#182. Stop Fixing Your Kids. Start Doing This Instead | Penn Holderness Part 2
Dad Central: A Parenting Podcast To Reduce Stress & Build Confidence In FatherhoodShow Notes
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! ----- 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 ----- 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 ----- "Dad Central is a podcast that supports fathers in navigating fatherhood, reducing stress, building confidence, managing parenting stress, and improving parenting skills, including discipline, co-parenting, custody issues, calm parenting, and effective communication with children, to foster happy children and strong parent-child relationships."
More from Dad Central: A Parenting Podcast To Reduce Stress & Build Confidence In Fatherhood
What are your kids learning about money from the way you react to bills, purchases, and unexpected expenses? Your children may absorb your money attitudes before they understand money itself. This episode shows how to teach limits, trade-offs, saving, and responsibility without passing along fear, shame, or constant financial anxiety. Listeners will learn how to: Recognize the money messages their children pick up by watching them. Replace fear-based statements with language about choices, priorities, and planning. Use age-appropriate conversations and five practical actions to build healthier money habits at home. Play the episode now to get practical ways to help your kids make meaningful money decisions without fear. ----- The Connected Dad Course offers practical guidance to help fathers regulate stress, strengthen relationships, and lead their families with intention. Visit https://dadcentral.ca/connected-dad-course/ today and learn how to become the steady example your family needs. ----- Timestamps: 00:00 Money as a tool, not a measure of worth 00:40 How parents' money attitudes shape children 02:01 Childhood money messages and family patterns 05:12 Kids learn financial habits by watching 07:29 Replacing anxiety-driven money language 08:02 Discussing financial limits without creating fear 11:08 Four lessons money-smart kids need 15:10 Age-appropriate money conversations 17:15 Five actions dads can take this week 19:21 Key takeaways for raising money-smart kids 20:58 The Connected Dad course as a family resource 21:31 Helping kids manage money without shame or fear
What if the real problem in your money arguments isn't the amount you spend, but the blame, shame, and defensiveness that follow? Money conversations can quickly shift from discussing a purchase to judging each other's character. This episode helps you recognize the money stories and family experiences each person brings into a relationship, then replace accusation with curiosity, teamwork, and shared goals. Listeners will gain: A clearer understanding of why money feels so personal in a relationship. Practical language for focusing on the financial problem without attacking the person. A simple 20-minute money meeting framework built around no surprises, no shame, and no fixing for the first five minutes. Play the episode now to learn how a few structured questions can turn your next money conversation into a chance for teamwork instead of another fight. ----- The Connected Dad Course offers practical guidance to help fathers regulate stress, strengthen relationships, and lead their families with intention. Visit https://dadcentral.ca/connected-dad-course/ today and learn how to become the steady example your family needs. ----- Timestamps: 00:00 Why money conversations can create conflict 03:42 Why money gets personal 05:54 How family upbringing shapes money beliefs 08:50 The blame and shame cycle 11:00 Three ways to change money conversations 14:57 The money meeting every couple can try 16:11 Questions for a productive money meeting 17:46 What dads can model for their kids 19:31 Episode recap and key takeaways 20:26 Resources and finding a neutral financial guide 22:18 Closing reflection on avoided money conversations ----- Dad Central is a podcast that supports fathers in navigating fatherhood, reducing stress, building confidence, managing parenting stress, and improving parenting skills, including discipline, co-parenting, custody issues, calm parenting, and effective communication with children, to foster happy children and strong parent-child relationships.
