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On this week's episode of the Quarterback Dadcast, Casey Jacox sits down with the talented Trent Cotton, the VP of Culture from Hatchworks AI.

Maintaining a meaningful connection with your child when physical distance separates you isn't just challenging—it can feel nearly impossible. Trent knows this struggle intimately. After separating from his wife when their daughter was only two and a half years old, with three hours of distance between them, Trent had to build his relationship through phone calls with a toddler who sometimes wasn't interested in talking.

"There were numerous nights that I would cry myself to sleep just thinking I'm not going to have the relationship that I've always wanted to have with my child," Trent reveals. Yet today, he and his daughter speak almost daily, discussing everything from fashion choices to profound conversations about physics, politics, and faith. How did he transform those tearful nights into this thriving relationship?

The cornerstone of Trent's approach came from advice that changed everything: "Never say anything negative about your child's other parent in front of them." Through years of co-parenting challenges, he maintained this principle, refusing to let family members speak poorly of his ex-wife in his daughter's presence. This commitment created a foundation of safety and respect that allows his daughter to have relationships with both parents without feeling caught in the middle.

Trent's philosophy of "excellence always" has guided both his career and his parenting. "Do things when people aren't looking and do them well," he explains, "and I promise you, it'll become such a habit that the world will start to notice." This value has taken root in his daughter, who was recently accepted into a master's program in civil engineering—something Trent speaks about with unmistakable pride.

Perhaps most powerful is Trent's advice to "lead people to where they need to be, but don't judge them for where they are." This compassionate approach recognizes that our children are on their own journey, and our role isn't to criticize their current position but to guide them toward their best future self.

Want to transform your parenting approach? Listen now to discover how playing the "long game" in parenting can help you navigate even the most challenging circumstances while building unbreakable bonds with your children. Your parenting North Star is waiting.

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