(apologies for the late post, the Smiths had a travel nightmare!) We've got a three bears situation over here today! Are parents responsible for addressing their kids' "weird" attitudes and behavior? And if so, how do we distinguish between what might be "weird" but flexible and what traits may be an innate facet of the person? Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com
A listener writes in looking for advice on approaching their relationship with a parent when the parent won't accept them for who they are. After exploring if the listener could have offered more in helping their parent understand, the dads reflect on a tough question - how do we know when it's time to let go of relationships that are hurting us? Then, in the patron-only story, Eli shares a heartwarming and grateful observation. Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com
The dads receive a question from a listener who has gone through a divorce and is ready to jump back into the dating scene, but they don't know what to do, where to turn, or maybe even...how to flirt. Are you Team Coffee or Team Dinner Date? Then, ONLY patrons get to hear a funny Lydia story about dating and the apps (Lydia approves its inclusion). Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com
Tom needs some more "old man yells at clouds" time to go off about the first few days of school for his kids. The dads get into it and talk school apps, communication, miscommunication, and various other logistics that seem to be purposely set up to be more complicated than they have to be. Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com
Tom kicks the show off with a pretty major sleep update that no one saw coming! Then, the dads chat about a parenting style that has been dubbed "F*** Around and Find Out" (FAFO) parenting. What makes this style unique, or is this just a rebranding of another approach? What kind of crazy hot take is Eli going to come in with this time? Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com
The dads reflect on insecurity in relationships through their formative years and the impact it has had on future romantic relationships, friendships, and others. How do you navigate relationships in a healthy way, and break those internal expectations, if you grew up always wondering if your parents were mad at you, or if they'll be there to support you when you've made a mistake? Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com
Tom's got a kid kunundrum to talk about. What if our kids want to hang out with their older sibling's friend group? Is that totally cool or just an opportunity for trouble?
This episode has two of the wildest takes two of the Dads have ever heard from the third. About what, you ask? You may have seen a viral "libido equation" make its rounds on the internet, explaining how new moms might evaluate if they're up for engaging in sexual activities with their partner. The dudes break it all down, and I really don't want to say much else and potentially spoil any piece of this. Here we go! Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com
After a discussion about simulation theory for some reason, Tom talks about having listened to a podcast about people falling in love with AI bots. What's the deal there? Is that a real relationship? Is the AI coming for our kids? Then for patrons only, instead of a parenting story, the dads discuss whether or not having an AI girlfriend would be cheating.
Buckle up and secure those tray tables in the upright and locked position. We get the Plane-ageddon scoop from Eli to kick off today's episode, and then the dads dig into an email from a listener struggling with balancing their mental health treatment and showing up as a parent in the way they expect. And then, how can we embrace the understanding that parenting will always inherently be imperfect and alleviate the guilt we carry when we aren't the kind of parent we've decided we should be? Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com
After an extended introduction exploring at what age kids should be allowed unsupervised time in crowded locations and some of the tools that might help ease parent anxiety in those scenarios, the dads shift focus to discuss the act of location sharing with significant others. Is there ever a reason to not do that? I mean, that isn't cheating? Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com
On this episode, the dads tackle a complicated listener quandary...so complicated in fact that Thomas can't keep the people or their relationships straight. What do we owe our parents and other adults in our lives to help them navigate challenging situations with our brothers and sisters? Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com
Hurry! You don't want to be the only dad on the block without our Kevlar-coated tongs for barbecue season! Stick those babies in your military-grade holster and be the ULTIMATE Man of the Grill. Available only in onyx black or camo. The dads discuss the tactical/survivalist goods industry. How are they marketed and, more importantly, does it work on any of them? Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com
WELL LOOK WHO DECIDED TO SHOW UP TO WORK. The dads take on a discussion about accountability and Eli has a TikTok video of a way to frame how we decide whether or not someone should be accountable for the actions they've done that hurt us. Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com This content is CAN credentialed, which means you can report instances of harassment, abuse, or other harm on their hotline at (617) 249-4255, or on their website atcreatoraccountabilitynetwork.org.
