What happens when your kids grow up and finally understand why you parented the way you did?

In this special father-and-son episode, Kent sits down with his oldest son Alex for an honest conversation about parenting decisions that didn't always make sense in the moment: delayed cell phones, cultural boundaries, fitting in, dating, technology, and learning to wait.

From Alex's perspective as a grown man, worship pastor, and husband, many of those frustrating "why can't I?" moments now carry a completely different meaning.

This episode dives into:

• delayed gratification
• Christian parenting in a culture obsessed with fitting in
• helping kids stand apart instead of blend in
• raising sons who can think biblically
• the hidden lessons behind family rules
• why parenting is about more than behavior management

If you've ever wondered whether your kids will someday understand the hard choices you make as a parent, this conversation is for you.

Want to shape the direction of the show this year? Leave us a voicemail and tell us what you're facing as a dad: manhoodjourney.org/podcast Scroll down to "What's Your Story?" and leave us a message!

You're not a father on accident. Go be a father on purpose.

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Learn more about our new partners here: https://maninthemirror.org/

Download the Iron Circle worksheet here: https://manhoodjourney.org/iron-circle/

We've launched video now! Check out the video version of today's episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ev0W5OeQiZ8

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• Read the new State Of Biblical Fatherhood report here: http://manhoodjourney.org/sobf
• Find tools to share the report here: https://manhoodjourney.org/sobf-tools

• Have a topic you want us to touch on? Well, get in touch! Send us an email at: [email protected]

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About our hosts:

• Kent Evans is the Executive Director and co-founder of Manhood Journey, a ministry that helps dads become disciple-makers. After a twenty-year career as a business leader, he embarked on biblical Fatherhood ministry projects. He's appeared on television, radio, web outlets and podcasts. He's spoken at parenting and men's events, and authored four books. The first, Wise Guys: Unlocking Hidden Wisdom from the Men Around You, was written to help men learn how to find mentors and wise counsel. The latest, Don't Bench Yourself: How to Stay in the Game Even When You Want to Quit, aims to help dads stay present in their roles as fathers and husbands even when they feel like giving up. Kent's life has been radically affected by godly mentors and his lovely wife, April. They have been married thirty years and have five sons and one daughter-in-law. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky.

• Lawson Brown is husband to his high school sweetheart, a father of two young adult daughters, has been a business leader since 1995, and is a former Marine. He served as a small group leader for teenage boys for many years, helped start the Christian media ministry City on a Hill Productions, then later Sanctuary – a new church in Kennesaw, GA – where he served as its leader for Men's Ministry. Lawson's journey of faith has always been centered in a grounding from his wife, Audrey, and supported throughout by many men whom he's found as brothers along the way. His family is nearing an empty nest phase and has recently relocated to the Florida Gulf Coast beaches area.