Dad Space Podcast - for Dads by Dads

Episode 282 - The Rocks in the River - Fatherhood, Obstacles, and Growth The Rocks in the River Fatherhood often feels noisy because life keeps meeting resistance. Dave uses the image of a river to explore the obstacles dads face, from sleepless nights and money worries to self-doubt, stress, and the pressure to provide for a family. The sound of a river comes from water pushing against stones. Those stones redirect the current, create movement, and give the river its voice. In the same way, the challenges of being a dad can shape patience, resilience, compassion, and character. Why Obstacles Matter Every dad carries rocks in his river. Some are small, such as a disrupted schedule, a difficult bedtime, or a missed opportunity. Others feel much heavier, including financial pressure, relationship strain, grief, fear, health concerns, and the sense that you are not doing enough. Dave reminds dads that a difficult season does not mean failure. A dad facing stress, exhaustion, worry, or uncertainty can still be moving forward. He can still learn, adapt, and find a way through. The noise in your life may be uncomfortable, but it can also signal growth and change. Water Is Stronger Than Rock Dave lives near Niagara Falls, where moving water gradually wears away rock. Water finds a path where none existed. It moves around barriers, carves through stone, and changes the landscape over time. That image offers encouragement for fathers. Obstacles may slow you down, but they do not have to stop you. Small steps, honest conversations, new habits, apologies, and requests for help can all become ways to navigate around the rocks in your path. You Do Not Have to Carry It Alone Fatherhood should not be a solo journey. Dave encourages dads to build community, talk openly with other fathers, and seek support when the weight becomes too much. Naming what is causing stress, anger, or worry reduces its power and creates room for a response. Reaching out may look like calling a friend, joining a conversation with other dads, speaking with a partner, or getting help from a professional. Connection matters. Having people along the banks of your river can help you stay on course. The rocks in your river do not mean you are failing as a dad. They are part of the current that shapes your character, deepens your compassion, and pushes you toward growth. Keep moving, let the river change, and let the sounds remind you that change can lead somewhere good. ___ https://dadspace.ca Leave Dave a voice message here! Tell me where you are listening from!? https://www.speakpipe.com/HelloDave music provided by Blue Dot Sessions Song: The Big Ten https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/258270

Episode 281 - How To Handle Death, Grief and Loss with Your Kids and Build Resilience During Grief DadSpace: Losing a Pet and Helping Your Kids Through Grief Dave records a somber episode after the loss of Burton, the family dog of 15 years. The conversation explores the deep bond between families and pets, the physical weight of grief, and how dads can guide children through the death of an animal they love. This episode honors Burton and offers support for any parent facing pet loss, grief, and difficult conversations about death. A Family Says Goodbye Burton, a Jack Russell and Beagle mix, had been part of the Campbell household for 15 years. He became ill suddenly, and the family had to take him to the veterinarian, where he passed away. Dave reflects on the small routines that made Burton part of daily life. His nails clicked across the kitchen floor, he stopped for water beside Dave’s recording space, and he settled into the pallet-wood bed Dave built for him. Those sounds now carry a new meaning in older episodes. What Grief Feels Like Dave describes grief as a physical experience. A lump in the throat, heaviness, and sudden waves of memory can arrive without warning, even while working or trying to stay focused. For listeners who believe losing a pet is easy to move past, Dave is direct: this episode may not be for you. For people who understand the real connection between a family and an animal, the loss can feel profound. Pets Teach Kids Dave encourages parents to consider having a pet because caring for an animal teaches responsibility, connection, discipline, and compassion. His family has chosen adoption whenever possible, and pets have been part of his children’s lives from the beginning. He also shares how past pets shaped his sons. Duke, a German Shepherd, became a safe space for his youngest son. Burton’s death now brings another layer of loss for his adult children, who knew him for much of their lives. Talking Honestly About Death A pet’s death may be a child’s first encounter with death. Dave urges dads to be honest, validate emotions, and avoid telling children to hide their feelings or simply move on. He recommends clear language. Say that a pet died, rather than using phrases such as “went to sleep.” Children need to understand that death is real and permanent, even when the conversation is painful. Every Child Grieves Differently Sadness, anger, guilt, confusion, and even relief can all be normal responses. Dave reminds parents not to expect every child to grieve in the same way or on the same timeline. Kids may want to cry, sit alone, talk constantly, laugh, look at photos, or share memories. Parents can make room for each response without judgment. Create Ways to Remember Dave encourages families to create rituals that honor a pet. His children keep the ashes of past pets near the family piano, alongside photos and names. These small memorials help the family remember that love continues after death. Drawing, storytelling, planting something, creating art, or holding a simple goodbye ceremony can give children a healthy way to express loss. Support at Every Age For children ages three to six, keep explanations simple and concrete. Reassure them that the death was not their fault. For ages seven to 12, invite questions and discuss family beliefs around death. Teenagers may need more space to lead their own remembrance and process intense emotions. If grief disrupts sleep, school, friendships, or daily life for more than a month, consider professional support. Be honest, stay present, and grieve together. When dads show children that feelings matter and love does not end with death, they help their kids build emotional resilience. To Burton, thank you for 15 years of friendship. Dave hopes wherever you are, there are plenty of squirrels. ___ https://dadspace.ca Leave Dave a voice message here! Tell me where you are listening from!? https://www.speakpipe.com/HelloDave music provided by Blue Dot Sessions Song: The Big Ten https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/258270

