That reaction; it’s not them. It’s your past.

In this episode I pull up the mirror and ask the tough question: Are you raising your kids or are you reliving and raising your own unfinished story?

This week we cover:

Why your daily habits, reactions and coping mechanisms shape your child’s future.

The “Mirror Test” and spotting the parts of yourself showing up in your child.

Practical steps to switch from avoidance to presence so your kids inherit resilience, not shame.

Why this episode matters (for dads right now):

Kids don’t remember the promotion. They remember how you made them feel. If you’re distracted, exhausted, numb or angry, your children absorb it as their normal. Fatherhood is a leadership role and leaders must do the internal work. This is designed to get you thinking about how you respond and reflect on whether you meet fire with fire.

Actionable takeaways:

Door-drop ritual: Leave the week at the door, taking 3 minutes to breathe and connect when you walk in.

One habit swap: Replace one avoidance habit (drinks, endless scrolling) with a repair habit (10-min walk, 10-min play). Track it for 7 days.

Mirror journaling: When you react, write the trigger + one possible root from your own past and see if you can spot that little bit of you staring back during those tense standoffs.

🔊 Listen & connect: Subscribe for weekly Friday Fuel. If this hit home, comment below: What part of yourself is your child reflecting back? Share this episode with a dad who needs it.

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