's like being behind the wheel with their dad as the instructor.
“I Hear You”: How to Listen Well to Your Child
This week we’re reaching back into the Good Dads archives to bring you a blogpost from Deron Smith, a professor, pastor and father. While Deron originally wrote this back in 2015, we think the topics he covers are just as…
Your Daughter’s First Period
Arm yourself with knowledge and empathy to be better prepared to support your daughter during her first period
Encouraging School Success for Tweenagers: Advice from a Retired Principal
The time of the year that every parent loves has arrived! It’s back to school time! Dads (and moms) are happy to get the kiddos out of the house (and their hair) for the day. Clothes, school supplies, and other…
Guilty by Association: Helping your Preteen Forge Quality Friendships
One of my favorite quotes is: “Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.” What a true statement! Being in education for 20+ years, I’ve certainly seen this phrase played out. For years I’ve watched in amazement when…
The Power of Play: How Sports Benefit Growing Bodies & Minds
Logan, now a high school athlete, first experienced the transformative power of sports at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield. He vividly recalls stepping onto the basketball court at six or seven years old. What began as a simple…
Raising Resilient Children
The Growing Good Dads 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 following essay is adapted from the author’s speech…
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…
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…
Raising Respectful, Un-Selfish Children
Tonight with JD, I had a realization that children become truly mature and compassionate when they realize that, if they CAN do something, they NEED to do it for themselves. I believe we, as parents, need to encourage our kids…
Discover the Benefits of your Public Library System | With the Springfield-Greene County Library
This month on the Growing Good Dads blog, we’re focusing on being a good dad to kids between 6–9 years old. If you have a child this age, they’re most likely in the middle of their summer break. Because summer…
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…
Manage Conflict with Your Partner Using the Speaker-Listener Technique: Lessons Learned from “Becoming Parents”
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…
Managing Challenging Relationships: Advice from Good Dads Facilitators
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…
3 Hopeful Habits in the Season of Gratitude
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…
6 Proven Ways Dads Can Help Family Members Fight Mental Health Problems
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,…
How the Golden Rule could help reduce meth and opioid addiction in the Ozarks
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…
What I Hear from my Clients About Addiction, and What I Tell them About Recovery
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.…
I’m No Superman: Disrupting the Myth of Male Invincibility
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…
Kindness Can Make All the Difference in Combatting Loneliness
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…
Male Loneliness and ‘Our Biological Need to Connect’
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,…
How to Be a Better Dad When You Travel for Business
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…
Sadly, It’s Time to Go: How to Have a Stress-Free Career Transition
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…
Stress on the job, professional passion and thinking deeply: A Q&A with Good Dads’ Jim Millsap
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…
Work-Related Stress and the Family Farmer
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…
When Listening Becomes Too Much
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…
How to Make Friends as a Busy Dad
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 wanted to go for counseling, but (s)he wouldn’t agree
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…
The Secret Ingredient for Better Anger Expression
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.…
Self-Care, Visualization & Boundaries: How Men Can Engage with Angry Emotions
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,…
3 Healthy ways to Deal with Anger
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…
The Two Faces of Anger
“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…
This is How to Support Someone Who Doesn’t Want Help
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…
Reinventing Manhood: A Need for Connection and Purpose
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…
6 Ways to Raise Awareness About Mental Health Stigma
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…
That one time I had a nervous breakdown
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…
A Leader’s Journey to Building Mentally Strong Children (Day 1: A Tough Topic)
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…
Hiding in Plain Sight: Men and Mental Health
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…
Removing the Mental Health Stigma for Men
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…
Men and Mental Health: The good, the bad and the difficult
“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…
The Men and Mental Health Blog has the tools you’ve been looking for
It’s always been Good Dads’ mission to provide dads with the best resources to assist them in making a positive impact on their children. In addition to all the huge steps we’ve taken in the last year to equip fathers…
THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CRISIS: PART 1
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…
‘Things can change,’ Barry Kolb of Branson, MO, builds community with Good Dads 2.0
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…
Spark hope with Good Dads 2.0 at the fall training camp
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…
Homework without Tears
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…
Building Your Team: Build Your Coaching Network
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.
Building Your Team: What Makes an MVP?
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…
Could someone I love have a problem?
