Moms tackle mountains of housework, cook great dinners, and organize the family calendar with the precision of a surgeon. They do so much for their families. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to acknowledge moms and discuss how we as dads can lighten their load. Mother’s Day is coming. How can you involve your kids in the day and make sure it’s a memorable one? Here’s a helpful hint: Breakfast in bed is never a bad idea. Let’s talk about some Mother’s Day ideas for your wife, and how we can continue to serve her after the holiday ends. Why This MattersMoms are important, and not just on Mother’s Day. Key TakeawaysUnequal distribution of the mental load in marriage leads to resentmentMoms carry an “invisible load”: Episode 47 of the iMOM Podcast breaks this down very well.Practical Tools for Dads1. Acknowledge the invisible load moms carry in the home. 2. Step up without being asked, to lighten the load on your wife. 3. Reframe household chores as teamwork. It’s all about partnering with your wife. 4. Teach kids to contribute. 5. Make Mother’s Day and every day meaningful. Important Episode Timestamps00:00 - 00:54 | Introduction & Big Question of the Day00:54 - 02:07 | The Invisible Load of Motherhood02:07 - 05:11 | Real-Life Examples of Mom’s Hidden Work05:11 - 06:06 | Jimmy on Relationships Video Clip06:06 - 09:13 | It's Not About the Spa—It’s About the Mental Load09:13 - 12:13 | Teaching Kids to Help Lighten the Load12:13 - 15:03 | Sharing Household Roles Without Being Asked15:03 - 18:00 | Stop Assuming—Start Participating18:00 - 22:00 | 5 Ways to Lighten the Load Year-RoundAPD Pro Move:Choose one task that can be taken off your wife’s plate. Do it this week and stick with it. All Pro Dad Resources:9 Easy Ideas for a Mother’s Day PlanWhat Moms Really Want for Mother’s DayMother’s Day anWe love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!Connect with Us: Ted Lowe on LinkedIn Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn BJ Foster on LinkedIn Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Get All Pro Dad merch! EXTRAS: Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)Join 200,000+ other dads by subscribing to the All Pro Dad Play of the Day. Get daily fatherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration straight to your inbox.This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com. Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.Get great content for moms at iMOM.com
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27:27
Checking in With Kids: 5 Gauges Dads Need To Know
If that little ‘check engine’ light comes on while you’re driving, it can make your palms sweat. Nobody likes it when unexpected problems pop up with their car. The same is true with your family. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster to talk about checking our gauges as parents so we can understand our kids better and prevent breakdowns in our parent-child relationship.Checking in with kids is even more important than getting a timely oil change. It’s what keeps the gears turning properly in your home. Dads must understand the challenges their kids are facing. Enjoy this thoughtful conversation all geared toward molding men into finely tuned dads. Why This MattersIf we want our kids to thrive, we must be tuned in to what’s going on in their lives. The 5 GaugesThe Friend Gauge: Who are your kids hanging out with?The School Gauge: How are things going in the classroom?The Sports Gauge: how are extracurricular activities shaping your kids?The Feelings Gauge: Understanding their emotions is paramount. The Dad Gauge: To lead your family well, you must take care of yourself. Important Episode Timestamps00:00 - 00:54 | Introduction & This Week’s Big Question01:54 - 03:15 | A “Parental Gotcha” Story That Sparked the Idea03:15 - 07:07 | Gauge #1: The Friend Gauge07:07 - 09:02 | Gauge #2: The School Gauge09:02 - 14:09 | Gauge #3: The Sports & Activities Gauge14:09 - 20:18 | Gauge #4: The Feelings Gauge20:18 - 21:23 | Safe & Strong: What Kids Really Need from Dads21:23 - 24:55 | Gauge #5: The Dad Gauge24:55 - 26:04 | Progress Over Perfection: A Word of Encouragement26:04 - 27:12 | Pro Move of the Week: Check Just One GaugeAPD Pro Move:Choose one of the five gauges to check in on this week—with your child, your spouse, or yourself.All Pro Dad Resources:5 Kids Gauges You Need to Check Consistently3 Ways to Become an Irrelevant DadWhen Your Kids ReWe love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!Connect with Us: Ted Lowe on LinkedIn Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn BJ Foster on LinkedIn Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Get All Pro Dad merch! EXTRAS: Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)Join 200,000+ other dads by subscribing to the All Pro Dad Play of the Day. Get daily fatherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration straight to your inbox.This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com. Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.Get great content for moms at iMOM.com
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27:42
How Should I Approach Discipline in My Home?
