Summer vacation is officially here across the USA. Are you going crazy yet? Have any plans on how to make this summer a great experience for you and your kids, and further their development into responsible, mature human beings? Take a listen!Bởi Mark Foster

Have fidget spinners taken over you life? Are you worried your kid is going to choke to death? Have you read the latest urgent report on Facebook regarding the danger of those evil things? Let's talk about that today...Bởi Mark Foster

For every action, there is an equal an opposite reaction. Sometimes that reaction is a consequence we would prefer to avoid. When our children are forced to face the consequences of their poor choices, they will quickly learn to modify their behavior to avoid those consequences. Parents who threaten consequences, but do not follow through, or paren…

It seems all we hear about today is the subject of toleration. Does toleration mean acceptance? Does it mean endorsement? Does it mean empowerment? We'll talk about that. And while we are on the subject, we will talk about the mistake of living in a virtual world where the only voices we allow in are the ones who affirm us, but never correct or cha…

Teaching our kids to be financially responsible is a difficult task, but one that dads should take seriously. Maybe you made some mistakes when you were younger. Maybe you are dealing with those mistakes still today. If so, then you are uniquely qualified to help your kids avoid the same mistakes. In this episode I talk about the way my wife and I …

It is 2017, and the credit card bills should start rolling in any day now! If you are like so many people over the Christmas and New Years holidays, you spent more money than you could afford. Now it is time to pay the piper. 2017 Doesn't have to go the same way for you. In this episode I talk to you about my own journey of financial responsibility…

Do you ever feel like you are trapped buying gifts that don't mean anything, for people who won't appreciate them, and won't remember them? Do you dread the credit card bills that will come in January? Even when buying gifts for our kids, the idea of a merry "little" Christmas is altogether a thing of the past. It doesn't have to be! In this week's…

As much as I wish we could, I don't think it is possible to eliminate all the bullies from this world. This is especially true since the definition of bullying is getting larger all the time! I have very little control over the actions of other people. I can't follow my kids around for their entire lives to protect them from every adversity. What I…

Bullying is a problem. It has existed for a long time, and it is not going to go away. As parents we are tasked with helping our kids deal with this problem in their lives. The internet has made the situation worse. Children with unsupervised access to the internet and social media are experiencing bullying in their very own homes! What can parents…

Ever had one of those days? One of those days when you really don't like your kids? Every feel like you are the only one who feels that way? YOU'RE NOT! In today's episode we talk about dealing with difficult kids. We've all got them. I'll talk about my own struggles, and try to give you some encouragement along the way.…

In this special Thanksgiving Day episode, we talk turkey. Actually we talk about all things food related. We also discuss some of the traditions our family enjoys each Thanksgiving. Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Do you have a preference? I'll give you mine. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!Bởi Mark Foster

Have you ever wanted to raise your child to block traffic, destroy other people's property, and need therapy when things don't go their way? Probably not. In this week's episode, we take a somewhat tongue in cheek approach to raising our kids to be better than that. We look at things that parents can do, even unintentionally, that promote bad behav…

Can today's politically correct mindset influence how we parent our children? Are their things we can say or do, in the hopes of following popular teaching, that can actually handicap our children later in life? How can I make sure that I am not falling for the politically correct pressures on me as a parent? All this an more in this weeks episode.…

What kind of relationships do you want your kids to have? You might be surprised to find out that their relationships will look very much like the ones we model for them in every day life. Does that scare you? Want to know how to model better relationships for your own kids? In this week's episode we talk about that. Don't miss it!…

Sometimes it can be easy to feel guilty for not being able to provide the things for our children that they see other children receiving. But what if you could give them everything they want? Would it be right? Is it possible that giving them less, could actually be giving them more? We'll talk about that in today's episode.…

Are there any real men left? The answer is yes. There are. The problem is that they have been pushed out of society. It seems that one of the only places we allow real men is in the movies we watch. Maybe that is because movies are safe. The men in those movies and television shows can't really hurt us. We can sit on our couches and imagine ourselv…

With the Presidential election in full countdown mode, the art of deception is on display. Why does it seem that the truth doesn't even matter anymore? It really seems like both candidates are trying to lie their way into office. While I can't do anything about that in reality, I can focus on being a truthful individual in my own life. I can provid…