Do you tell yourself the truth? Are you truly honest with yourself? Most of us have some difficulty telling ourselves the truth – or knowing the truth about ourselves – at least some of the time. Most of us have some…
New and Improved ‘You’ in 2022: More Than Two for a New You
What Counselors / Therapists Hear “How could you possibly know what I have been through?” “I want to stop. I swear it, but I just can’t. Never mind, you wouldn’t understand.” “I just do not know what to do. She…
New and Improved ‘You’ in 2022: Two Days to a Happier You
Feeling a little grumpy lately? Out of sorts? Irritated with others whose behavior makes your life more difficult? You might want to consider taking the “Two Day Challenge.” I read about it recently in Soul Keeping, a book by…
The Annual Holiday Argument
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 family festivities reasonable, you still have…
The Annual Holiday Argument for Single Parents and Stepfamilies
This blogpost is part 2 of our holiday series. You can read part one here. “My father expects that we’ll bring the kids and spend Christmas Eve with him and his new wife.” “My mother will feel hurt if we…
Fatherhood Through Divorce: Mediation
What is Mediation? Mediation is a practice that allows divorcing couples to meet with a neutral third-party mediator to resolve divorce conflicts. Mediators are specially trained to guide couples through the divorce process while staying respectful of both party’s opinions. …
Fatherhood through Divorce: What’s It Like for Dads Over the Road
Dan sat on the couch visibly upset. His body was tense, and it looked like he was ready to start yelling or crying. “My son and I used to be attached at the hip. Anywhere I went he went. Now,…
Fatherhood Through Divorce: Good Dad Perspectives
Dan sat on the couch visibly upset. His body was tense, and it looked like he was ready to start yelling or crying. “My son and I used to be attached at the hip. Anywhere I went he went. Now,…
Conflict and Communication: Ending a Fight on the Phone Without Hanging Up
Avoiding the Big Hang-Up “We were talking on the phone and she just kept yelling at me, so I hung up on her.” “I was so mad. I couldn’t believe what he said, so I said, ‘Are you done—because I…
Handling Sibling Conflict
My younger son walked in from the shed and plopped on the couch exasperated. I recognized the familiar pouty look right away. Something had happened and he was not happy with his older brother. A flash of frustration washed over…
When a Child is Defiant
“Ok, time to get in your car seat.” This statement was made in a very even, calm voice. It was not a new demand. In fact, I had said it every day—sometimes three times a day—for the last two years.…
Privilege of Freedom: The Privilege of Giving Choices
Freedom to Learn the Privilege of Choice What to make better decisions? Make a few bad ones. Generally speaking, the best learning occurs when we make a poor choice, are allowed to suffer the consequences, and get some guidance from…
Life’s boring bits
On a warm sunny morning not so long ago I took two of my granddaughters to Nathanial Green Park to play. They clambered over the equipment, scaled the slide backward (Don’t most children do this?),and maneuvered the merry-go-round. I sat…
Good Moms Helping Good Dads
Moms and dads both participate in the development of their children, but in unique ways. Both offer love, acceptance and teach life skills, but each accomplishes these in different ways. It’s helpful if moms and dads are aware of these…
Trucking Runs in the Family: With Tony Capraro, Steelman Driver and Father of Two
When Tony Capraro says driving a big rig runs in the family, he’s serious. Both his mother and father, his grandfather, his sisters and younger brother all drove an 18-wheeler at some point in their lives. “It’s in my…
Handling Surge on the Road and at Home
As the driver of an 18-wheel tanker hauling food grade products, John Ogren is familiar with “surge.” He might be hauling anything from liquid chocolate to grape juice to soybean oil; it doesn’t make much difference when he needs to…
Responsibility with Social Media
Quiz time! What happened on these dates in history? March 22, 2002 August 1, 2003 February 4, 2004 …
She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy: A Love Story About Good Dads Board Member Robert Hawkins
Robert Hawkins has been a cattleman for as long as he can remember–his entire life actually. He grew up on a farm and when his father died suddenly while Robert was still a teenager, he carried on the operation with…
Helping your Child Make Friends
As a parent, for the most part, we have the ability to help and protect our children as they grow. We can make sure they don’t go running in the streets, stick things in the outlets or consume toxic items.…