Dad’s Storytelling Superpower!!! As dads, we’re constantly shaping our kids’ futures, whether we realize it or not. Every word, every action, every moment of presence (or absence) contributes to the story they’ll tell themselves about who they are and what they’re capable of. Recently, I had an enlightening chat with Max Shippee, an author, actor, and devoted father of three, about the power of storytelling in fatherhood. Let’s dive into how we can craft empowering narratives that will help our kids grow into confident, resilient adults.

Storytelling Superpower: The Stories We Tell Shape Our Reality

Have you ever stopped to think about the stories you tell yourself? The ones about who you are, what you’re capable of, and how the world works? These narratives aren’t just idle thoughts – they’re the foundation of our beliefs and actions. And guess what? We’re passing these stories on to our kids, whether we intend to or not.

Max shared a powerful insight: “Your brain will look for a story even if it doesn’t know what it is.” This means that if we’re not consciously crafting positive narratives for our kids, their brains will fill in the gaps – and not always in the most helpful ways.

As an actor Max, gave us a word of warning about the stories we tell ourselves, “Villains want everyone else to change—but none of them ever want to change themselves.” So be sure you listen to the story you are telling yourself to make sure you are on the right path.

Creating a Hero’s Journey for Your Child: Your Storytelling Superpower

So, how do we make sure we’re telling the right stories? Max suggests framing our kids’ lives as a hero’s journey. Here’s how:

Focus on Personal Growth

“Heroes generally will give up something they thought they wanted for the thing they really want,” Max explains. Encourage your kids to see challenges as opportunities for growth, not obstacles to happiness.

Embrace Discomfort

When your child feels nervous about trying something new, reframe it as a sign of impending growth. As Max puts it, “When you have that feeling, that means you’re about to grow.”

Aim for Something

Help your kids set goals or create visions for themselves. As Max says, “What are you aiming at? Do you even realize you’re not aiming?”

Storytelling Superpower: The Power of Dad’s Words

As fathers, our words carry immense weight. Max points out that there’s “something about the dad energy that is very like integrity and truth.” When we tell our kids they’re going to be alright, they believe it on a deep level.

This power comes with great responsibility. We need to be mindful of the stories we’re telling our kids about themselves. Are we building them up or inadvertently tearing them down?

One of the most impactful things Max shared about the power of Dad’s words was about always telling the truth, or at least not lying. This principle, inspired by Jordan Peterson’s work, has become a cornerstone in Max’s family:

“Sometimes there’s stuff you can’t say… but don’t say you’re fine, and don’t say they’re fine. You can say like, yeah, I’m having trouble with this, but I really can’t talk about it.”

This approach fosters trust, authenticity, and emotional intelligence in our families.

Balancing Act: The Mom and Dad Approach

While moms and dads both play crucial roles in a child’s development, our approaches often differ. Max shared a funny (and scientifically backed) example about bedtime routines:

“For the dads, the bedtime routine tends to be throw the kids around the bedroom as much as possible, thrash them around, wrestle them down, and then they go to sleep. And the mom routine tends to be, let’s calm down, let’s read a book.”

Turns out, both approaches have their merits! The wrestling helps burn off excess energy, while the calm routine helps settle the mind. It’s a perfect example of how moms and dads complement each other in parenting.

The Most Important Thing: Just Be There

When I asked Max for the most important message he wanted to share with dads, his response was beautifully simple and profound:

“You don’t have to get it right. You just have to be there. That’s really it… Just be there. That’s all you got to do.”

In our quest to be perfect dads, we often forget that our presence is the greatest gift we can give our children. More than advice, more than material things, our kids crave our time and attention.

Crafting Your Family’s Story

So, fellow dads, let’s be mindful of the stories we’re telling – to ourselves and to our kids. Let’s create narratives of growth, resilience, and love. Let’s be present, even when we don’t have all the answers. Because in the end, the story of your family is written in moments of connection, in shared laughter, in overcoming challenges together.

Remember, you’re not just raising kids – you’re helping to write the first chapters of their life stories. Make them tales of adventure, growth, and unconditional love. And most importantly, make sure you’re a main character in those stories. Just be there. That’s all you’ve got to do.

Dad’s Storytelling Superpower: A Challenge for Dads

I want to challenge you this week to pay attention to the stories you’re telling yourself about your role as a dad, your relationships, and your life. Are these stories serving you and your family? If not, how can you reframe them?

Remember, as Max said, “Story is way more important in our lives than we realize.” Let’s make sure we’re crafting stories that empower us, strengthen our relationships, and set a positive example for our kids.

What stories have you been telling yourself as a dad? How have they impacted your relationships? Share your thoughts in the comments – let’s learn from each other’s narratives!

TL:DR | Dad’s Storytelling Superpower: Crafting Empowering Narratives for Your Child’s Growth | TL:DR

1. Focus on Personal Growth

Encourage your child to see challenges as opportunities for growth, not obstacles to happiness.

2. Embrace Discomfort

Reframe your child’s nerves about trying new things as a sign of impending growth.

3. Aim for Something

Help your child set goals or create visions for themselves to work towards.

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