Diapers are hard. Terrible twos are no picnic. Middle and high school? Prepare for battle, Dad. It seems like every phase of parenting presents its own unique challenges. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about the hardest age to parent.
If your kids are little, you may be wondering if parenting ever gets easier. It depends on the kids and depends on their age. The truth is, no matter how tough today feels, your role as a dad is important during every age and stage of your child’s life. So, show up and give it your all, even on the hardest days.
Why This Matters
Every season is hard. Embrace today’s challenges because your children need you.
Key Takeaways
- It All Goes Fast
- Stages Don’t Last Forever
- Find People To Help You
- Remember the 3 Ls: Kids are Limited, then Learning, then Leaving
Important Episode Timestamps
00:00 – 00:55 | Introduction & Big Question of the Week
00:55 – 03:16 | The Hardest Phase? The One You’re In
03:16 – 05:11 | The "Dark Ages" of 0–4
05:11 – 07:12 | The Teen Years: Logic, Emotions & Everything In Between
07:12 – 09:02 | Finding Joy in the Middle of the Hard
09:02 – 12:00 | Letter to the Dad Who’s Struggling
12:00 – 14:11 | The 3 L's of Childhood: Limited, Learning, Leaving
14:11 – 16:53 | Don’t Do It Alone: Finding Support in Tough Seasons
16:53 – 20:26 | Survival Tips: Self-Care, Small Wins & Staying Present
APD Pro Move:
Remember that you’re doing better than you think.
All Pro Dad Resources:
8 Tips For Traveling With Toddlers and Preschoolers
5 Lies We Believe About Our Teens
3 Ways to Raise Adults In Training
Listen Again:
Episode 65: Are Your Expectations Crushing Your Teens?
Episode 55: Problems Middle Schoolers Run Into
Connect with Us:
EXTRAS:
Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)
Join 200,000+ other dads by subscribing to the All Pro Dad Play of the Day.
Get daily fatherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration straight to your inbox.
This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com.
Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.
Get great content for moms at iMOM.com
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.