Tom continues to be a failure as a podcast host and father, so the non-monogamous dads of the group decided it was the perfect time to answer a couple of listener questions about polyamory. And it wouldn't be a proper poly episode without taking this Couple to a Throuple: Lydia's here, too! Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com This content is CAN credentialed, which means you can report instances of harassment, abuse, or other harm on their hotline at (617) 249-4255, or on their website at creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org.
Two of the three dads are here - quick, make a guess before you press play! They're joined by a guest for some podcast potpourri: some current kid challenges, Father's Day, and an irritating character that has taken over one of the households. Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com This content is CAN credentialed, which means you can report instances of harassment, abuse, or other harm on their hotline at (617) 249-4255, or on their website at creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org.
Thomas stumbled on an article called "The Missing Missing Reasons." It explores Estranged Parents online forums and points out a strikingly consistent theme, and it is as hilarious as it is infuriating. Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com This content is CAN credentialed, which means you can report instances of harassment, abuse, or other harm on their hotline at (617) 249-4255, or on their website at creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org.
The school year is officially over, but will the Dads Have A Great Summer? Is this a Three Bears (TM) situation? Then, in the story JUST FOR PATRONS, Eli recounts Max's absolutely adorable preschool graduation ceremony. Will there be a 4-year old valedictorian who isn't afraid of calling out racial injustice like at Finn's high school graduation? How far away did Eli have to park? Only patrons can seek these answers. Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com This content is CAN credentialed, which means you can report instances of harassment, abuse, or other harm on their hotline at (617) 249-4255, or on their website at creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org.
We've got a very focused topic today because our dear Tom has some huge non-neck related news to share! It's like the 2nd or 3rd good news Tom has ever had! Then in the patron only story, Eli shares an emotional story about Max's birthday party. Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com This content is CAN credentialed, which means you can report instances of harassment, abuse, or other harm on their hotline at (617) 249-4255, or on their website at creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org.
Oh boy, this is a big and important conversation all sparked by a listener email. That's right - you can launch incredible conversations like this one by sending your questions to our email (see below)! Today, the dads talk joy/lack of joy in parenting, and understanding that "just" loving our kids is not usually enough to fix when our kids go through something tough. Lots of real talk in this one; don't miss it! Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email thedads@dearolddads.com This content is CAN credentialed, which means you can report instances of harassment, abuse, or other harm on their hotline at (617) 249-4255, or on their website at creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org.
Matthew Cregg
Tom, It does say something about you how Donovan (even though had to be drugged to tell you about it) had delt with a potentially toxic situation and got himself out of it all on his own. You and his mother raised him to be able to handle that situation by himself in the first place. Kids will have these secrets. And if you do find out about them, be glad that you gave them enough to handle it on their own
Matthew Cregg
Uvalde was an absolute failure of an active shooter response. In my opinion, the absolute best way to defend against something like a school shooter is immediate armed resistance. Police response is minutes when you need them in seconds. Allow teachers WHO ARE WILLING to carry on school property. You can't guarantee every schools district will have a school resource officer but you can guarantee there are plenty of teachers. If they're willing to use lunch trays, they can easily use a firearm.
Matthew Cregg
the thing about cheating is there's no remaining physical scar, but the pain is real and stays with you. at least with getting stabbed the pain is somewhat temporary and it leaves a cool looking scar.
Les Hollenbeck
I've never gotten an auto ad, NW Iowa.
The Devangelicals
Tom Curry, Thomas Smith, and Eli Bosnick compliment each other far better than I even expected. The introspection these loveable chuckleheads inspire will undoubtedly help me to refine my tactics on the constantly evolving adventure of parenting. Thanks for everything you guys do! My serious inquiry is only how the hell I'm going to complete my puzzle in a thunderstorm while visiting the most glorious of glory holes?