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Is your daughter struggling to tie her shoes? Did your son strike out to end the game? Did they fail the big driver’s test? Kids are going to fail throughout life. What will you say in the moment? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to discuss why failure is an essential part of childhood. They explore why dads naturally want to protect their kids from failure, how failure builds resilience and wisdom, and offer practical ways to help children grow stronger through disappointment instead of rescuing them from it.

Why This Matters

Every child will fail. The question isn't whether it will happen—it's what happens after it does. Learning from failure is the first step to embracing it. 

Key Takeaways

• Normalize failure. Failure isn't a reflection of your child's worth—it's evidence they're learning, growing, and taking healthy risks.
• Encourage healthy risk-taking. Kids develop resilience when dads create safe environments where trying, failing, and trying again are celebrated.
• Respond better than you rescue. The goal isn't to remove failure but to walk with your child through it, affirming their value while helping them reflect and grow.

Practical Tips for Dads

1.    Separate identity from performance. Remind your kids they're loved regardless of success or failure.

2.    Praise effort, courage, and character. Celebrate the willingness to try more than the outcome itself.

3.    Process failure together. Listen first, acknowledge emotions, ask thoughtful questions, and help your child discover what they learned before moving on.

Important Episode Timestamps
[00:00] How Do We Help Our Kids Learn From and Embrace Failure?
[00:46] Striking Out and Running and Wrong Way
[04:04] What J.K. Rowling's Story Teaches Dads About Failure and Success
[05:30] How Do Your Kids Actually Handle Failure and Where Did They Learn That?
[11:38] The Danger of Failure Becoming an Identity Instead of an Experience
[13:38] Why Dads Should Read the Room After Failure
[17:02] Remove the Stigma: Failure Is a Byproduct of Ambition
[18:07] Encourage Failure on Purpose — Give Kids Low-Stakes Chances to Fail
[21:37] Affirm Their Worth, Applaud Their Effort, and Redefine Success
[26:54] This Week's Pro Move:
This week, ask your child, "What did you fail at today?" Then tell them about one of your own failures and what it taught you. 

Sponsor:
The All Pro Dad Podcast is proudly brought to you by Family First, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping parents with resources to strengthen their families. Learn more at FamilyFirst.net.

All Pro Dad Resources: 

Episode 36 – Mike Norvell: How Do I Help My Kids Through Success and Failure? 

Episode 32 – Dan Orlovsky: How Should Dads Behave in the Bleachers?

10 Things to Teach Your Kids About Failure

7 A’s to Help Your Kids Overcome Failure

Giving Your Teenager the Freedom to Fail

Instagram: @thetedshed

Connect with Us:

Ted Lowe on LinkedIn

Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn

BJ Foster on LinkedIn

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