This is the All Pro Dad podcast, where in each episode dads of all ages dive into just one question. Today, we ask, “How can I avoid parenting to please others?”

Have you guys ever caught yourself parenting in a way that you thought
would please someone else or make you look like a dad who knows what he
is doing? Maybe it was your parents, or your friends, or even a total stranger.

Most people want to be liked. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, unless your desire
to get along with others comes at the expense of your child’s well-being. Ted
Lowe, Bobby Lewis, BJ Foster, and Jason Hood tackle the common problem of
parenting to please others in today’s episode.

Putting others ahead of our kids can lead to feelings of inadequacy and impact
your decision-making as a dad. Doing what’s right for your kids can be hard
sometimes, but your choices as a parent must mirror your values, even if it causes
friction with the people around you.

Today’s Pro Move: Take a moment to stop and ask, “Am I doing what’s best for my kids or doing what makes others feel best?”