DA396 | Non-Reactive Parenting, The Five Life Spheres, and Lightening Your Child's Backpack (Glenn Packiam)

✅ Why your emotional health is the greatest gift to your kids

✅ How to parent non-reactively when hormones and emotions run high

✅ The "backpack" you're handing your children (and how to lighten it)

✅ Simple calendar strategies that reveal what you truly value

Full Show Notes

Fall 2025 DadAwesome Accelerator

SUMMARY

Parenting doesn't have to be about survival mode. In this episode, Glenn Packiam shares how intentional rhythms and a focus on resilience can transform your family life. From learning to be non-reactive when hormones hit to using your calendar as a tool for what you truly value, Glenn offers practical wisdom for dads navigating everything from toddlers to young adults getting married. Plus, discover why the healthiest gift you can give your kids might be your own emotional well-being.

Key Takeaways:

• You're going to hand your kids a "backpack" whether you like it or not—the goal is to make it as light as possible by dealing with your own emotional health first.
• Non-reactive parenting starts with slowing your breath and asking "what else is going on here?" instead of jumping to conclusions.
• Resilience isn't about avoiding hard emotions—it's about how quickly you recover and what you learn from difficult seasons.
• Your calendar reveals your true values; intentional rhythms like family dinners and Sabbath don't happen by accident.
• One of the greatest gifts you can give your children is your own repentance when you mess up.

GUEST:

Glenn Packiam is the author of The Intentional Year and several other books focused on spiritual formation and resilience. He's a pastor, speaker, and father of four children ranging from teenagers to young adults. Glenn lives in Southern California with his wife Holly, and his oldest daughter recently got engaged. He's passionate about helping parents move from survival mode to intentional, rhythmic family life that builds resilience in both parents and children.

LINKS 

 

• Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome

• Learn about the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort

• Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to [phone]

• Download a free chapter of the DadAwesome book

• The Intentional Year by Glenn & Holly Packiam

• Resilient Pastor resources

• Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazzero