Taking my 3yo and 6yo camping for the first time this weekend. We're just doing a state park about 45 min away, one night in a cabin. Got the gear ready but I'm nervous about keeping them entertained and dealing with bedtime outside. Any advice from guys who've done this? Should I plan activities or...
Moved from a big city to a small town when my oldest was born. It was terrifying, gave up a career I worked 10 years to build. But my wife's family was here and we wanted to raise kids differently. Now we're 8 years in and I can't imagine going back. My kids actually know their neighbors, play outsi...
Trying to get the whole family into hiking. Started with super easy trails but now my kids actually want to go. Last weekend we did a 4 mile loop and my 6yo did the whole thing. Been planning bigger trips for next year. It's a way better alternative to being inside all week and the kids sleep so goo...
We just got home from the hospital this morning and our son is sleeping but I keep checking if he's breathing. Every little noise freaks me out. My wife is exhausted and sleeping but I can't turn my brain off. Is this normal or am I losing it?
Real leadership isn't about commanding a room or being the loudest voice. My dad taught me that a real man leads quietly through his actions and integrity. At work I don't need to prove anything or raise my voice. I show up prepared, I follow through, I treat everyone from the janitor to the CEO wit...
Decided to save money and install new kitchen cabinets myself instead of hiring someone. Watched a bunch of YouTube videos, felt confident, bought the hardware, and then realized the walls are crooked. Now I've got 4 cabinets that don't line up and my wife thinks it's hilarious that I'm out here wit...
Took my two sons and my buddy's three kids camping up north last weekend. No cell service, just tents, fishing, and cooking over a fire. My 8 year old caught his first fish and didn't stop smiling for hours. We made terrible campfire food, told dumb jokes, and slept like rocks. Coming home the kids ...
Know it sounds old fashioned but I hand write thank you notes after gifts, dinner invites, job interviews, everything. Takes 10 minutes. My kids think I'm crazy but people remember it. Had a hiring manager tell me 3 years later that my note was the reason they picked me over another candidate. Littl...
Had my 8 year old meet my boss at the company picnic last weekend. Kid gave him one of those limp fish handshakes and I about died. Spent the whole drive home talking about firm grip, eye contact, and saying sir/ma'am. My old man did the same with me and I'm grateful for it. These small things matte...
I told him his room was so messy it looked like a tornado hit it. He goes, 'Dad, tornadoes don't leave toys everywhere, they clean everything up.' Like where is this confidence coming from? I'm the worst at this game.
I'm struggling with this. My kids are 7 and 10 and right now they get about an hour on weekends but I'm wondering if I'm being too strict. My wife thinks we should let them have a little more especially when we're cooking dinner. What's everyone else doing? I don't want them glued to devices but I a...
My daughter told her friend's mom that I'm 'the coolest dad ever because he lets me pick the music in the car.' I literally just let her play the Disney soundtrack and she thought I was the best. That's all it takes apparently. I'm riding this high for the next month.
Went to a restaurant last week and watched a younger guy just bark orders at the waitress like she was beneath him. No please, no thank you, talking down to her. I wanted to say something but it wasn't my place. But it made me think about how important it is that we raise boys who understand basic r...
With all this modern confusion about what a man is supposed to be, I'm trying to raise my boy the old fashioned way. Firm handshakes, looking people in the eye, standing up for what's right even when it's unpopular, taking responsibility for his mistakes. He's 12 and already getting pushback from sc...
My 9 year old asked me why I told him to be kind to everyone at school but I was just mean to someone on the phone. That hurt. He was right. I realized I've been preaching values but not always walking them out myself. How can I expect my kids to follow Christ if they don't see it in me? Started bei...