#182. Stop Fixing Your Kids. Start Doing This Instead | Penn Holderness Part 2

Are you unknowingly pushing your kids away when you just want to help—especially as they become teenagers?

If you're a dad who wants to stay truly connected with your children as they grow, you know how tough it can be not to jump in and fix every problem. This episode has practical insights to help you build genuine trust and keep the lines of communication open, even during the challenging teenage years.

Discover why stepping back from problem-solving can actually draw your kids closer and strengthen your bond Learn how practicing empathy makes your children feel safe to share and keeps their trust in you Get actionable ideas for staying present and intentional as a father, no matter how hectic life becomes Listen now for real-life wisdom that will help you build a lasting connection with your kids and become the dad they truly trust!

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If this episode resonated with you, it's probably because you're already a good dad who cares deeply—you just wish showing up consistently felt easier.

That's exactly why I created the Connected Dad Course. https://dadcentral.ca/connected-dad-course/

It's a practical, step-by-step roadmap that helps dads move from reacting to responding... from feeling overwhelmed to leading with confidence.

If you're ready to stop trying harder and start following a system that works, I'd love to have you inside. Join here: https://dad-central.circle.so/checkout/the-connected-dad-course

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Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: Emotional lives of kids and parenting with empathy 00:11 – Show intro  00:40 – Transition to building stronger relationships as kids grow 01:38 – Intentionality in fatherhood: Penn's example and influences 02:12 – Penn's father's legacy and parenting through presence and honesty 03:25 – Sports and shared activities as a bridge across childhood stages 04:29 – Managing busy life and investing in self-care 04:42 – Tennis, pickleball, and connecting with other dads for stress relief 05:11 – Family time as a source of joy and stress relief 06:05 – Finding common ground with kids to connect as a family 06:33 – Listener and family feedback on Penn's content 07:22 – Where to find more about the Holderness family online 08:15 – Host reflections: Penn's intentionality and early fatherhood 10:09 – Lessons from Penn on not fixing kids' problems, building empathy 11:09 – Launch and purpose of the Dad Mentor community 12:24 – Importance of community and time with other dads 12:55 – Show close: sponsor message, feedback, and resources 13:50 – Closing reminders: Empathy, presence, and being available for kids -----

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