If we can embrace the imperfection of our disabled kids then why can’t we do it for ourselves? Your self worth is not predicated on pleasing others, achievement or being perfect. In this episode I talk about the need to embrace being imperfect as a dad and why it’s important to stop caring about other peoples opinions and perfect expectations and just focus on the only thing you can control being the expectation of yourself.

On todays episode I discuss the important topic for all disability parents in how to keep and maintain effective interpersonal relationships with your partner. Im no expert or relationship therapist but I wanted to share a valuable DBT skill called GIVE that I have learned that will 100% help improve your ability to validate other people feel and ultimately improve the effectiveness of your communication.

Here is a practical worksheet you can use that will help perform the GIVE skill

https://coreconnectivity.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/IE-GIVE-002.pdf

What’s it like to see your profoundly deaf child hear for the first time? I have a heart to heart with Josh Byrne about the life changing moment his daughter got ‘switched on’ and could hear her mum and dads voice. We chat about

celebrating milestones, and actively participating in the hearing world. Josh also opens up about why his decision to not share in the early days of diagnosis helped him, and gives his insights into how he has been able to ‘normalise’ being a dad of a disabled child.

On this episode I tackle the topic of everyday resilience, and share some practical ways to improve your positivity and mental health through the power of gratitude, empathy and mindfulness. Special thanks and credit to The Resilience Project by Hugh Van Cuylenberg

Here are some highlights from the episodes so far mashed up in a motivational mixtape to remind you that you can do this! To all the dads out there, we see you, you are not alone and you’re more capable than you think. Keep believing in yourself, and never underestimate your Dad-ability

We are all human and don't always get it right and can always find ways to be better, but you cant hang onto your mistakes you need to learn to let them go! I share my insights and tips on how to stop beating yourself up and reduce rumination by staying in the present and working on what is 'helpful' and 'effective' so we are forward focused. Everyone has a 'to do' list and by the end of the episode you will have what is more important as a dad of disability, which is a 'to be' list!

On this episode we flip the script as Steve (a friend and fellow dad) interviews me on my journey so far as a dad of disability in dealing with acceptance, and in adjusting to how life would be different.

One of the hardest things to do in raising a child with a disability is to take care of yourself. On this episode I share my thoughts on the importance of communication, and how to balance getting your needs met as a parent.

To share or not to share? Where are the boundaries? For many this is a tough decision. People can’t help support you if they don’t know what you are going through. On this episode I offer up my perspective on why sharing can be so beneficial

What does success look like as a dad to children with a disability? I chat with Jarrad McCaskie who opens up about how he manages raising 3 kids under 7 with ASD, the impact this has had on his career and what success looks like for him now as a professional, a dad and a husband.