What type of dad are you?

Are you a silly dad? Or a serious dad? Or somewhere in between?

For the longest time I was a serious dad. I don’t really know why, but for some reason I had all these ideas of what kids were supposed to be like, and how they were supposed to behave. Must have been too many shows with perfect kids….because my kids certainly weren’t!

I think that’s what made me so serious. My expectations were way off. 

The other part probably had to do with the fact I’ve never been a joke teller or funny guy. I was about performance and improvement. Any chance you might be like that as a dad?

Admit it. There’s part of you that looks at silly parents and thinks, “I’ll never act like that – they look ridiculous!”

That’s what I thought.

But then I learned how much kids love it when parents are silly. My kids laughed harder and with more joy than ever when something totally ridiculous happened. As I watched these situations repeat themselves over and over, the light bulb finally went off. I had to be more silly.

Even still, I struggled to learn how to apply it. Work, my own fitness goals, managing finances, all while learning how to parent twins, plus the lack of sleep all added up to a very serious dad. Stuff had to get done – that was no joking matter!

I tried though, and it felt awkward as hell at times.

Even still, the results were worth it. Eventually I learned how to make faces, use crazy voices, contort my body awkwardly, or anything else that turned a previously serious response into something fun. The kids loved it. I loved it. And that’s when the magic started to happen. 

How are you doing with your connecting journey? Has there been something that clicked for you in this series of articles so far? I hope the stories and insights (mostly from my mistakes) have given you hope that it's never to late to invest in your relationships with the people who matter most.

If you haven’t yet, I want to encourage you to get started today. You’ll never regret making the decision to begin connecting more with your family. They need you. Your influence and love has the power to propel them farther than anything else in life.

Remember dads, you were made for this.

If you're a dad who wants to show up at your best - especially for your family, then I invite you to enroll in Developing the Father Within You. This 10 week program helps dads take back control and reach their goals.

About Drew Soleyn & Connected Dads

I’m the Founder of Connected Dads, Director of Dad Central Ontario, and a Career Coach at the Queen's Smith School of Business. As an ICF certified coach and John Maxwell Team Coach, Trainer & Speaker, I help struggling dads show up at their best for the people who matter most.

I created Connected Dads because I believe the actions dads take in their family will shape the future. Because involved and healthy dads create healthier and happier kids, the major challenges society faces can be eliminated with involved, responsible and devoted dads.

The problem is many dads are burned out and not available (or choose not) to invest in their kids. They also have nowhere to turn for support. The results are a continued cycle of 'fatherless' kids in our society.

But I also know what it feels like to be stretched thin all the time. That’s why Connected Dads exists: to bring dads together and build leadership capacity, productivity, and resilience in the face of unrelenting pressures. Ultimately, our system helps men win at home and in the rest of their lives, while tackling the larger societal challenge of fatherlessness.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Book a coaching call, sign up for an accelerator group or join our free private Facebook group

Step 2: Connect with other dads on the journey, build resilience and transform your leadership capacity

Step 3: Show up at your best for the people who matter most

Our coaching, small group program and community strengthens and supports dads on the journey. Based on the proven methodology of John C. Maxwell (#1 New York Times bestselling author, named most influential leadership expert in the world by Business Insider and Inc. Magazine) our process immediately gives dads the tools and systems to thrive. Inside you’ll find a community that encourages, supports, and challenges you to become the dad you wished you had.

Every day, I see dads trade pain for purpose. Join us today so you can stop struggling and start connecting.

• Book a free 30 minute coaching call by visiting the Connected Dads website.
• Join the Connected Dads community on Facebook.
• Follow Connected Dads on Instagram.