To speak something into existance. I don’t think I knew what that meant. The one thing that stuck with me is that most likely your voice will be the voice your kids hear in their head for the rest of their lives. What do you want them to hear? Are you always disappointed? Are you expecting too much? Do you wish that they were better, kinder, smarter, less annoying? I have thought all of these things and worse. But these are my problems that I don’t need to make my kids’ inner monolgue. Consider a little more what you are saying to them all the time and perhaps there is another way of saying it. Maybe our approach is actually someone elses approach that we need to move on from. Progress not perfection. Intention instead of riding the wave of emotion that we live in. Build your kids inner voice up in a way that will serve them well and prepare them for life. What do you want them to say that their dad always said?

Check this out: Phrases to memorize and say all the time to your kids

Takeaway: No one has this figured out but there are always things that you wish someone would have done a little better for you when you were a kid. Do those things for your kid.

Cook This: Sweet Potatoes

One ingredient foods are about as good as you can do. Make sure 2-4 of these are in your cart every week. They have vitamins and minerals and are delicious if you prepare in the manner below. Enjoy Dad!

Recipe here: Sweet Potatoes for Life Recipe

One thing I try to do is every few weeks is to put in a bunch of library requests for both my sons. This does a few things. 1. It gets them excited about reading something new 2. It is free 3. They know that I thought about them specifically when choosing these books. My kids struggle to find books for themselves and this helps us both get what we want.

A few tips:

Follow elementary school teachers who share what they are reading with their classess - instagram is full of them - Check out this article to get some ideas.

Google great book series for your age kids - There are so many series that you never knew existed and that they have at the library.

A few to start:

The Owl Diaries

Magic Treehouse

Series of Unfortunate Events

If you haven’t ever read John Wooden, now is the time. As a coach, husband, and dad John did it all. His practical approach and kind nature is a great voice to add to your approach with your kids. The one idea I loved recently was being a realistic optimist with your kids and yourself. Both you and they can do great things, not instantly but over time with consistent effort and intention.

Read this: A lifetime of reflections on and off the courty by John Wooden

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]