For some reason, I love sharing all the nonsensical phrases I’ve picked up over the years with my kids—mostly because it’s hilarious to hear them repeat them. Listen to a five-year-old say, “Put that in your pipe and smoke it,” and you’ll know what I mean. It is, I realize, probably not A+ parenting.

The point is, most of the things we do with our kids have a reason—and some don’t. Both belong. Explain why the way we treat others reflects who we are, and that the only real way to be cool is to be yourself. Then be ready to say it fifty more times over the next five years if you want it to stick. Better yet, just live it. If your approach is right, theirs will follow.

So when you fight or disagree, how do you do it in a way that feels right? If you wrestle, how do you do it without wrecking your back for two weeks? If you cry—or they cry—just feel it. And if you run out of patience and say something you shouldn’t have, repair it. Say you’re sorry. Start over. None of us do that enough.

Try this: Instead of wrestling this week, build an obstacle course or a mini biathlon. If you watched the Olympics, you know we Americans have some catching up to do there. Set up five stations and use a timer. Do it with them if you can. For the biathlon, combine running or biking with something to throw or shoot.

Remember: action matters more than perfection. Announce the games with authority and have some prizes ready—trophies, medals, or leftover Halloween candy.

This is something easy, fun, and brief to do with your kids in the morning, after dinner or whenever. My one year old even tries it when she sees everyone bouncing and stretching. Move it or lose it dad.

Cook This: $50 Meal Prep - Watch this from Life by Mike G.

Can easier food be better for you? Can you control your food budget? The video above will give you some ideas on how to stay on a budget and cook real food that hopefully someone in your house will eat.

Oh man I have been trying to make my kids love everything I put in front of them. It really is depressing how much I genuinely try and how many books on this stuff I check out from the library only to see a new take on english muffin pizza. One thing they did like (at least one of them) are the homemade protein bars (recipe here).

This is happening this Saturday March 7th at your local Home Deport 9am -12pm

Try this: We have been going to Home Deport to do these workshops for years. It is anything from a bird feeder to a earth shaped pot for a plant. It actually doesn’t matter because you get to hammer and paint for free and make a mess outside of the house. Everybody wins and I promise it’s fun.

I know every week your kids bring home everything they did at school or they cleaned out their cubby and their backpack is overflowing. Yes you could recyle the lot but the more fun dad option is to choose a wall in the house and use painters tape to build a wall of masterpieces for birds, rainbows, and whatever that other thing is that they love. Remember if you’re excited they are excited. Get excited dad.

This newsletter is not professional in nature but intended to be real things to try. They won’t all work but this is a process and I’d love for you to join me on the way. Thanks for reading and we hope to see you next week.

Send me a note or your best dad joke @ [email protected]