After a year away, the How to Be a Dad Today podcast is back with brand new episodes! Dealing With Change deals with the changes that Mark and his family have been going through since his last episode in 2015. Also some changes coming to the website and podcast. You won't want to miss the new "My Memories" segment.…

This week's episode is very special in that I am recording and releasing the episode from Poland, where we are completing an international adoption! Adoption is a wonderful adventure, but it has its challenges. Among the greatest, when it comes to international adoption is the challenge of communication. Learning to speak their language with things…

In this short Father's Day episode, I wanted to take just a little while and relate to the listeners, some of the most important lessons I learned from my dad. I hope you enjoy hearing a little bit about the man who was and is instrumental in my life. My hope is that on this Father's Day you will have similar memories from your Dad. If that is not …

In this episode we continue the discussion of mentors. We will look at the benefit to those who are mentored, as well as to those doing the mentoring. Also in this episode, we will take a look at a recent Huffington Post article regarding supposed communication mistakes parents make with their kids. For more information go to our website at www.how…

There is a great need for mentors in today's world. No matter what country your live in, mentoring is an essential part of growing and becoming the person you want to be. As a Dad, my number one responsibility is to be a mentor in the lives of my children. But what is a mentor? Who should be a mentor? Do I still need a mentor in my own life? Where …

With summer break just around the corner, we need to get a game plan, and get one quickly! Episode 50 is here to offer you some tips, and ideas for how to maintain your sanity when the inmates let loose! Also, "Free Range Parenting:" have you heard of it? In this episode Mark gives you an overview of the book written by Lorene Skenazy, and offers h…

Do you speak more than one language? What about the language of love? Did you know that there may be more than one love language, and that there is a good chance your kids all speak a different one? In this episode I review "The 5 Love Languages of Children" by Dr. Gary Chapman and Dr. Ross Campbell. In the book, the popular "5 Love Languages" idea…

Sometimes its nice just to sit down with another dad and talk about the ups and downs of parenting, and being a dad in general. In this episode I sit down in studio with my friend, Andy Sharpeta, and talk about his experience when it comes to being a dad. Andy has the unique experience of being on the road nearly every week of the year with his kid…

Should I push my beliefs on my children? Do I have any right to try an influence what they do, or what they believe? Should I just let them make up their own mind about the subjects that are the most important to them? These questions and more in today's episode on influence.Bởi Mark Foster

Have you ever been left home alone with the kids while your wife goes out for the evening, or even away for several days? Have you experienced the joys of preparing breakfast lunch and dinner for all those hungery mouths? How about laundry, homework, and bedtime routines? In this episode we discuss how to not only survive, but thrive when left home…

Respect doesn't mean what it used to. We are living in a culture where respect for the individual is almost gone, and where respecting your elders is something reserved for the Leave it to Beaver re-runs. Well...it doesn't have to be! In this episode we are going to talk about the need for respect, and some things we can do to increase our own atti…

Every New Year people all over the world make resolutions. Most will not see them through. Still, this year, I want to encourage dads everywhere to get rid of that flab and be the best dad they can be. I am not just talking about physical fat. I am also talking about the flabby dad muscles some of us have developed. Are you up for the challenge of …

Do Dads really matter? Can families and children survive without them? Could it be that those in society that seek to minimize the importance of dads are actually correct? NOPE! They are wrong. In this episode I give you three areas in which dads matter to their kids. Resources Mentioned in This Episode The Fatherless Generation Website (Statistics…

Dealing with death may be the hardest thing we are called to do in this life. As husbands and dads, we are called upon to offer strength to those in our care who are grieving. Often this leaves us wondering who will be strong for us. This episode deals with this difficult subject and offers some advice for how to help your kids face the death of a …

Nurture: It's not for sissies. If you are wondering how in the world something like nurture could possibly be for men to take seriously, then you HAVE to listen to this episode. I think you might be suprised. If you are not nurturing your kids...you aren't being a manly dad!Bởi Mark Foster

EPISODE 40!!!! As we pass the milestone of our 40th episode I am also celebrating my 34th birthday! To celebrate, I am releasing an episode unlike any other episode I have produced here on the podcast. I hope you enjoy it! In today's episode I interview three special guests. There names are: Brian Bruce Joe I think you are really going to enjoy hea…

