The Difference a Dad Makes Ep. 3 - Building Confidence in Children

In this episode of The Difference a Dad Makes, hosts Brian Mattson and Dr. Jennifer L. Baker welcome Paul Baker, an experienced educator and former school principal, to discuss practical ways to build confidence in children.

Paul shares insights from his career in education and his experiences as a father, offering real-life examples of how responsibility, chores and perseverance help instill confidence in kids. The conversation explores the value of allowing children to experience challenges, learn from failures and develop independence through everyday tasks.

Whether you're a parent looking for strategies to encourage self-reliance or just hoping to understand how confidence is built over time, this episode provides meaningful stories, practical advice and engaging discussions on the importance of resilience in childhood.

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Episode Highlights

[01:49]
"I think you have to let them experience things. You have to require things of them. Jennifer and I were always very big on chores and it was a battle, but we stood together."

[04:52]
"We felt that it was good for children to sweat, to do something boring because there are a lot of things in life that are not fun but have to be done."

[08:11]
"We let our kids cook. There were some disasters but learning happens in those mistakes."

[14:09]
"The first time Jack buttoned his shirt by himself, he cried, Jessica cried and I cried. He worked hard for it and that was such a proud moment."

[15:39]
"There are winners and losers in competition. Not everything ends in a tie and not everybody gets a trophy. Understanding that is part of growing up."

[22:07]
"It's better to crash and burn in fourth grade than to wait until you're 18 and realize you're not the best at everything."

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Resources

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