Club Dadvice - Where dads level up to raise world-class kids

The three real reasons your kid isn't doing what you asked (and only one is defiance)

You've asked them to clean their room for the tenth time and still, nothing. Before you assume it's just blatant rebellion, consider this: there are actually three distinct reasons for disobedience. Understanding the difference between 'won't', 'shan't', and 'can't' will completely change how you respond, and probably save your sanity.

Expert Technique Timeless Preschooler (3-5 years),School Age (5-11 years),Teenager (13-18 years),Toddler (1-3 years),Tween (11-13 years)

It's a classic parenting frustration: you give a clear instruction, and it's met with... well, nothing. It's easy to jump to the conclusion that your child is being deliberately defiant. But host Aaro...

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The dad's ultimate role: be the captain of the ship

When your child is having a meltdown, it can feel like your own ship is about to capsize in the storm. But according to parenting expert Susan Stiffelman, our most powerful role in those moments is to be the calm, steady captain. A rather brilliant metaphor for dads who want to be the anchor their family can rely on, no matter how choppy the waters get.

Expert Technique Timeless Preschooler (3-5 years),School Age (5-11 years),Toddler (1-3 years),Tween (11-13 years)

For a highly sensitive child, the world can feel overwhelming. Their feelings are bigger, their reactions are stronger, and they look to us, their parents, to know if they're safe. This is where the '...

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You can't stop the feeling, but you can steer the ship

It's a common misconception that we should be able to control our emotions from the get-go. Psychologist Ethan Kross sets the record straight: the initial emotional spark is automatic. The real superpower lies in what you do *after* it's been triggered. It's less about being a gatekeeper and more about being a skilled emotional navigator.

Expert Technique Timeless All Ages

Ever beat yourself up for feeling angry, anxious, or frustrated in a parenting moment? According to emotion expert Ethan Kross, you're focusing on the wrong thing. He makes a crucial distinction that ...

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The paradox of parenting: you must find your own joy to help their struggle

It feels counterintuitive, even a bit wrong, to seek out joy when your child is in the midst of a crisis. But host Natasha Daniels argues it's not just okay, it's absolutely essential. If you're running on empty, you have nothing left to give, making those tough moments even tougher.

Problem Solution Urgent All Ages

Parenting a child with anxiety or OCD can feel like a relentless, all-consuming job. When your child is struggling, every ounce of your energy goes into supporting them. But what about you? Host Natas...

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The real reason your teen is acting like a moody stranger

It turns out that whole adolescent pulling-away thing isn't personal, it's purposeful. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Matt Richtel explains that teenagers are biologically programmed to do one vital job: integrate everything you've taught them with everything they need to figure out for themselves. Rather brilliant, actually.

Aha Moment Timeless Teenager (13-18 years),Tween (11-13 years)

Feeling like your teenager has been replaced by a moody, secretive stranger? It’s a classic parenting predicament, but according to journalist Matt Richtel, it’s not something to take personally. ...

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When your daughter's sass turns scary: a dad's guide to the 180-degree mood swing

One minute she's your sweet little girl, the next she's threatening to poke your eyes out with a stick. Sound familiar? This isn't just a phase, it's a complex cocktail of hormones, perfectionism, and overstimulation. Here's a rather brilliant, science-backed way to handle those explosive moments without losing your cool (or your eyesight).

Problem Solution Urgent School Age (5-11 years),Tween (11-13 years)

A listener wrote in with a rather relatable, if slightly terrifying, problem: their lovely 10-year-old daughter turns into a tiny rage monster at the slightest hint of disappointment or being wrong. W...

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The lazy genius way: how to finally stop trying to do it all

Feeling like you're constantly juggling a dozen flaming torches, and dropping most of them? You're not alone. Kendra Adachi, the rather brilliant 'Lazy Genius', has a simple mantra that could change everything. It's about being a genius where it counts, and giving yourself permission to be gloriously lazy about the rest. A proper game-changer for overwhelmed dads.

Expert Technique Timeless All Ages

The core principle of the Lazy Genius approach is refreshingly simple: **be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don't.** It sounds obvious, but let's be honest, how o...

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You're Not Obligated to Care for a Parent Who Wasn't There for You

Right then. What happens when the parent who was never there for you suddenly turns up, old, ill, and in need of help? It’s a classic guilt-trip waiting to happen. Dr. Laura serves up a rather bracing, but utterly necessary, dose of reality on the subject of obligation. Turns out, you don't get a pass for being a rubbish parent just because you got old. Quite the relief, actually.

Problem Solution Timeless All Ages,Young Adult (18+ years)

A caller, Christie, shares her story of a father who was largely absent after divorcing her mother when she was 12. He 'basically divorced me too,' she explains, leaving her to beg for his time. Now, ...

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The 'Brothers' Hug': A Genius Hack for Ending Sibling Squabbles

Sibling fights. They're the soundtrack to many a family home. But author Justin Whitmel Earley has a rather brilliant, and physically simple, technique for turning conflict into connection: a mandatory hug that lasts until both kids are smiling. It sounds mad, but honestly, it's genius.

Expert Technique Timeless Preschooler (3-5 years),School Age (5-11 years),Tween (11-13 years)

When your kids are at each other's throats, the last thing you'd think to do is force them into a hug. Yet, that's exactly the advice from Justin Whitmel Earley, author and dad of four boys. He calls ...

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Ziggy Marley's Secret to Calmer Bedtimes? Turn It Into a Jam Session.

Struggling with bedtime battles? Take a leaf out of Ziggy Marley's book. The Grammy-winning artist and dad of seven reveals his rather brilliant method for getting his kids ready for bed: he turns mundane routines into catchy jingles. It's a simple, joyful way to transform a nightly chore into a moment of connection.

Practical Tip Timeless Preschooler (3-5 years),School Age (5-11 years),Toddler (1-3 years)

For many dads, the bedtime routine can feel like a nightly negotiation with a tiny, sleep-averse dictator. But what if you could change the entire mood with a simple trick? In a delightful interview, ...

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How Shrinky Dinks Healed a Mother's Rage and Transformed Her Family Life

A mother, struggling with deep-seated anger from her childhood, followed a piece of advice to channel her feelings into art. Her choice? The humble Shrinky Dink. The result was a remarkable transformation, not just in her mood, but in every aspect of her family life. It's a rather brilliant reminder that sometimes the simplest creative acts can have the most profound impact.

Heartwarming Story Timeless All Ages

A caller named Bridget shared a powerful story about taking Dr. Laura's advice to heart. Haunted by rage from a difficult childhood, she was finding it hard to maintain positive habits and goals. The ...

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The 10-Second Trick for When 'Boundary Guilt' Strikes

You've done the hard work of setting a healthy boundary, but now the guilt is creeping in. What to do? Dr. Laura’s advice is pure gold and ridiculously simple. Redirect that feeling immediately into the positive habit that’s giving you strength. Feeling sad about Mum? Grab a Shrinky Dink. It’s about replacing a destructive thought pattern with a creative, healing action.

Practical Tip Timeless All Ages

After establishing that it was healthy for her to step back from her mother's care, the caller, Bridget, asked a crucial question: "When my sadness comes up, what should I do?" Dr. Laura's response wa...

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