7 lessons I’m planning to share with my son
LESSON #1 - STAY CURIOUS
Have you ever watched a child explore the world? Their eyes light up with wonder, their minds bursting with questions. They dive headfirst into new experiences, unafraid to ask “why” or “how.”
But somewhere along the way, as we grow older, that spark of curiosity starts to dim. Maybe it’s the fear of looking foolish, or maybe life just gets too busy. Whatever the reason, we stop asking, stop wondering.
But I believe curiosity is one of the most powerful tools we have for growth. That’s why I’ll always remind my son: never stop being curious.
LESSON #2 - WORRY LESS
“We suffer more in imagination than in reality.” You’ve probably heard that quote from Seneca before—it pops up a lot, and for good reason. It hits home.
Even though we know it’s true, we still find ourselves caught up in all the “what-ifs.” We play out worst-case scenarios in our heads then stress about things that haven’t even happened (and probably never will). That constant worry, that fear, it holds us back—from trying new things, from taking risks, from becoming the version of ourselves we’re meant to be.
The mind can be tricky like that. But the more we recognize it, the better we get at choosing reality over imagination.
LESSON #3 - DON’T COMPARE
“Comparison is the thief of joy”—and yet here we are, scrolling through social media, comparing ourselves to strangers with six-packs, Lamborghinis, and suspiciously perfect skin.
It’s a fast track to feeling like you’re never doing enough, never successful enough… just never enough.
But here’s the thing: their life isn’t your life. So stop measuring your worth by someone else’s highlight reel. Forget the cars, the abs, the filters. Focus on you—and level up your own game.
LESSON #4 - HAVE FUN
Somewhere along the way, we forget how to have fun. Life gets serious—bills, deadlines, adulting—and suddenly joy feels like a luxury.
But remember when you were a kid? Everything was an adventure. Somewhere between snack time and taxes, we lost that.
Sure, not everything can be fun (looking at you, laundry), but adding a little fun into the routine changes everything. I blast music or a podcast while doing the dishes—instant vibe shift. Fun doesn’t have to be big; it just has to be intentional.
LESSON #5 - NEVER STOP LEARNING
Another thing we forget as we get older? To keep learning.
We get stuck in the routine—work, bills, keeping tiny humans alive—and forget that we need development too. Whether it’s learning something new, getting curious at work, or just reading something that isn’t a kids’ bedtime story, keeping your brain active matters. Growth isn’t just for the kids—it’s for dads, too.
LESSON #6 - FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL
As dads, we’ve got a lot on our plates—work, family, responsibilities, keeping the kids from turning the living room into a jungle gym.
And while it’s easy to stress about everything going on, most of it’s out of our control. What is in our control? How we show up.
Our attitude, our effort, our patience (even when stepping on LEGO bricks). Focus on that. The rest? Let it go, or at least don’t let it steal your peace. Dad mode is hard enough—don’t carry what you don’t have to.
LESSON #7 - DON’T GIVE TOO MANY F*CKS
One of the best lessons I’ve learned as a dad? Don’t give too many fcks. Seriously. If you try to please everyone, stress over every opinion, or aim for parenting perfection 24/7, you’ll burn out fast.
The truth is, most things just aren’t worth the mental energy. Spilled juice? Not a big deal. Judgment from that “perfect” Instagram parent? Who cares. Save your fcks for the stuff that actually matters—like showing up, being present, and loving your kids well. That’s the real win.