Summer is a time for travel and likely involves flying with kids (article in the New York Times). When it comes to crying babies, I always say, let them cry it out. Babies and kids are more sensitive to air pressure than adults during takeoff and landing and little ears sometimes have to bear very strong pain. Having a pacifier or a milk bottle nearby and ready is often the only thing you can do, other than passing him or her over to mom. As a frequent flyer, I feel the pain of fellow travelers hoping to sleep, read or work, but as a dad, my only real sympathy goes to the kids and to the moms and dads traveling with them. Traveling with kids is never easy, no matter how much you love them, but it shouldn’t be made any harder by the stares and comments of other travelers, who, of course, were babies once themselves. Of course, none of this sympathy holds true when I catch junior committing the only real egregious sin of airplane travel: kicking my seat. If mom and dad don’t stop him after he does it once, you have every right to coldly stare at the parents and even to ask them to be more considerate parents. Bad etiquette in children is never the fault of the child.
Great Dad Talks is a series of conversations with experts on all aspects of the family adventure. With the perspective that “dads don’t always think like moms,” our mission is to support dad voices and our slightly different approaches to parenting. We’ll try to find solutions to every day challenges like getting kids off the couch and making STEM classes available for both boys and girls. But we’ll also tackle bigger issues when they come. The one main theme will be to support dads in the most important role of their lives that of being a great dad. Connect with us at greatdad.com and watch the video version of these podcasts at YouTube.com/greatdadnews
In this episode, Sean Dawson of Raising Men shares what he’s learned from interviewing many guests about masculinity, transmitting values, and raising kids with intention—especially with a son who has big energy in a culture that often tries to suppress boyhood. We explore the current “crisis of masculinity,” why it’s not a zero-sum game for boys and girls, and Sean’s framework of courage, character, and purpose. Sean reframes modern protection as creating emotional safety, compares performative strength to real strength, and explains how planning matters while staying flexible. He also shares how a friend’s tragic loss made him more intentional with his own son, and offers two core takeaways: give yourself grace and lead by modeling the man you want your kids to become.
Whether you’re a new dad or a seasoned father, you’ll find relatable stories, actionable tips, and plenty of wisdom in this conversation.
Check out Shaun’s website at raising.men
Visit these links and embark on the path to becoming the best parent you can be:
– GreatDad.com/coaching
– GreatDad.com/pq
– Gratitude course: bit.ly/3NMLDNC
50% off for podcast listeners with code PODCAST50
