001: How to Be a Father- Answers and Tips for Great Fatherhood Ft. Kendall Smith

“Every guy has the opportunity to be a great father. Just know you're going to be a little freaked out first. But you're a student again for the first time and it's important that you have to learn. You will make mistakes along the way but admitting to them will make you a great parent.”

Welcome to the first official episode of The Modern Man Podcast— Connecting Men in Pursuit of Their Potential!

For this special episode, I want to talk about a topic that most of us have been asking for so long- how to be a father.

Having a child does not necessarily make a man a father. To be a "father", one must have the courage and the heart for it. It's a lifetime commitment and a legacy.

A lot of first-time fathers are afraid that they will not be able to handle the responsibilities of fatherhood. This can be a major source of stress for some men, especially for the father who has to figure out how to take care of his newborn while also figuring out how to be there for his wife. And it's even harder if he did not have a father figure to look up to while growing up.

It's important to remember though that being a great father does not mean perfection, rather having the willingness to spend time, grow patience, and make a dedication to becoming one.

This week, I got to sit down with Kendall Smith, the author of Rookie Father: A Playbook for Men Experiencing Fatherhood for the First Time. Raised by a single mother, Kendall did not have an immediate male role model. But this did not stop him from becoming the great father that he is today. He learned by observing other people, talking to them, and discovering things as he became a father himself.

Kendall and I discuss how fathers and fathers-to-be can overcome the challenge of time management, handling finances, setting priorities, building a strong bond with their kids, and working as a team with their spouses, even if they are not together anymore. And, more importantly. for men who are not yet fathers like me, how do we know if we are ready to take on that role? Kendall also answers that and more!

Fellas, please enjoy this episode of The Modern Man!

#Letsgrow

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Highlights:

02:20 Entering Fatherhood

06:52 Fatherhood and Time Management

11:31 How to Manage Finances

14:51 It’s YOUR Legacy

18:23 Meeting the Challenge of Co-Parenting

21:02 How to Support Your Spouse

23:38 Setting Priorities Straight

25:40 Are Ready to Be a Father?