The Most Important Investment You’ll Ever Make
“Family is not an important thing, it’s everything.”
– Michael J. Fox
In a world that never stops moving, it’s easy to believe that success means more hours, more hustle, more output.
But here’s the truth every dad needs to hear:
You’re not just building a career. You’re building a life.
And at the center of that life—your family.
More specifically, your kids.
We often say we’re working for them, but too many of us forget to be with them.
How many times do you spend extra time at the office convincing yourself that you are working hard for the family?
How many times do you have your head buried in your iPad or iPhone with the excuse that you have to get one more email completed?
How many times have you missed a birthday, a baseball game, or a parent-teacher conference because you were out of town or traveling?
Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying throw away that next promotion, or not meet your commitments at work. I am saying, do not prioritize your work over your family too easily.
This week’s Dad Hack is simple:
Spend time with your family—and truly enjoy them.
Not just when it’s convenient. Not just when you’ve “earned a break.”
Spend time with them every day, even in small, intentional ways.
The most powerful lessons you’ll ever teach your kids won’t come from lectures.
They’ll come from shared time, real attention, and meaningful presence.
This newsletter gives you three simple strategies to put that into action:
- How to start their day with connection instead of distraction
- Why evening screen-free time creates emotional safety
- And the power of letting your child choose a weekly adventure to bond and grow together
These aren’t just tips. They’re tools for legacy.
Let’s dive in—and remember:
You can’t rewind time. But you can choose how you use it today.
Be present. Be intentional. Be their dad.
Mornings Matter – Start Their Day With You
“The way you start your day can shape how you live it.”
– The Day Warrior
Your kids wake up needing direction, connection, and confidence. And the best part? You don’t need to add an hour to your schedule to give it to them.
Start their day with you—not a screen.
Instead of morning chaos or everyone scrolling separately, try this:
- Sit down and eat breakfast together—even if it’s quick.
- Ask what they’re excited or nervous about today.
- Walk them to the bus or ride to school together without distractions.
That short window of connection grounds them—and you.
You’re not just helping them start the day—you’re showing them that they matter more than your to-do list.
This is why I wake up early on the weekends. I spend two to three hours at the local coffee shop getting my work done before the family wakes up. This creates an opportunity for me to accomplish my work before they wake up. It removes potential distractions, allowing me to balance my work with my priority of being present with my family.
It’s not about perfection.
It’s about being there.
Evenings Are for Reconnection – 30 Screen-Free Minutes
“Children spell love: T-I-M-E.”
– Dr. Anthony P. Witham
By the end of the day, we’re often running on fumes.
But your kids? They’ve been waiting for this moment: your attention.
I had my children much later in life.
After a long day of work and focus, my kids are still going strong.
Desiring my attention.
This is when I have to focus the most. It is so easy to cut them off and sit on the sofa.
The excuses come easily.
I worked hard today.
I had numerous fights at work.
I was up at 5 AM.
Instead you have to get off your butt.
When they ask you to play catch after a long day of work, dig deep and make it happen.
When they have questions that divert your attention from relaxation, engage with them and focus on them in that moment.
If they have forgotten their homework that is due the next day, remain patient, dig deeper, remind them of the importance of completing their homework, and then help them. The opportunities to help them with their homework will be gone before you know it
He is a helpful hint you can try: After dinner, turn off all screens for 30 minutes.
No phones. No TV. No distractions.
Instead, try:
- Playing a board game or inventing your own
- Reading a book together—even older kids enjoy stories.
- Talking about the best and most challenging parts of the day
These 30 minutes create a safe emotional space.
You’re showing your kids that connection isn’t something you fit in—it’s something you prioritize.
My kids often complain when I recommend this time together. Mainly because they want to watch their TV programs, I can always tell later that they value the time with Dad and Mom.
This daily pause becomes the anchor they look forward to—and the one they’ll remember years from now.
Let Them Lead – The Weekly Mini-Adventure
“Sometimes the best memories are the ones your child gets to create.”
– The Day Warrior.
Here’s a fun shift in control:
Once a week, let your child choose the adventure.
Ask them:
- “What do you want to do this weekend?”
- “Where should we go—just us?”
- “If you could pick any activity, what would it be?”
Their answers may surprise you:
- Donuts and a walk
- Building a Lego set together
- Exploring a local park
- Watching bugs, clouds, or stars
- A trip to the library to find a “cool book”
When they get to lead, they feel valued.
You’re giving them a voice, confidence, and something far more rare in today’s world: undivided attention from Dad.
It’s not about big budgets or long trips.
It’s about small moments that become core memories.
Two real-life examples from my family this past week were both related to cooking.
My youngest cooked twice.
First, he baked some desserts for the family. Cream scones.
He searched for the recipe in his cookbook.
Then he got busy next to his mom in the kitchen as she prepared for next week’s farmer’s market.
They turned out great, and we enjoyed them as a family.
He was so proud of his accomplishment.
Yesterday, his older brother was hungry.
He jumped to attention and said he would make lunch.
It was just a basic meal—cheese sandwiches.
But he owned the whole thing. Even heated them in the toaster.
He knew I was watching. I gave him a few hints, like showing him how he could fit both sandwiches in the toaster at the same time.
He knew his limits; for example, he asked his brother to get the hot sandwiches out of the toaster.
Maybe these examples are not adventures, but they are stories about how kids can create moments of ownership in the family.
Conclusion: Your Presence Is the Greatest Gift
“Your children need your presence more than your presents.”
– Jesse Jackson
At the end of the day, your kids won’t remember how many meetings you had or how clean the garage was.
They’ll remember the laughter at breakfast.
The quiet conversation before bed.
The adventure they got to choose—just the two of you.
Time is how love is spelled in the language of childhood.
It is not about doing more.
It is about choosing better.
Small, intentional moments.
Giving your full attention.
Giving your undivided presence.
When you invest time in your family, the return is a lifelong connection, trust, and love.
Spend time with your family—and truly enjoy them.
Not someday.
Today.
Stay present, stay grounded, and stay strong.
The Day Warrior
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– The Day Warrior.
