Kids’ fears grow up with them. Babies fear loud noises and separation, young kids battle monsters in the dark, and older kids worry about fitting in at school. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about our kids’ fears and how dads can help guide them through it all.

Why This Matters
When kids are afraid, they need help processing their feelings.

Key Takeaways

· Fear and worry are different: Fear is a present problem while worry is a future problem.

· Bullying is #1: Pew Research conducted between 2020–25 showed virtually all kids fear being bullied.

· Failure is terrifying: As kids age, the idea they won’t succeed becomes a major fear for many kids.

Practical Tips for Dads
When your kids are fearful, try these action steps:

1. Acknowledge Their Fear.

2. Ask Why This Scares Them.

3. Consider Your Words.

Important Episode Timestamps

00:00 – 02:33 | Childhood Fears That Stick With Us

02:33 – 05:36 | Fear of Losing Parents as a Kid

05:36 – 07:11 | Common Fears Kids Have Today

07:11 – 09:01 | When Childhood Fear Turns Serious

09:01 – 11:54 | Fear vs. Courage: What Dads Should Teach Kids

11:54 – 13:36 | How Fear of Failure Starts Early

13:36 – 15:32 | How to Talk to Kids About Fear

15:32 – 17:20 | How Parents Accidentally Create Anxiety

17:20 – 21:22 | Why Overprotecting Kids Backfires

21:22 – End | Helping Kids Build Courage and Resilience

APD Pro Move:
The next time your kids say they’re afraid, tell them about a time you were afraid. Tell them how you showed bravery in the moment and encourage them to do the same.

All Pro Dad Resources

Episode 2: How Can I Help My Anxious Kid?

4 Responses That Turn Scared Kids Into Brave Kids

5 Ways to Raise A Son Who’ll Overcome His Fears

5 Fears We Pass On To Our Kids

The 9 Most Common Childhood Fears Explained

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Ted Lowe on LinkedIn

Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn

BJ Foster on LinkedIn

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Finances. Job performance. Relationship strife. All of those things impact your stress. Do you know how to handle it? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about the plague of dad stress and how vital it is for men to manage it well.

Why This Matters
When you’re stressed out, you’re not at your best for your kids.

Key Takeaways

· There’s no single culprit: Finances, their jobs, and relationships are consistently listed as the top three stressors for men.

· There are 3 kinds of stress: Acute, episodic, and chronic. All three impact dads differently.

· There are ways to deal with it: Methods like slow breathing and pausing help men manage their stress.

· Short-term stress can be good: It helps your immune system fight.

Stress Relief for Dads: Simple Mental Health Tips That Actually Work

1. When you’re stressed, breathe.

2. Name your stress.

3. Talk about it.

4. Pour into yourself

Important Episode Timestamps

00:00 – 02:40 | Stressed-Out Dads and Teenage Reactions

02:40 – 05:42 | “I’m More Stressed Than I Realize”

05:42 – 07:03 | What Stress Really Is

07:03 – 10:10 | The Top 3 Stressors for Men

10:10 – 11:38 | The Work–Life Balance Spiral

11:38 – 14:11 | When Your Stress Spills Onto Your Family

14:11 – 16:48 | Kids Know When Dad Is Stressed—Even If He Doesn’t

16:48 – 20:26 | You’re Modeling Stress Management

20:26 – 23:50 | Real, Scientific Breathing

23:50 – End | Becoming a Calmer Dad

APD Pro Move:
1) Practice breathing. Inhale twice and exhale slowly.

2) Find a trusted person you can lean on to talk about your stress.

All Pro Dad Resources:

Episode 31 – Tony Dungy: Is Work-Life Balance Even Possible?

5 Things You Don’t Need to Stress About as a Dad

How to Reduce the Stress Level in Your Life

iMOM Feel Wheel

We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!

Connect with Us:

Ted Lowe on LinkedIn

Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn

BJ Foster on LinkedIn

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

Get All Pro Dad merch!

EXTRAS:

Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)

Join 200,000+ other dads by subscribing to the All Pro Dad Play of the Day.
Get daily fatherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration straight to your inbox.

This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com.

Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.

Get great content for moms at iMOM.com

Kids are living online, so it makes sense they want to get in on the fun. In a 2023 poll by Morning Consult, more than half of kids said they wanted to be social media influencers. As a dad, would you support that dream? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about the dangers that come with being social media influencers.

Why This Matters
Kids want to be liked, so they tend to imitate the people who seem to be the most liked.

What Are the Dangers of Becoming an Influencer?
1. Safety

The Wall Street Journal reported in 2024 that the followers of one particular pre-teen girl influencer was 92% adult men.

2. Pressure

The pressure to produce daily content, look perfect, and maintain an audience is not something kids are equipped to deal with, nor should they.

3. Exploitation

Once kids start making money it’s going to be hard for parents to pull the plug. The Netflix documentary Bad Influence is a perfect example.

4. Negative Feedback

Kids don’t usually have the experience, perspective, or identity to handle negative criticism from strangers.

5. Social Media Impact

Influencing takes place primarily on social media, which invites kids to pursue the unattainable, namely being perfect.

Important Episode Timestamps
00:00 – 00:36 | Childhood Dreams and Aspirations

00:36 – 02:17 | The Kids Want to Be YouTubers

02:17 – 03:38 | The Seven-Year-Old With 1,000 Views

03:38 – 06:22 | The First Red Flag: Who’s Watching Your Kids?

06:22 – 07:42 | Kids Are Still Developing Identity and Belonging

07:42 – 10:39 | The Hidden Weight of Early Fame

10:39 – 12:25 | Disturbing Stats About Pre-Teen Influencers

12:25 – 17:01 | The Exploitation Trap — When Money Clouds Judgment

17:01 – 18:12 | No Laws Protect Kids Online

18:12 – End | How to Respond When Your Kid Wants to Be an Influencer

APD Pro Move:
Talk with your kids about influencers. Ask them who they follow on social media, watch online, and what they think life is like for influencers.

Resources:

Episode 46 – How Do I Parent in a Social Media World?

We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!

Connect with Us:

Ted Lowe on LinkedIn

Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn

BJ Foster on LinkedIn

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

Get All Pro Dad merch!

EXTRAS:

Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)

Join 200,000+ other dads by subscribing to the All Pro Dad Play of the Day.
Get daily fatherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration straight to your inbox.

This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com.

Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.

Get great content for moms at iMOM.com