There is never a dull moment as a parent, especially in a world dominated by screens and technology. In this episode, Dave Willis shares how he’s tackling tough conversations with his sons about sex, boundaries, and the dangers of pornography. Plus, he explains how the words you speak as a dad can become your child’s inner voice—for better or for worse.

Key Takeaways:

• The best moments come from undistracted one-on-one interactions where you connect with your kids in their world each day.
• A child’s mind and heart are like wet cement, and the words you say leave lasting impressions.
• It’s important to create a safe, shame-free space to talk about sex and God’s design for the body with your kids.
• Be prepared to guide your kids through a complex digital world filled with AI, robots, and other predatory technology.
• God designed your marriage to flourish.

GUEST:

Dave Willis and his wife, Ashley, are the authors of multiple books including the bestseller, The Naked Marriage. They’re also Christian speakers, marriage coaches, and the hosts of The Marriage on the Line Podcasts. They have four sons and live near Augusta, Georgia.

Key Quotes:

• "Being present in these moments in like every single day looking for the undistracted one-on-one conversation with each kid, trying to connect with them in their world each day. It doesn't have to be big or fancy or structured, but being intentional about that, those tend to be my best moments of the day." [00:05:41]
• "We cannot overestimate the power of our words. And God designed it that way. He created the whole universe using His words... the words we're speaking to our kids, they're gonna become the soundtrack, the inner voice in those kids' heads as they grow. I mean, they're gonna hear our voices for the rest of their lives." [00:01:12]
• "When our kids, what they see in us, they think is healthy and they think it's normal, even if it's totally broken." [00:05:59]
• "Your teaching authority, moral authority, doesn't come from a place of perfection... but they desperately needed to come from a placed of honesty and authenticity to say like, listen, this is where I blew it." [00:25:43]
• "Let's be dads who pass along generational blessing instead of baggage to our kids." (This is from his closing prayer) [00:39:05]

Links mentioned:

• Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome

• Apply to join the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort: Email awesome@dadawesome.org

• Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word “Dad” to (651) 370-8618

• The Naked Marriage by Dave & Ashley Willis

• Raising Boys Who Respect Girls by Dave Willis

• The Marriage on the Line Podcast

• “When I Tell You that I Love You” Poem

• 9 Days to Great Sex Free eBook