“Money doesn’t grow on trees! Pull my finger!” Some dad phrases are goofy. But others? They can be quite hurtful, even if we don’t mean for them to be. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about common phrases we need to cut out.

Why This Matters
Words aren’t neutral with our kids. They are either helpful or hurtful.

Phrases That Make Kids Feel Small and Unheard

1. "Stop crying or I’ll give you something to cry about."
Instead, try: "It's okay to feel sad/frustrated/scared. Tell me what's going on."

2. “What’s wrong with you?”
Instead, try: "That choice wasn't like you. Help me understand what happened.

Phrases That Can Hurt Our Connection With Our Kids

3. "When I was your age…"
Instead, try: "You are growing up in a different world than I did. Explain it to me like I’m a martian.

4. “You are making me crazy.”
Instead, try: "I’m feeling really frustrated right now. I need a minute, and then we can talk about.”

Phrases That Can Mess Up How Our Kids See Authority and Even God

5. "Because I said so."
Instead, try: "Focus on natural consequences and clear boundaries: "If you don't pick up your toys, they'll be put away for a week."

6. “I’m disappointed in you.”
Instead, try: "I'm disappointed with that choice you made, and I know you can do better."

Important Episode Timestamps

00:00 – 02:36 | Dad Phrases We All Say
02:36 – 04:09 | Southern Sayings and Dad Humor
04:09 – 05:08 | The Big Question: What Should Dads Stop Saying?
05:08 – 08:52 | “Stop Crying or I’ll Give You Something to Cry About”
08:52 – 10:00 | “What’s Wrong with You?” and “What Were You Thinking?”
10:00 – 13:05 | “When I Was Your Age” and “You’re Making Me Crazy”
13:05 – 17:52 | “Because I Said So” and the Problem with Authority
17:52 – End | “I’m Disappointed in You” and the Weight of Words

APD Pro Move:
This week, before you correct, question, or even joke with your child, pause for just one second and ask yourself, 'Is what I'm about to say hurtful or helpful for my kid?

All Pro Dad Resources:

Episode 61 – What Prob

We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!

Connect with Us:

Ted Lowe on LinkedIn

Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn

BJ Foster on LinkedIn

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

Get All Pro Dad merch!

EXTRAS:

Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)

Join 200,000+ other dads by subscribing to the All Pro Dad Play of the Day.
Get daily fatherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration straight to your inbox.

This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com.

Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.

Get great content for moms at iMOM.com

If your son has a TikTok or Instagram account, he’s likely aware of the manosphere. Even if he’s off social media, his friends probably aren’t. The world of hyper masculine, misogynistic, anti-feminist content is becoming increasingly popular with young men, but why? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about the dangerous content of the manosphere and how it’s resonating with boys and young men.

Why This Matters
There’s nothing beneficial about the manosphere, so we should learn how to help our family avoid its poison.

What Do Most Boys Want?
Kids, especially boys, are asking themselves these questions:

1. “Who am I?”
Boys are looking for identity.

2. “Where do I belong?”
Boys want to fit in.

3. “How do I influence the world?”
Boys are looking to leave their mark.

Important Episode Timestamps

00:00 – 02:03 | What Is the Manosphere?
The hosts define key terms and unpack how online communities shape men’s beliefs about masculinity.

02:03 – 04:11 | The Good, the Bad, and the Confusing
The dads tackle the mixed messages the manosphere sends.

04:11 – 06:32 | When Men Feel Unseen
Many men turn to the manosphere when they feel misunderstood by culture.

06:32 – 09:15 | Influencers and Echo Chambers
Certain voices online gain power by amplifying anger and oversimplifying manhood.

09:15 – 12:05 | Real Strength vs. Online Posturing
Authentic masculinity is marked by service and humility.

12:05 – 15:12 | Why Young Men Are Vulnerable
Loneliness, fatherlessness, and social media pull teens into toxic content.

15:12 – 18:37 | Calling Dads to Engage
Fathers must teach boys what real manhood looks like.

18:37 – 22:43 | Modeling Healthy Masculinity
The dads share stories and practical ways to show strength through gentleness and integrity.

22:43 – End | Pro Move: “Ask your son who he is following on social media. Ask him if he’s heard of the manosphere, incels, and “red pills” and find out what he thinks about it.”

All Pro Dad Resources

5 Ways We Want Our Sons to Rethink Manhood

5 Destructive Messages We Send Our Sons

We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!

Connect with Us:

Ted Lowe on LinkedIn

Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn

BJ Foster on LinkedIn

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

Get All Pro Dad merch!

EXTRAS:

Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)

Join 200,000+ other dads by subscribing to the All Pro Dad Play of the Day.
Get daily fatherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration straight to your inbox.

This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com.

Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.

Get great content for moms at iMOM.com

The rates of anxiety, depression, and self-harm have been steadily increasing for the last decade. The COVID-19 pandemic did nothing to slow it down. If anything, it made it worse. How are dads to deal with their kids’ mental health? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by Dr. Chinwé Williams to talk about how to raise emotionally resilient kids.

Why This Matters

Empathy is powerful, but a lot of us are bad at it. Learning to be a more empathetic father makes us a better father.

Key Takeaways

· Our kids need help.

· Anxiety is the No. 1 mental health issue.

· Cyberbullying and harassment are common.

Practical Tools for Dads

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or wondering how to help your kids build emotional resilience, start with these steps:

1. Know the red flags.
Sleep disturbances, changes in food intake, mood shifts, and avoidance of friends are all signs dads can look for that indicate kids may be struggling with their mental health.

2. Stay calm-ish.
“You actually don’t have to feel calm to be calm.” – Dr. Williams

3. Initiate a pause or break.
Pausing for 10–90 seconds gives you a long enough break to make a wise decision, have calm-ish reactions, and keep you from saying things you may regret with your kids.

4. Emotional connection matters.
If we want emotionally resilient kids, we must be emotionally present with them. “It sounds squishy or soft… but it really is powerful.” – Dr. Williams.

Important Episode Timestamps
00:00 – 01:13 | Introducing Dr. Chinwé Williams
01:13 – 02:17 | A Personal Story of Panic Attacks
02:17 – 03:55 | The Power of Empathy
03:55 – 05:04 | Why Resilience Matters
05:04 – 09:04 | What’s Behind Rising Anxiety
09:04 – 12:31 | The Role of Social Media and Global Stressors
12:31 – 15:30 | Spotting Behavioral Red Flags
15:30 – 19:41 | Calm-ish Parenting and the Power of Pause
19:41 – 26:47 | Emotional Connection Over Perfection
26:47 – End | Pro Move: Ask your child, “What would be your best day ever?” Then start thinking of ways to make that happen and put it on the calendar.

All Pro Dad Resources:

Episode 86 – Kathleen Edelman: Learn and Leverage Your Kids’ Natural Wiring

We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!

Connect with Us:

Ted Lowe on LinkedIn

Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn

BJ Foster on LinkedIn

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

Get All Pro Dad merch!

EXTRAS:

Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)

Join 200,000+ other dads by subscribing to the All Pro Dad Play of the Day.
Get daily fatherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration straight to your inbox.

This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com.

Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.

Get great content for moms at iMOM.com