I am a dad. That means I am also a man. Manhood and masculinity is something that is vanishing in our world today. In this episode I get a little passionate about the need for masculinity in men and boys.Bởi Mark Foster

Have you ever been talking to your kids and felt like your weren't getting through? Have you ever seen that blank look that says..."I am looking at you, but I ain't hearin you..."? Well, if you ever wanted to communicate more effectively with your kids, this episode is for you. If you have any other ideas, I would love to have you communicate by go…

When you were growing up, did your family have a regular dinner time? Today is seems that family dinner has become a lost art. Families no longer sit down together and eat, talk and spend time together. In this episode I offer some ideas for strengthening or establishing your own family dinner routine. Hopefully it encourages you, and I know that y…

Have you ever gotten to that stage in your kid's lives when they really push back against your leadership? Do you remember the day you realized that they really believed they knew better than you? If you haven't gotten there yet...YOU WILL! In this episode I share a little bit about the ways I have dealt with this situation in my own family, and ho…

Okay, bedtime can be pretty stressful. Establishing a bedtime routine is easier said than done. With bathtime, homework, and busy schedules, is having a set bedtime routine even a possibility? YES! You can bring sanity back into your life. You can get your kids in bed without starting WWIII. In this episode I give you some tips on how.…

Our kids have recently been going through a transition in which they have begun becoming aware of the times when my wife and I are not getting along. If this hasn't happened to you yet, it will. How do you deal with personal conflicts between you and your spouse? What do you do when the kids ask about it? Do you lie? Do you pretend it doesn't happe…

Recently a reviewer left a kind rating and a review which included an honest disagreement with something said in a previous episode. I appreciated their honestly and class, and wanted to address their statements, and share with you the importance of growing as a dad. If we are growing, we should be learning. If we are learning, we will admit that t…

Don't you sometimes wish you could have more time with your kids? Being a dad is one of the most important things we can ever do. So not having a lot of time to invest in the lives of our kids is a challenge. How can we be the best dads we can be when we only have a few hours a week to invest? For the busy dad...and that's most of us, this is the b…

Have you ever heard of a deadbeat dad? Have you ever wondered if you might be one? If you think that a deadbeat dad is simply someone who doesn't pay his child support, then you might be suprised. Being a dad is no easy task, and it is far easier to neglect your duty than to fulfill it. This episode will challenge you to avoid the stigma of being a…

I want my daughter to be feminine, but not a feminist. There is a difference. As a Dad I believe that I am the most important man in my daughter's life and the one who is entrusted to guide her to become the woman she was meant to be. Raising a feminine daughter may not be popular in this culture, but it is the task I have been called to. Don't kno…

This is a much shorter episode than I have put out as yet, but I think it is a good one. Do you ever wish being a dad came with a warning label? Well, after a particlarly trying few days at my house, I recorded this episode to help remind me why I do what I do. If you are a dad that is at the end of his rope, you may find encouragement here as well…

Many families face the unique challenge or raising a special needs child. These precious children are a blessing, but some days they can really stretch you as a parent and an individual. In today's episode I talk to Craig Stewart. He and his wife Paige, recently adopted a little girl from Bulgaria. Craig talks about their decision and the challenge…

Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner here in the US. If you are looking for some way to get them most of out of your holidays this year, then this episode might offer you just the boost you need!Bởi Mark Foster

Do you believe in monitoring your children's activity on the internet? How do you feel about accountability? There is no doubt that the internet is a powerful tool...for good and evil. Knowing what your children are involved in is not only good parenting, but may save them a tremendous amount of heartach later in life. In this episode I interview L…

Yep, the description says it all. In this episode I talk about the parenting lessons I have learned from my recent efforts to ride a unicycle. You just have to listen...Bởi Mark Foster

Wow! What a touchy subject we are tackling this week! After 23 episodes I am going to wade into the topic of discipline...although not in the way you might expect. I want to offer some thoughts on the mentality behind discipline and what it means to discipline. Is discipline simply punishment? What is the purpose for discipline anyway? What if my s…

Have you ever heard of the prefrontal cortex? Did you know you child may be walking around with one that is not yet fully developed? BBC News Magazine says UK psychologists now saying adulthood may not start until as late as 25. Who knew? How can we prepare our kids for an adult world if we are not even sure when they physically, emotionally and pr…