🧠 Topics Covered:

• What gentle parenting actually means
• The difference between permissive and respectful
• Why “being the adult” doesn’t mean being the boss
• Handling triggers without shame
• How we model emotional regulation
• Where we’ve gotten it wrong—and what we’ve learned
• Why connection gives your discipline more power

🎯 This episode is for:

• Dads trying to be intentional but overwhelmed
• Parents unsure about the “soft” stuff
• Anyone who’s yelled then regretted it
• Folks wondering if respectful parenting is too nice

🔑 What We Talk About:
Why “being there” isn’t always easy, but it always matters
How dads carry pressure to fix things instead of just be there
The pilot-in-turbulence metaphor that redefined Nick’s parenting mindset
Learning to shift from resentment to gratitude in daily chaos
Accepting failure and showing your kids that love is consistent, not perfect

💥 This Week’s Challenge:
Next time you walk into chaos after a long day, take a breath. Instead of trying to fix everything, try just being present — tired, imperfect, but available.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe:
Find Why, Dad? on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you stream your podcasts.
Follow us on Instagram @whydadpod for real dad talk, one post at a time.

What We Talk About:
🧠 Why mental health maintenance (not just crisis response) is essential
🥦 How nutrition, sleep, and blood sugar affect emotional regulation
🏋️ The connection between movement, play, and showing up well as a dad
🧃 Why your discipline slips when your energy does
💬 Modeling emotional health for your kids by doing your own inner work
🎯 Letting go of shame and starting small when building healthy habits

Quotes from the Episode:

“We think discipline is about our kids—but we need it for ourselves first.”
“You can’t regulate your kid’s nervous system if yours is shot from no sleep and four donuts.”
“Therapy isn’t a fix button. It’s maintenance for the mind.”

This Week’s Challenge:
Take inventory of one area: sleep, nutrition, movement, or emotional processing. What’s one step you could take this week to support your health so you can better support your family?