Are your kids learning that money is a tool for making choices, or something to fear, fight about, and worry over? Your children may absorb your reactions to bills, purchases, unexpected expenses, and financial stress before they understand the decisions behind them. This episode shows you how to model money conversations that build judgment without passing on anxiety. Recognize the money attitudes and emotional habits your children may be learning by watching you. Replace fear-based statements with practical language about choices, priorities, trade-offs, and planning. Use age-appropriate conversations, savings goals, and everyday decisions to help your kids develop financial judgment. Play the episode now to learn five practical ways to raise money-smart kids without making money feel frightening. ----- The Connected Dad Course offers practical guidance to help fathers regulate stress, strengthen relationships, and lead their families with intention. Visit https://dadcentral.ca/connected-dad-course/ today and learn how to become the steady example your family needs. ----- Timestamps: 00:00 Money as a tool, not a measure of worth 00:40 How children absorb parents' money attitudes 01:36 Raising money-smart kids without passing on anxiety 05:12 Kids learn money before they understand it 07:28 Replacing anxiety-driven money language 11:08 Four lessons money-smart kids need 15:10 Age-appropriate money conversations 17:15 Five practical actions dads can take this week 19:21 Key takeaways for teaching healthy money habits 20:58 The Connected Dad course and family foundations 21:31 Modeling planning, honesty, resilience, and responsibility ----- Dad Central is a podcast that supports fathers in navigating fatherhood, reducing stress, building confidence, managing parenting stress, and improving parenting skills, including discipline, co-parenting, custody issues, calm parenting, and effective communication with children, to foster happy children and strong parent-child relationships.
Does bedtime feel like a fresh negotiation every night, or does your child know exactly what happens next? When pajamas go missing, homework suddenly appears, and screens make winding down harder, bedtime can quickly become a battle. This episode shows how a predictable routine can reduce negotiation, create security, support better sleep, and help your child move toward greater independence. Listeners will gain: A practical framework for building a calm, consistent bedtime routine without turning it into a rulebook. Ways to create screen-free connection before bed, including a focused 5-to-10-minute connection window. Strategies for keeping the routine useful when real life brings travel, illness, sports, teenagers pushing back, or unexpected disruptions. Play the episode to learn how to start a seven-night bedtime reset that gives your family more connection, calm, and confidence. ----- Create a Calmer Home The Connected Dad Course helps you regulate your emotions, strengthen connection, and build family routines that meet everyone's needs. Start creating the calm, confidence, and connection your family needs. Learn more and enroll here: https://dadcentral.ca/connected-dad-course/ ----- Timestamps: 00:00 The importance of predictable bedtime routines 01:10 Research on consistent bedtimes and better sleep 03:40 Why routines create security and reduce negotiation 05:47 The five Cs of a calm bedtime routine 07:34 Example bedtime routine and research recommendations 08:05 Connection before correction 10:30 Building children's confidence and responsibility 12:38 Technology, screens, and the evening reset 14:32 Adapting routines when life gets in the way 16:33 The seven-day dad routine challenge 17:40 Key takeaways for supporting sleep 18:45 The Connected Dad Course resource ----- Dad Central is a podcast that supports fathers in navigating fatherhood, reducing stress, building confidence, managing parenting stress, and improving parenting skills, including discipline, co-parenting, custody issues, calm parenting, and effective communication with children, to foster happy children and strong parent-child relationships.
Is your child falling behind because they're unmotivated, or because homework, sports, activities, and family demands have left them exhausted? A packed schedule can quietly eliminate sleep, downtime, unstructured play, family meals, and meaningful connection. This episode helps you recognize when a busy routine has crossed into burnout, and how to protect the space your child needs to stay healthy, engaged, and emotionally available. Listeners will learn to: Spot physical, emotional, academic, and family warning signs that a schedule has become too much. Tell when homework is supporting learning or pushing bedtime, stress, and family life in the wrong direction. Use a five-question schedule test to protect sleep, unstructured time, enjoyment, and family connection. Play the episode now to use the five-question schedule test and identify one activity your child might feel relieved to lose. ----- The Connected Dad Course offers practical guidance to help fathers regulate stress, strengthen relationships, and lead their families with intention. Visit https://dadcentral.ca/connected-dad-course/ today and learn how to become the steady example your family needs. ----- Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to homework, sports, and overscheduling 02:06 Work-life integration and creating healthy family margin 03:53 Benefits of being busy 06:11 Warning signs that a schedule has become too much 09:49 When homework becomes counterproductive 13:13 Sports development versus burnout 17:13 The five-question dad schedule test 20:36 Key takeaways on sleep, recovery, connection, and unstructured time 21:53 Connected Dad course and family values 22:55 Protecting empty space and reviewing the family calendar ----- Dad Central is a podcast that supports fathers in navigating fatherhood, reducing stress, building confidence, managing parenting stress, and improving parenting skills, including discipline, co-parenting, custody issues, calm parenting, and effective communication with children, to foster happy children and strong parent-child relationships.