Being a dad is a challenging gig. As our kids age, our role and the things our sons need from us change as well. When your son starts turning into a young man, it forces you to do things differently and change your perspective. Our role that started as protecter in the dark, moved to comforter of all things scraped knees, then to supporter when they don’t fit in with their peer group has changed to life coach, with an intense focus on making sure they have everything they need to be prepared for life. It’s a realization of something we’ve always known, but maybe put on the shelf for a while as we were stuck in the younger years – our job ultimately is not to protect them, but prepare them.
While I’ve always tried to introduce these opportunities for my boys in every day life, as they age, I really want to make sure they have what they need to be prepared in life. I want them to have specific skills and “how to” knowledge, but also things like being able to deal with failure, succeed with humility, and an ability to see others.
To that end, I’m starting a series I call “The Launch List”. It’s a personal list – think of it almost as a bucket list – of things I want to make sure they understand so that they can launch into life fully equipped to handle what life throws at them.
What to expect
Each post in the series will focus on a specific life lesson, skill, or experience — from the practical to the personal. Some may be big moments; others may be small but meaningful. Some can (and should) be taught at an earlier stage of life, while others may require a level of responsibility or even physical strength.
- Managing Money
- The art of an apology
- How to navigate an airport
- Cook their own meal
- How to start a fire
- Navigating relationships
- Knowing when to speak and when to listen
- How to utilize ride share apps
- How to change a tire
These aren’t just for my sons. They’re for anyone who wants to raise, mentor, or become men who are ready for life — not just to survive it, but to lead in it.
Whether you’re a dad, a mom, a mentor, or just someone thinking ahead, I hope this series sparks conversations, memories, and maybe even some bucket-list moments of your own. I would love to hear items from your list so we can collectively raise the best young men we can and prepare them to launch!
Here’s to launching well.