Timeout. Natural consequences. Tap in, tap out. There are a lot of ways to go about disciplining our kids. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about dads’ role in it all. A child who is not disciplined is a child who grows up without a rudder. Discipline enables kids to thrive. It isn't exactly the most fun part of parenting, but it’s necessary. Even good fathers can struggle to do it well. We give a few options that any dad can try in this episode.Why This MattersAll kids need to be disciplined, but if it’s not done well, dads can create long-term problems. Key TakeawaysConsistency Matters: Discipline loses its effectiveness if it’s not administered consistentlyStrive To Be United With Your Spouse: Differing messages confuse kidsStaying Calm is Always the Goal: Kids receive information better from a calm parentTimeout Loses Effectiveness the Longer it Lasts: Indiana University researchers say timeouts with young children should be limited to three minutes maximum.Important Episode Timestamps00:00 - 00:54 | Introduction & Meet the Hosts00:54 - 02:12 | Big Question: What Are Positive Discipline Techniques?02:12 - 06:45 | What Parents Get Wrong About Discipline06:45 - 10:32 | The Power of Connection Before Correction10:32 - 15:18 | The Role of Natural Consequences in Teaching Responsibility15:18 - 20:04 | Balancing Grace & Accountability in Parenting20:04 - 24:33 | Discipline Strategies That Actually Work24:33 - 29:27 | How to Handle Disrespect & Defiance Without Yelling29:27 - 32:48 | Teaching Kids Self-Discipline for Long-Term Success32:48 - 34:57 | Pro Move of the WeekAPD Pro Move:Talk with your wife about which discipline method would help you maintain connection with your kids. All Pro Dad ResourcesHow to Discipline Children Without Destroying Them22 Discipline Ideas for DadsHow to Discipline a ChildWe love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!Connect with Us: Ted Lowe on LinkedIn Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn BJ Foster on LinkedIn Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Get All Pro Dad merch! EXTRAS: Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)Join 200,000+ other dads by subscribing to the All Pro Dad Play of the Day. Get daily fatherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration straight to your inbox.This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com. Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.Get great content for moms at iMOM.com
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29:43
All Pro Dad Discusses Netflix's 'Adolescence' Series
It feels like the whole world is talking about Adolescence on Netflix. It’s a drama that takes viewers into the immediate aftermath of a shocking crime: the arrest of a 13-year-old boy for the murder of his classmate. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster to work through some of the challenging themes of the popular show and what it means for parents. Adolescence focuses on the accusatory process of the boy’s investigation. It’s raw, emotional, and eye-opening. It underscores the critical need for parents to be actively involved in their children's online world, to understand the pressures and influences they face, and to foster open communication about difficult topics like online behavior, relationships, and societal expectations. Why This MattersAdolescence on Netflix compels parents to consider their role in shaping their children's values and to recognize the subtle signs of distress or dangerous ideologies before it's too late.Key TakeawaysThere are dangers online: Parents must be aware of their kids’ online activityYoung minds are very impressionable: Teens especially are easily influenced Kids face hidden pressures: Often, they aren’t vocalized, which means parents but be vigilant Important Episode Timestamps00:00 - 00:54 | Introduction & Meet the Hosts00:54 - 02:03 | What Is Adolescence on Netflix?02:03 - 04:01 | Extreme Story, Real-Life Relevance04:01 - 07:02 | Empathy for Kids—and for Parents07:02 - 08:13 | Big Question: How Do We Help Our Kids Navigate the Digital World?08:13 - 12:01 | A Teen’s World: Validation, Criticism, and the Weight of Online Pressure12:01 - 15:32 | Why Parents Struggle to Keep Up15:32 - 18:03 | Dads in the Dark: Setting Boundaries in a Changing World18:03 - 22:16 | Practical Steps for Dads: Watch, Ask, Listen22:16 - 23:59 | Pro Move of the WeekAPD Pro Move:Set a reminder on your phone to have at least a weekly, regular 'digital check-ins' with your kids. Let them know they can tell you anything and you support them.Listen Again:Episode 39 – Is My Kid Addicted We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!Connect with Us: Ted Lowe on LinkedIn Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn BJ Foster on LinkedIn Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Get All Pro Dad merch! EXTRAS: Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)Join 200,000+ other dads by subscribing to the All Pro Dad Play of the Day. Get daily fatherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration straight to your inbox.This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com. Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.Get great content for moms at iMOM.com
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24:01
Tony Dungy: Am I Giving My Kids Enough Freedom?