Episode 280 - The Power of An Apology - 3 Things An Apology Will Do For Others and For You The Power of an Apology An apology can change the direction of a relationship. For dads, saying “I’m sorry” may feel difficult because it requires honesty, responsibility, and the willingness to face the damage caused by words or actions. Yet someone comes to mind when you think about an apology you still owe. You already know who it is. Restoring Trust and Dignity A sincere apology acknowledges that harm occurred. It shows the other person that their feelings matter and that you accept responsibility for your part in the situation. Dave reflects on moments when he acted immaturely toward his children, allowed hurt to control his response, and caused damage within relationships he valued deeply. Those moments cannot disappear, but an apology can begin the work of restoring trust and dignity. It gives both people a place to start again. Reducing Conflict and Resentment Unspoken hurt grows over time. Avoiding the issue allows anger and resentment to settle into the relationship, while a genuine apology can lower defensiveness and create room for a calmer conversation. Apologizing does not erase what happened. It shows that you recognize the impact of your actions and want to address the problem instead of pretending it never occurred. That honesty can bring peace and interrupt the cycle of blame. Rebuilding the Relationship An apology creates a path toward reconnection. Once both people feel heard and respected, they can discuss what went wrong, establish clearer boundaries, and consider how they might handle similar situations differently in the future. Dave encourages dads to think about the relationships that have grown distant because of an unresolved hurt. A missed call, a broken connection, or an awkward silence may point toward the apology that still needs to happen. Making that effort takes courage. It can also free you from guilt and give the relationship a chance to heal. Think about the person who immediately comes to mind when you hear that someone needs to apologize. Then take responsibility and make the first move. A thoughtful apology may not return the relationship to its former state, but it can open the door to trust, peace, and reconnection. ___ https://dadspace.ca Leave Dave a voice message here! Tell me where you are listening from!? https://www.speakpipe.com/HelloDave music provided by Blue Dot Sessions Song: The Big Ten https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/258270

