All Pro Dad Podcast

Kids’ fears grow up with them. Babies fear loud noises and separation, young kids battle monsters in the dark, and older kids worry about fitting in at school. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about our kids’ fears and how dads can help guide them through it all.  Why This MattersWhen kids are afraid, they need help processing their feelings.Key Takeaways·      Fear and worry are different: Fear is a present problem while worry is a future problem. ·      Bullying is #1: Pew Research conducted between 2020–25 showed virtually all kids fear being bullied.·      Failure is terrifying: As kids age, the idea they won’t succeed becomes a major fear for many kids.Practical Tips for DadsWhen your kids are fearful, try these action steps:1. Acknowledge Their Fear.2. Ask Why This Scares Them.3. Consider Your Words.Important Episode Timestamps00:00 – 02:33 | Childhood Fears That Stick With Us02:33 – 05:36 | Fear of Losing Parents as a Kid05:36 – 07:11 | Common Fears Kids Have Today07:11 – 09:01 | When Childhood Fear Turns Serious09:01 – 11:54 | Fear vs. Courage: What Dads Should Teach Kids11:54 – 13:36 | How Fear of Failure Starts Early13:36 – 15:32 | How to Talk to Kids About Fear15:32 – 17:20 | How Parents Accidentally Create Anxiety17:20 – 21:22 | Why Overprotecting Kids Backfires21:22 – End | Helping Kids Build Courage and ResilienceAPD Pro Move:The next time your kids say they’re afraid, tell them about a time you were afraid. Tell them how you showed bravery in the moment and encourage them to do the same.All Pro Dad ResourcesEpisode 2: How Can I Help My Anxious Kid?4 Responses That Turn Scared Kids Into Brave Kids5 Ways to Raise A Son Who’ll Overcome His Fears5 Fears We Pass On To Our KidsThe 9 Most Common Childhood Fears ExplainedWe 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

Finances. Job performance. Relationship strife. All of those things impact your stress. Do you know how to handle it? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about the plague of dad stress and how vital it is for men to manage it well. Why This MattersWhen you’re stressed out, you’re not at your best for your kids.Key Takeaways·      There’s no single culprit: Finances, their jobs, and relationships are consistently listed as the top three stressors for men.·      There are 3 kinds of stress: Acute, episodic, and chronic. All three impact dads differently. ·      There are ways to deal with it: Methods like slow breathing and pausing help men manage their stress. ·      Short-term stress can be good: It helps your immune system fight. Stress Relief for Dads: Simple Mental Health Tips That Actually Work1. When you’re stressed, breathe.2. Name your stress.3. Talk about it.4. Pour into yourselfImportant Episode Timestamps00:00 – 02:40 | Stressed-Out Dads and Teenage Reactions02:40 – 05:42 | “I’m More Stressed Than I Realize”05:42 – 07:03 | What Stress Really Is07:03 – 10:10 | The Top 3 Stressors for Men10:10 – 11:38 | The Work–Life Balance Spiral11:38 – 14:11 | When Your Stress Spills Onto Your Family14:11 – 16:48 | Kids Know When Dad Is Stressed—Even If He Doesn’t16:48 – 20:26 | You’re Modeling Stress Management20:26 – 23:50 | Real, Scientific Breathing23:50 – End | Becoming a Calmer DadAPD Pro Move:1) Practice breathing. Inhale twice and exhale slowly. 2) Find a trusted person you can lean on to talk about your stress.All Pro Dad Resources:Episode 31 – Tony Dungy: Is Work-Life Balance Even Possible?5 Things You Don’t Need to Stress About as a DadHow to Reduce the Stress Level in Your LifeiMOM Feel WheelWe 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

Kids are living online, so it makes sense they want to get in on the fun. In a 2023 poll by Morning Consult, more than half of kids said they wanted to be social media influencers. As a dad, would you support that dream? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about the dangers that come with being social media influencers. Why This MattersKids want to be liked, so they tend to imitate the people who seem to be the most liked. What Are the Dangers of Becoming an Influencer?1. SafetyThe Wall Street Journal reported in 2024 that the followers of one particular pre-teen girl influencer was 92% adult men.2. PressureThe pressure to produce daily content, look perfect, and maintain an audience is not something kids are equipped to deal with, nor should they.3. ExploitationOnce kids start making money it’s going to be hard for parents to pull the plug. The Netflix documentary Bad Influence is a perfect example.4. Negative FeedbackKids don’t usually have the experience, perspective, or identity to handle negative criticism from strangers.  5. Social Media ImpactInfluencing takes place primarily on social media, which invites kids to pursue the unattainable, namely being perfect. Important Episode Timestamps00:00 – 00:36 | Childhood Dreams and Aspirations00:36 – 02:17 | The Kids Want to Be YouTubers02:17 – 03:38 | The Seven-Year-Old With 1,000 Views03:38 – 06:22 | The First Red Flag: Who’s Watching Your Kids?06:22 – 07:42 | Kids Are Still Developing Identity and Belonging07:42 – 10:39 | The Hidden Weight of Early Fame10:39 – 12:25 | Disturbing Stats About Pre-Teen Influencers12:25 – 17:01 | The Exploitation Trap — When Money Clouds Judgment17:01 – 18:12 | No Laws Protect Kids Online18:12 – End | How to Respond When Your Kid Wants to Be an InfluencerAPD Pro Move:Talk with your kids about influencers. Ask them who they follow on social media, watch online, and what they think life is like for influencers.Resources: Episode 46 – How Do I Parent in a Social Media World?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

