From Toddlers to Teens: Staying Connected as a Dad- Ep 481

Dad Tired

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What if the most powerful discipleship moments with your kids weren’t planned, but hidden in the everyday?

In this heartfelt solo episode, Jerrad Lopes shares the honest struggle of staying connected with your kids; especially as they grow into pre-teens and teens. From the exhausting early days of parenting toddlers to the emotional complexity of raising a 14-year-old, Jerrad opens up about his own wins, failures, and surprising lessons learned.

Through a spontaneous UTV adventure in the Arizona desert, he discovered a truth that changed how he parents: deep connection isn’t built in big, perfectly planned moments, it’s formed in the small, mundane ones. With biblical insight from Deuteronomy and the example of Jesus, Jerrad shows how ordinary life can become the best classroom for pointing your kids to Christ.

This episode is an encouragement to slow down, notice the moments you might be missing, and remember that God uses the everyday to shape both your kids’ hearts and yours.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why parenting often gets harder as your kids grow older
• How to build “relational equity” with your kids in simple, everyday ways
• Why the mundane moments are often the most spiritually impactful
• How Jesus used ordinary life to disciple His followers
• Practical ideas to connect with both younger kids and teens
• How God uses parenting moments to shape your own faith

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Deuteronomy 6:4–7 — Teaching your kids in everyday life
• Matthew 6 & Mark 4 — How Jesus used lilies and storms to teach spiritual truths
• Arizona ATV Adventures
• Book Jerrad to speak: jerradlopes.com
• Grab Dad Tired and Loving It

Today’s Sponsors:

Courage For Life Bible & World Watch News