In this episode, I open up about the emotional and practical realities of long-distance fatherhood and co-parenting after separation. I share lessons from Halloween traditions and holiday rituals, the challenges of discipline with a sensitive three-year-old, and how those lessons carry over into parenting my twelve-year-old who lives overseas. With insight from a top UK family lawyer on the Hague Convention and advice from psychologists Sean Larsen and Todd Kettner, I explore how to focus on your child’s wellbeing, manage emotions, and nurture connection across borders.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

Understanding the Hague Convention and international parenting rights

How to keep your child at the centre during legal or co-parenting conflict

Simple rituals and creative ways to stay connected through holidays

Balancing firmness and sensitivity in discipline near and far

The value of quiet presence and emotional steadiness with older kids

In this episode, I open up about the emotional and practical realities of long-distance fatherhood and how to nurture a balanced bond between parents after separation. With insights from counsellor Catherine Williams and research on the Kelly & Johnston Continuum, I discuss healthy attachment, the difference between affinity and alienation, and why a child’s best outcome depends on both parents being supported.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

Why self-care and emotional health come first for separated parents

How to stay connected through letters, FaceTime, and shared rituals

The Kelly & Johnston Continuum explained — from balance to alienation

Language that fosters security instead of division

Simple activities that reconnect families across distance

Professional insight and practical tools for parents navigating separation

In this episode, I open up about the emotional and practical work of supporting a young child through high anxiety — and what it means to stay grounded as a parent when your child’s fear takes over. With thanks and insight from psychologist Sean Larsen, hypnotherapist Catherine Williams, and family counsellor Erica Spink, I explore how “bottom-up” fear works in a child’s nervous system, why storytelling can be more powerful than reassurance, and how gentle exposure and family balance helped our son heal.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

Simple family moments that restore connection — nature play, empathy, and advocacy

How a mild infection triggered deep anxiety in a six-year-old

Why logic doesn’t calm body-based fear

How storytelling can re-train a child’s brain

The emotional load of co-regulation and the need for parental balance

The small daily shifts that made a difference: softer mornings, more play, less pressure

This episode explores the emotional terrain of letting go and showing up. I reflect on the early days of co-parenting — the handovers, the tension, and the quiet rituals that helped my son feel safe — and how those lessons continue to shape the way I parent today.

From the big goodbyes of long-distance fatherhood to the daily drop-offs at daycare, I’ve learned that transitions are where connection is built — if we stay present and consistent through them.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

The power of predictable handovers and simple goodbye rituals

Why short, steady transitions work best for kids

Lessons from co-parenting through conflict with compassion

How long-distance parenting shaped my approach to daily connection

A reminder that presence matters more than perfection

In this Dad Diary, I reflect on the dual challenges of fatherhood across distance and at home. Saying goodbye to my eldest son after a summer visit — complete with a broken arm and his first solo flight — pushed me to hold space for his sadness while staying steady. At the same time, helping my three-year-old navigate daycare transitions has reminded me that even small daily goodbyes ask for presence, consistency, and soft strength.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• The emotional goodbye of my son’s first solo flight back to the UK
• Rituals our family uses to anchor connection through goodbyes
• How daycare transitions mirror the bigger separations
• Reflections on Jason Wilson’s idea of being “the man the moment demands”

In This Episode:

• Blue's podcast journey from 2020 pandemic start to present
• How a brutal custody battle became a gift for better parenting
• The inspiration behind returning after a 2-year break
• Season 3 announcement: Dad Diaries format launching September 2025

Upcoming Season 3 Topics:

• Handling anxiety in young children
• Navigating germ phobia
• Raising a highly sensitive child
• Managing distance parenting as children approach teenage years
• Staying connected from afar - and should we?
• Time as a gift, not a sacrifice

Connect with Blue:

• Visit bluenetherclift.com for more resources on international parenting
• Find all episodes at dad-without-borders-e10084dc.simplecast.com
• Connect with Blue on Instagram @dadwithoutborders
• Season 3: Dad Diaries launches September 2025 - subscribe wherever you get your podcasts

Resources Mentioned:

• International parenting challenges and solutions
• Blended family dynamics across continents
• Professional consultation for parenting struggles

Community: Whether you're tuning in from Toronto or Tokyo, Manchester or the Middle East, if you're a parent trying to figure it all out, you're part of this community. Remember - there are no borders when it comes to a parent's love.

David Stegman's offerings include:

The Courageous Way - Business and Mindset coaching

https://www.thecourageousway.com/

The Rad Dad Collective

https://www.raddadcollective.org/