StepDad Success

Today, we’ll talk about the importance of letting go. We’ll look at how being flexible can allow you to let go of old behaviors that are holding you back and move forward with new, constructive behaviors.

Finally, we’ll discuss the power that comes from being able to recreate yourself so that you can achieve your definition of success.

POINT #1: You Must Become Comfortable with Letting Go

* As you grow older, things in your life will change.

* You must become comfortable with letting go of old behaviors, mindsets, beliefs, etc. that no longer serve you.

* By letting go of old behaviors, you can move forward with new ones.

POINT #2: Being Flexible Helps

* Staying flexible can help you adapt to changes in your life and allow you to recognize when you need to let go.

* Flexibility can help you create your definition of success and achieve your goals across all areas of your liThe six moves that make a stepkid choose you: www.stepdadsuccess.com

Today, we’ll talk about how you are in control of your world. We’ll look at how positive and negative outside influences can affect your family—and your entire life.

Finally, we’ll discuss how taking responsibility and making good choices about the outside influences you allow into your life can lead to happiness.

POINT #1: You Are in Control of Your World

* There is a lot of chaos in the world that can damage your kids and family.

* Outside influences can be positive or negative.

* It’s important for you to realize that despite outside influences, you are in control of what you let into your life.

* Recognizing the effect of outside influences can help to reduce, control or prevent damage to your family.

POINT #2: Be Careful About Your Choices

* Choice is one of the most critical factors in determining your quality of life.

* You choose which outside influences yoThe six moves that make a stepkid choose you: www.stepdadsuccess.com

BJ Bench, a father of two and guardian of his 16-year-old cousin, will discuss what he had to learn to be the father-figure that his cousin needed. He’ll discuss the importance of being a part of his cousin’s life, setting limits on technology and training her to recognize concerning behaviors in other people, particularly boys.

Finally, BJ will talk about why dads shouldn’t be afraid to have difficult conversations about uncomfortable subjects with their teens.

POINT #1: Dads Must Be Adaptable

* BJ and his wife have two biological daughters (ages 4 and 1) and took in his cousin after she was placed in the foster care system. BJ’s cousin is now 16-years-old and has lived with BJ and his family for two-and-a-half years.

* Getting an “instant tween” was tough and BJ and his wife were not prepared for the hormones and the drama. However, BJ quickly stepped into a father role.The six moves that make a stepkid choose you: www.stepdadsuccess.com

Today, we’ll talk about how you can create an amazing connection with your kids simply by having fun. We’ll talk about the importance of having fun despite all the adult responsibilities that make it easy for us to become too serious.

Finally, we’ll discuss the benefits of having fun across all areas of our life.

POINT #1: Fun Creates a Connection with Your Kids

* Your job and your other adult responsibilities can cause you to become serious, stubborn and stuck in your ways.

* Because of everything on your plate, it can be easy to forget to make time for fun.

* For kids, fun is life—and having fun with your kids can help you create an amazing connection with them.

POINT #2: Take a Break to Play

* Your kids don’t understand your responsibilities and why they make you so serious all the time.

* Every now and then, you have to let go and play with your kids.

* Make tiThe six moves that make a stepkid choose you: www.stepdadsuccess.com

Today, we’ll talk about how you can empower your partner by recognizing when she needs a break—and encouraging her to take time to recharge. We’ll talk about how you can help your partner thrive by picking up the slack and throwing out “old thinking” about the roles of men and women.

Finally, we’ll discuss how you can show your kids how to lead a family and empower others.

POINT #1: Empowering Others is Part of Leadership

* Good leaders empower those around them.

* Part of a man’s role is leading his family and recognizing when the people in his household need a break.

* Encouraging your partner to take a time-out when she needs it will empower her to lead in her own way.

POINT #2: Shed Your Old Thinking

* Running a household and managing a family are the responsibilities of both partners, and men sometimes need to pick up the slack.

