What if the most powerful parenting tool is just five words: “I’m so glad you told me”? We put that idea to the test as four dads trade first-drunk stories, secrecy, and guilt for a more honest approach to risk and responsibility. The conversation begins where real life happens—smokers, kitchen wins and fails, Friday night rituals—and then heads straight into the messy middle: teens will test limits, so do we clamp down or coach up?

We talk about why prohibition often backfires and how education—clear info, safe plans, and a standing “call me” policy—keeps kids safer than silence. The script “I’m so glad you told me” becomes our anchor through every stage: broken mugs, tough friendships, serious concerns like eating disorders, and those late-night calls from college. We unpack how it shifts us from judges to guides, reduces shame, and keeps the relationship strong when it matters most. No one plays expert here; when we don’t know, we model curiosity, ask what our kids think, and use prompts like “What would you tell a friend?” to match depth to readiness.

Then we share a big life moment: after a rollercoaster of appraisals, lenders, and last-minute doubt, the cottage dream finally lands. That first winter weekend brings ice-skating, tree-dodging toboggans, and a surprising kind of healing—the kind you feel when kids rediscover boredom as a superpower and the woods become their playground. It’s equal parts practical and personal: set safe edges, honor small bids for attention, and keep the door open for the big stuff with those five words. If you’re navigating teen curiosity, craving better scripts, or just need a reminder that trust grows in small moments, you’ll feel at home here.

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