The Challenge of Connecting with Your Kids, with Bernadett Nagy

Many men feel pressure to become the father they wish they'd had. Others find connecting with their children increasingly challenging as both they and their kids grow older. But in all cases, men can be deeply self-critical as parents. Fatherhood is often both the most beautiful and the most challenging role in a man’s life, and to expect to be the perfect dad is unrealistic. This week Paul talks to life and relationship coach Bernadett Nagy, who argues that children do not need perfect fathers. Instead they need fathers who are present, self-aware, willing to grow and brave enough to be human. She says that becoming a good dad is not something that happens the moment a child is born, but something created daily through presence, self-awareness and emotional growth. There is a tension many fathers feel between being strong, authoritative and in control, while also being vulnerable, playful and emotionally available, and we explore why children often need fathers to stop fixing problems and simply sit with them, listen and hold space. We also talk about disconnection between dads and children, especially as children grow older, become more independent and spend more time online, and how we can tackle this in a way that creates the connections that most dads want and need. --------------- If you’ve found this episode insightful or interesting, you can support the show at www.ko-fi.com/middlemanpodcast I'd love to hear about your experiences, so if you'd like to get in touch email me at [email protected] and let me know what's on your mind or sign up to the newsletter at www.middlemanpodcast.com Middle Man on Instagram: @middleman__podcast