Bring Back Big Families

A dad’s mind is a tool that needs constant sharpening. In a big family, where questions fly from “Why is the sky blue?” to “Daddy, in what situations would I need a gas mask?” (you might laugh, but that’s a real question from my eight-year-old/survivalist son), intellectual strength means staying curious and informed. By always learning, you equip yourself to guide your kids, solve problems, and model a love for knowledge.

Why Intellectual Strength Matters

Your kids rely on you for answers or at least for knowing how to find them. A sharp mind helps you navigate parenting challenges, from understanding preteen trends to budgeting for a big family. Plus, learning keeps you engaged and sets an example for your kids to never stop growing.

Practical Ways to Stay Sharp

1. Read Daily: Spend 15 minutes reading something, anything at all, like books (even children’s books can teach you things!), magazine articles (I love old fashioned magazines), or even a theology (or dad life) blog. Try classic literature (like James Joyce, whom I’m reading now) or a Texas Monthly article (you don’t even have to be a Texan, though it helps) or modern parenting books. Share insights with your kids.
2. Learn with Your Kids: Tackle a new skill together, like cooking a new recipe or fixing a bike. It’s bonding and brain-building in one.
3. Stay Curious: When your kid asks a tough question, don’t fake it. Look it up together. Show them learning is a lifelong adventure.
4. Limit Mindless Media: Swap 30 minutes of scrolling for a podcast or documentary. Choose content that challenges you, like history or science or, my personal favorite, classic literature (English teachers, I swear).
5. Teach What You Know: Share your expertise with your kids, whether it’s basic carpentry or car repair or coding or writing or whatever. Teaching reinforces your own knowledge and inspires them.

The Lifelong Learner

Intellectual strength isn’t about being the smartest guy in the room; it’s about showing your kids that growth never stops. When they see you wrestle with a new idea or admit you don’t know something but will learn, they’ll embrace learning too. Your sharp mind shapes theirs.

Share your thoughts on staying intellectually sharp as a dad down below or over on X.

Father’s Day Toast

To conclude my Dad Strong series, I’d like to salute all the dads out there showing their dad strength on a daily basis. Wishing y’all the happiest of Happy Father’s Days! Cheers to you! Celebrate by taking a few extra minutes to yourself today, or celebrate by surrounding yourself with your kids. I’ll raise a glass to all dads out there today!

P. S. I’d like to share the note I included to my family on this week’s menu (I always try to include a little personal note to my family on each week’s menu. I really liked this week’s, so I’m sharing it here):

I am so thankful to celebrate my 12th Father’s Day! I know you guys stress me out to the max and I sometimes lose my temper on you guys, but like I told your brother just yesterday when I asked him if he knew how much I loved him and he held up four fingers saying it was four out of five, I told him it was four million out of five. Even that’s not a high enough number to show how much love I have for all of you! Nothing makes me prouder than being your dad. Thanks to all of you for making me a father! Special thanks to momma for putting her body through the wringer to make me a six-time dad!