Modern dads are around their kids much more than men were a generation or two ago. We see their struggles more and have opportunities to fix them, but should we? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about supporting our kids without fighting all their battles. Why This MattersOne of the best ways we can support our kids is to stand beside them as they fight their own battles. Key Takeaways·      Modern dads are more involved: Research shows dads now spend 3–4x more time with our kids than men did in the 1970s. ·      But more involved can become “too” involved: More time gave rise to helicopter, lawn mower, bulldozer, and drone parents. ·      Kids will always need support: It will change during every stage, but dads will always play a role in their kids’ lives. Action Steps for Dads1. Know When To Step In2. Step In vs. Step Back3. Really Listen. 4. Helping Them Process.5. Be Their Biggest Fan.6. Letting Them Struggle.Important Episode Timestamps00:00 – 00:43 | Parenting Has Changed Drastically00:43 – 02:12 | Helicopter, Lawnmower & Bulldozer Parents02:12 – 03:38 | The Dawn of the “Drone Parent”03:38 – 07:03 | Tracking, Tech, and Emotional Helicoptering07:03 – 09:12 | Fixing vs. Helping: When Parents Do Too Much09:12 – 12:27 | The Big Question: Support or Interfere?12:27 – 16:40 | Knowing When to Step In: Safety, Severity & Seasons16:40 – 23:03 | Helping Kids Process Challenges Without Taking Over23:03 – 28:32 | Pro Move of the WeekThis week, when you are tempted to jump in, pause and see if your kid can do it on their own. More Resources:Episode 88 – Could Your Son Be Struggling in Silence?Episode 95 – What Challenges is Generation Alpha Facing? 3 Reasons Your Child Needs to Struggle5 Areas Where Your Teen Needs to StruggleWe 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

Have you ever messed up as a dad? Of course you have. We all have, and dad guilt is real. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about how to handle our parenting mistakes in a way that keeps us close to our kids. Why This MattersHow we respond after making a mistake shapes our relationship with our kids.Types of Dad Mess Ups1. Accidental Fails: These are NOT heart issues; these are just mistakes. 2. Emotional Mess Ups: These dismiss how your kids are feeling3. Social Mess Ups: Things that embarrass your kids. 4. Guidance Mess Ups: Giving bad advice to you’re your kids. 5. Presence Mess Ups: Simply, not being there for your kids.  What is dad guilt?Dad guilty is typically defined as the feeling men have when they think they have fallen short of their desires or expectations as a parent.   How To Get Over Dad Guilt?Action Step 1: Have awareness.Action Step 2: Own your mess up.Action Step 3: Apologize.Action Step 4: Forgive yourself.Action Step 5: Plan for next time.Important Episode Timestamps 00:00 – 03:53 | The Broken Wrist Vacation Fail03:53 – 05:12 | When Kids Hide Their Pain to “Be Easy”05:12 – 06:33 | The Garage Door Face-Plant Story06:33 – 09:22 | When Your Mistake Becomes a 4,000-Pound Reminder09:22 – 11:25 | The Big Question: What Do I Do When I Mess Up as a Dad?11:25 – 13:49 | Embarrassing Kids in Public: Social Fails13:49 – 16:20 | Presence Fails: When You’re There but Not Really There16:20 – 20:33 | Action Step #1: Show Awareness and Identify the Mess-Up20:33 – 25:23 | Action Step #2: Own It and Apologize Well25:23 – End | Action Step #3: Plan for Next Time and Don’t Repeat the PatternAPD Pro Move:When you mess up this week, say you’re sorry. Tell your child they did not deserve it and remind them that you love them. All Pro Dad Resources: Episode 106 – What Is A Passenger Parent and Am I One?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