Are we raising resilient kids—or accidentally making life harder for them later? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about whether today’s parenting trends are helping kids thrive or quietly coddling them.

Why This Matters
Dads play a critical role in preparing kids to handle real-world challenges with confidence, resilience, and independence.

Key Takeaways
• Kids today experience connection, independence, and challenges very differently than previous generations.
• Overprotecting and over-helping can unintentionally weaken a child’s ability to handle adversity.
• Building resilience requires letting kids face discomfort, failure, and responsibility.

Practical Tips for Dads

1.    Create space for independence—let your kids solve problems, make decisions, and even fail.

2.    Resist the urge to step in too quickly—coach instead of control.

3.    Introduce responsibility early and consistently hold your kids accountable.

Important Episode Timestamps

[00:00] Are We Coddling Our Kids? What Dads Need to Know About Raising Resilient Children 

[00:38] How Kids Today Experience Childhood Differently Than Their Dads Did 

[04:01] What Social Psychologist Jonathan Haidt Says About Coddling

[05:30] When Labels Like "Triggers" and "Trauma" Help and Hurt Kids

[09:17] What the Dead Poets Society Reaction Reveals About Generation Z 

[11:39] How to Spot Coddling in Your Own Home 

[16:42] The 4 Ways Dads Coddle Without Realizing It 

[20:31] How to Coach Your Kids Up and Then Let Them Go 

[23:59] Why Free Play and Boredom Are Actually Good for Kids

[27:19] This Week's Pro Move"

Give your child at least one responsibility this week that they can fully own—then step back and let them handle it.

Quotable:
"If they can do it, let them do it, and they can probably do more than we think that they could." - Ted

All Pro Dad Resources:

Episode 98 – How to Build Resilient Children

4 Ways to Raise Resilient Kids

Dan Orlovsky: 5 Ways to Teach a Daughter to Have Grit

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Ted Lowe on LinkedIn

Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn

BJ Foster on LinkedIn

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