This week in the Dads Spotlight we have Phil Conrad from the Intentional Parenting blog and podcast on the show. We asked Phil Conrad to explain what Intentional Parenting means to him and he said

Phil has a background as being a youth ministerand he found that intentional parenting revolved around:

* Accepting responsibility

* developing a work ethic

* Being responsible with finances

* Helping your child to be an adult

Consistency is critical if you want to be an intentional parent. As a parent many people are trying to get  their kids to obey them when they say something. As a parent himself, Phil Conrad said that now that his kids are older that his kids do obey most of the time, but it was starting early and having consistency that got them there.

Time with your kids is so important and being intentional with your parenting can help with this. Time is a key part of intentional parenting. Just trying to do something with my kids each day is so important, even if it is small says Phil Conrad. Phil made this a priority. He made sure that he had a consistent schedule so he was home every day to be able to have the time he needed. He also made sure that his career did not take control of his life as it is not his employer that will take care of him in his old age. Thus, his job was never more important than his family. Having this time has allowed him to foster relationships with his whole family and this can help you too.

Other things that you need to be mindful of when it comes to mindful parenting is to consider your schedule and where you are at in regards to spending times with your kids. If you need to schedule time to do this, then do it. Make a specific appointment with each of your kids to spend 1 on 1 time with them to connect with them on a deeper level. This time allows you ask specific questions to engage your kids on specific things. This lets you get to know their world and on their level with where they are at. It also allows you to understand them and understand what is important to them. You can also work in important things that are critical to you and your family and provide learning moments to them too during this time,

If you have never done this before the most important thing is to just start having the conversations. Don’t start too deep, but just show them that you are interested. Start with things like:

* their friends

* what they do with their friends

* what they like about their friends

As you ask questions you learn things about your child. Even with younger kids you can start a conversation with topics like:

* What’s your favorite color?

* What’s your favorite food?

* What’s your favorite animal?

* How do you like to spend your time?

 

Sometimes you can have these conversations through having a common activity. Think about things you can do together and then you can have a open conversation and share things about your own childhood. Things that you  liked when you were a kid and other things like that.

 

About Phil  Conrad’s Intentional Parenting Website and Podcast

 

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