What Will They Love? The Unexpected Joy of Watching Your Children Discover Themselves

Ever had that moment when you suddenly realize your child has become their own person? That's exactly what we explore in this episode, sharing the hilarious and heartwarming ways our kids surprise us with their emerging personalities and unexpected passions.

Mark takes us through a weekend of revelations - from his three-year-old son becoming inexplicably obsessed with bull riding after a chance encounter at a restaurant ("Not now mom, I'm watching bull riding!") to his daughter secretly mastering ballet and stunning everyone as the lead in her recital. These moments of discovery aren't just entertaining; they're windows into who our children are becoming when we're not looking.

We dive deep into the world of kids and sports, questioning our motivations as dads for enrolling them in activities and debating the fine line between healthy encouragement and toxic pressure. Why do sports mean so much to us? Is it about reliving our glory days, teaching valuable life skills, or simply providing opportunities for our kids to find what lights them up?

The conversation takes an unexpectedly touching turn when we reflect on our own childhood experiences with sports and our fathers' involvement (or lack thereof). We discover how these memories shape our approach to parenting today, particularly in how we show up for our kids' activities and handle the crucial moments after games or performances.

Whether you're cheering from the sidelines, helping with homework, or sitting through countless bull riding videos on YouTube, this episode reminds us that parenting isn't about shaping our kids into who we want them to be—it's about creating space for them to reveal who they truly are, and the privilege we have in witnessing those magical moments of self-discovery.