Larry Hagner – Be the First Man Your Kids Call When All Hell Breaks Loose
Your extraordinary marriage starts here: www.thedadedge.com/25questions
Today, in this week’s Friday Fatherly Fumbles, First Downs, and Field Goals, Larry tackles the crucial question every father faces: how to be the person your children turn to first with bad news. Through his unique two-part approach of “marathon and sprint,” he explains how our reactions to our children’s vulnerable moments become the deciding factor in whether they’ll trust us with future challenges.
The discussion focuses on transforming those critical moments when children share mistakes or difficulties, demonstrating how to shift from being a punitive figure to a trusted confidant. Larry shares practical strategies for responding to everything from poor grades to serious mistakes, emphasizing that our children’s willingness to be open with us in the future is shaped by how we handle their vulnerability today. Through personal stories and actionable advice, he shows how fathers can create an environment where children feel safe sharing anything, ultimately building stronger, more trusting parent-child relationships.
Larry’s Takeaways
- Praise kids’ courage to share difficulties.
- Ask questions to guide self-reflection.
- Create environment of psychological safety.
What You’ll Learn
00:00:00 – Introduction
00:00:34 – Avoiding Blame and Shame
00:01:16 – Marathon vs. Sprint Approach
00:01:58 – Daily Questions for Kids
00:02:29 – Encouraging Psychological Safety
00:03:10 – Handling Difficult News
00:04:02 – Effective Communication Strategies
00:05:04 – Curiosity Over Lecturing
00:06:07 – Guiding Kids to Self-Solution
00:07:09 – Reinforcing Positive Strategies
00:08:01 – Daily Conversations About Failure
00:08:54 – One-on-One Time with Kids
00:10:07 – Handling Unexpected Confessions
00:12:00 – Using Past Success as a Guide
00:13:24 – Celebrating Problem-Solving Success
Links
www.thedadedge.com/daddydaughter
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