Episode 279 - Celebrating 33 Years of Marriage - 3 Free Things That You Can Do With Your Partner to Celebrate Your Anniversary Celebrating 33 Years of Marriage Dave marks his 33rd wedding anniversary on October 2 and shares three free, meaningful ways couples can celebrate their anniversary without spending money. He reflects on his own journey from a nervous groom to a husband of three decades, then offers practical ideas that prioritize thoughtfulness, memory, and presence over expensive gestures. Why anniversaries matter Dave admits he often loses track of dates because he works night shifts, and he has missed moments he wished he had honored. He encourages listeners to be intentional, plan ahead, and protect these milestones so they do not slip by unnoticed. He frames anniversaries as chances to remember the hard seasons and the joyful ones, and to strengthen the bond that has carried a couple through years of life together. Write a one page letter to your partner The first idea is simple yet powerful. Sit with a pen and paper and write a sincere one page letter to your partner. Reflect on the past year or the span since your last anniversary. Name what it meant to you. Share your hopes, your dreams, and the ways you want to show up better in the relationship. Then read the letters aloud to each other or exchange them and read in silence. Dave recalls leaving handwritten notes on his wife’s car and mailing letters back in 1993, and he says the act of writing unlocked feelings that casual words often miss. This creates a keepsake and deepens connection without costing anything. Take a memory walk to a meaningful place The second idea is to revisit a place that holds story. For Dave, that spot is the pier at Port Dalhousie on Lake Ontario, where he proposed. He suggests walking that same ground again, or returning to where you first met, got engaged, or shared a turning point. If you cannot travel to that exact location, still carve out time to talk through those memories together. He notes that partners often remember details differently, and those conversations spark laughter, tenderness, and renewed appreciation. A coffee along the way is optional. The core value is the shared journey back to your beginning. Host an at home celebration night The third idea is an at home celebration night. Transform your living space into something romantic and focused on the two of you. Play your favorite music or movie. Prepare a meal that carries meaning, perhaps a dish tied to a memory you both love. Let food, music, and film serve as connective tissue that draws out new stories and old joys. Dave stresses that you do not need an extravagant restaurant, expensive champagne, or a grand trip. The most meaningful moments come from undivided time and deliberate attention to the person who has stood with you through illness, financial stress, and life’s toughest trials. Anniversaries thrive on intention, not expense. Choose one of these free practices, put it on your calendar now, and let it rekindle joy in your relationship. Your family will feel the ripple effect when you honor the person who has walked with you through three decades of life. ___ https://dadspace.ca Leave Dave a voice message here! Tell me where you are listening from!? https://www.speakpipe.com/HelloDave music provided by Blue Dot Sessions Song: The Big Ten https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/258270

Episode 278 - At Your Next Parent Teacher Meeting - Ask These 7 Questions and Get A Better Understanding of Your Kid Parent teacher night offers a rare chance to see your child’s world through their teacher’s eyes. Most parents ask generic questions about grades or behavior. This episode gives you seven specific questions that reveal how your child learns, connects, and handles challenges. Use these questions to build a stronger partnership with your teacher and support your child more effectively at home. Why These Questions Work Teachers spend hours observing your child in social and academic settings. They notice patterns you cannot see from home. These seven questions tap into that frontline knowledge. Each question targets a different aspect of your child’s school experience. The answers help you understand your child’s friendships, stress responses, daily rhythms, and willingness to help others. You also learn how to support both your child and their teacher more effectively. The Seven Questions to Ask Start by asking who your child likes to sit with. Teachers see which kids naturally pair up during class, recess, and group projects. Get specific names so you can talk about those friendships at home. Next, ask what your child does when work gets too hard. Do they ask for help, shut down, or act out? This reveals how they handle obstacles and where they might need extra support. Find out who your child goes to when upset. This shows you how they process stress and whether they have trusted adults or peers they turn to in tough moments. Ask when your child is most settled during the day. Kids have natural energy rhythms. Knowing their peak focus times helps you schedule homework, conversations, or activities at home when they are most receptive. Learn what your child does when they get something wrong. Do they shrug it off, argue, hide their work, or spiral? Their response to mistakes shapes their learning mindset. Ask if the teacher has seen your child help someone else. Teachers notice kindness and collaboration. This question often unlocks a positive story you have not heard before. End by asking what you can do at home to help your child and support the teacher. Write the answer down in front of them. This simple act shows you value their input and builds trust. Parent teacher night is not just about grades. It is about understanding your child as a whole person. These seven questions give you a clearer picture of their social world, emotional responses, and learning habits. Use the answers to tailor your support at home and strengthen your partnership with their teacher. ___ https://dadspace.ca Leave Dave a voice message here! Tell me where you are listening from!? https://www.speakpipe.com/HelloDave music provided by Blue Dot Sessions Song: The Big Ten https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/258270