Positively Dad

Reading with your young kids is super important and most parents know that. What you talk about while reading may be just as important. The questions you ask your kids can have a big impact on how they think and it turns out most parents could ask better ones. That's according to a study from The Ohio State University. We talked with Dr. Laura Justice about it and found some great types of questions that can really get our kids thinking.

Jovan McNeill's dad wasn't around when he was a kid. He says not having his father involved in his life created some challenges - challenges he's is determined to keep other kids from having. That's why he started Cloud Nine Outdoors, an organization to help kids without active fathers. That mission is helping him as he starts his own journey as a dad. We talk about what it means to be a involved father and how we can all make a difference.

The new school year is here and each one brings some excitement and challenges. Our goal is simple, to create little people who become amazing adults. So how can parents, teachers and schools partner to make it happen? It's an important conversation in a world of test scores, school and teacher assessments and today's busy families. We talked with Dave Schmittou, 2018 College Educator of the Year how we can all support each other and create a positive environment for our kids.

The balance between family and work is a challenge for so many and Dr. Scott Behson is making it his mission to help. As a father, he knows the battle and that's why he wrote The Working Dad's Survival Guide. Dr. Behson joined us for a Dad Talk episode to share what he's learned about making it work.

Most parents say their teens aren't ready for the real world. That's what a study from the University of Michigan found. And parents may be to blame. What can we do better? How can we help our kids be ready to be on their own? This week we talk about some things you can do now, with kids of any age, to prepare them for adulthood.

Creating a balance between work and life can be tough. It's so tough that it can be common for business owners and entrepreneurs to give up -- even if the business is successful. That's according to a study from Ball State University. This week we talk with the authors about it and what you can do to balance between work and family.

Marcus Tankard is a dad of three boys. He loves spending time with each of them and is truly involved in his life. He says it's proof you can be a great dad even if yours was missing. Marcus and his dad have a great relationship now, one that even made it to a TV on a show called Thicker Than Water on Bravo. He talks with us about what he's learned as a father and how he is purposeful about connecting with his kids and his wife.

Every parent hopes their kids will grow up and be successful adults. What if you could tell early on if they had a good chance to do that or not? Well, a 30 year study from Penn State says you may. It's tracked over 700 people since the age of five and it's found some interesting things. We talk with an author of the study, Dr. Mark Greenberg, this week and he says there is a connection between how well a kindergartner gets along with others and their ability to succeed later in life. It's an eye opening episode that every parent should hear.

It's a legendary scene in a classic movie... when Ray Kinsella meets his dad in Field of Dreams. Dwier Brown plays Ray's dad, John Kinsella, in the movie and that role changed his life. It led him to write a book If You Build It... A Book about Fathers, Fate and Field of Dreams where he shares the story of his father and the stories of so many others he's met. It's a powerful conversation about the relationship between a father and his children.    

Empathy is hard so most people don't put forth the effort. That's what a study from Penn State shows. Think about it... we'd rather not connect with others because it my be "too emotionally draining." Our world could use more empathy, not less, so we invited the author of the study to join us for an episode. Dr. Daryl Cameron talks about what it means to have empathy, why it's important and how we can teach our children to have empathy toward others.

Kenny "Clutch" is a dad of four and his world changed when doctors told him that his youngest son, Kristian, had cancer. Kenny shares how they stayed positive and focused while Kristian was in the hospital. He son is now cancer free and Kenny is sharing with the world how they too can battle adversity.

Just a few years ago, Lance and Brandy Salazar were on the brink of divorce. They lost touch in their marriage and were ready to go their separate ways. Just before they were going to call it quits, they decided to give it one last shot. Five years later their marriage is the best it's ever been and they want that for you too. This week we talk with Lance and Brandy about their story, how their relationship has changed and how it's impacting their family. We'll also talk about the book they wrote earlier this year with author Hal Elrod, The Miracle Morning for Couples.

When David Milender's son was born he asked his employer for his 12 weeks off that the Family Medical Leave Act allows. They said he didn't qualify because he's a dad! He helped them realize that's not true and he got his 12 unpaid weeks at home. He truly enjoyed his time at home and also thinks we can do better when it comes to time off for a growing family.

This year more than 3.7 American children will begin 6th grade. The move from elementary to middle school comes with all sorts of challenges. Grades often drop and disciplinary issues often jump. A new study from the University of Wisconsin says there is a simple way to make the transition much easier for these kids.

To say Micah Shrewsberry is busy would be an understatement. He coached NCAA and NBA basketball for 20 years. He is joining the staff at Purdue University after spending the last six years with the Boston Celtics. All this while he and his wife raise their four children. Micah joined us for a Dad Talk on family, teams and character.