Do you let your kids play out of your sight? Does the thought of them being off on their own unsupervised send you into a fearful spiral? You’re not alone. Parents around the world are trying to balance offering their kids freedom while still keeping them safe. Ted Lowe, founder of Family First Mark Merrill, and Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Dungy examine this tricky parenting problem in today’s episode. Parents have become increasingly more protective in recent generations. That’s put a limit on their kids’ freedom. Dads can’t supervise every moment. We must get comfortable with our kids taking on calculated, age-appropriate risks. That’s how they build maturity.Why This MattersEarning freedom is important to kids, but parents can’t give it away too quickly or too easily. Key Takeaways· “Stranger danger” fears caused problems: There is a 1 in 720,000 chance of a child getting kidnapped, yet parents are afraid to let kids out of their sight. · There’s no one-size-fits-all formula: “Fair is not always equal,” says Dungy. It is something that he learned from his dad. Privileges won’t always look uniform in your home. That doesn’t mean things are “unfair.”· Your family rules weigh more: Tony put it this way: “Dungys are different. The Dungys don’t look like the Smiths or the Joneses. Just because someone else does or doesn’t do something doesn’t impact us. If people don’t like that, that’s OK.”Important Episode Timestamps00:00 - 00:54 | Introduction & Meet the Guests00:54 - 02:01 | Big Question: Should I Try Free-Range Parenting?02:01 - 06:10 | Growing Up with Freedom: Tony & Mark’s Childhood Stories06:10 - 10:57 | How Parenting Has Changed Over the Generations10:57 - 16:33 | The Challenge of Social Media & Digital Freedom16:33 - 21:24 | Balancing Physical & Emotional Safety21:24 - 26:42 | Setting Boundaries: Fair Isn’t Always Equal26:42 - 30:57 | The Power of Family Identity & Clear Expectations30:57 - 33:18 | Modeling the Right Behavior for Kids33:18 - 34:57 | Pro Move of the WeekAPD Pro Move:Remember to set boundaries in love. All Pro Dad Resources:5 Expectations That Hurt Your SonWe love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!Connect with Us: Ted Lowe on LinkedIn Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn BJ Foster on LinkedIn Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Get All Pro Dad merch! EXTRAS: Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)Join 200,000+ other dads by subscribing to the All Pro Dad Play of the Day. Get daily fatherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration straight to your inbox.This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com. Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.Get great content for moms at iMOM.com
On average, men switch jobs every four years, but one role guys will never outgrow, is dad. It’s a serious responsibility that lasts a lifetime and comes with highs, lows, and a ton of questions. It’s okay not to have all the answers… but the most committed dads are always chasing them. The All Pro Dad podcast helps men navigate their toughest parenting problems. Experienced dads discuss what has worked for them, tackle scary topics, and learn to love their kids well. We do it all with a combination of humor and humility. If you have more questions than answers, this is the place to be. Today’s the perfect day to become an All Pro Dad.
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