* Some men feel that certain tasks are tThe six moves that make a stepkid choose you: www.stepdadsuccess.com

Today, we’ll talk about productivity and how doing the right things at the right times will help you to accomplish your goals. We’ll talk about what it means to do the work required—and how it is different from doing only what you must.

Finally, we’ll discuss the importance of showing your kids how to achieve goals by going above and beyond while taking the most efficient path.

POINT #1: “Doing the Work Required” Improves Productivity

* To be productive, you must manage yourself correctly and do the right things at the right times.

* “Doing the work required” is more than a to-do list; it will help you look at work from a different angle so you can achieve your goals faster.

* There is no map that will show you how to get from Point A to Point B in life, but doing the work required helps you to take a direct, efficient path.

POINT #2: Get the Best Help from The Best Source

* If youThe six moves that make a stepkid choose you: www.stepdadsuccess.com

Today, we’ll talk about gratitude and how you can pass it to your kids. We’ll talk about how life is full of challenges and choices, and how reflecting on these things can help you to feel grateful for where you are today.

Finally, we’ll discuss the importance of appreciating what is possible in your life.

POINT #1: Becoming a Better Stepdad Helps You Raise Great Kids

* When your kids see you learning, improving your lifestyle and asking yourself tough questions, it sends a powerful message.

* It is important to teach kids that learning doesn’t just come from books.

* You need to take the principles you learn and apply them to your life.

POINT #2: Trust that Everything Will Work Out

* Life involves lots of trial-and-error, so you must be willing to be open and to change.

* During challenging times, it is important to trust that everything will work out.

* You can’tThe six moves that make a stepkid choose you: www.stepdadsuccess.com

Glenn Osgoodby, a stepdad of two and father of three, will discuss how he has learned from his experiences and grown as a parent while raising his children from his first marriage, his step children, and his youngest child from his second marriage.

He’ll discuss how he acclimated to his new role of stepdad and the dynamics in his now-expanded family.

Finally, Glenn will share his thoughts on developing a relationship with his step kids that is based on respect and love.

POINT #1: Learn from Your Experiences

* Glenn had the opportunity to parent his two children from his first marriage (now ages 25 and 23), his step kids (now ages 18 and 16) and his four-year-old daughter with his current wife.

* Although Glenn said that each child and parenting experience has been different, he has been able to use what he learned during each parenting “phase” to help him grow.

* Glenn has learned to take a step bacThe six moves that make a stepkid choose you: www.stepdadsuccess.com

Today, we’ll discuss how your feelings and old stories can hold you back from achieving your goals. We’ll talk about the benefits of long-term thinking and how changing your mindset and feelings can drive change in your life.

Finally, we’ll discuss the importance of challenging your thinking to get the results you want.

POINT #1: Your Early Experiences Create “Stories”

* Your early life experiences create “stories” that you carry with you into adulthood; some stories are positive and some are negative.

* For example, if you had a rough upbringing, you may not value family and relationships.

* Old stories will influence your actions unless you challenge your thinking and change your mindset.

POINT #2: Long-Term Thinking Can Help You Change Your Stories

* Thinking about your future is a great way to solidify your goals and decide what you want for your life.

* Based on your lThe six moves that make a stepkid choose you: www.stepdadsuccess.com

Today, we’ll discuss the power of the questions you ask yourself and how these questions relate to creating a strong foundation for your life. We’ll talk about how your old “stories” can affect the questions you ask yourself today.

Finally, we’ll discuss how to look at all areas of your life and ask questions that help you create renewed foundations and new stories that reflect your goals.

POINT #1: Dig Deeper with Quality Questions

* There are all sorts of questions in life, but most of them are at a surface level.

* You need to dig deeper and ask quality questions of yourself to get to the bottom of what you are trying to achieve in life.

* Asking quality questions also can help you figure out what might be holding you back.

POINT #2: Questions Help You Build a Foundation for Your Life

* You need to start at “ground zero” and get real about where you are in each of your Core 4 areThe six moves that make a stepkid choose you: www.stepdadsuccess.com