Hey Stoked Dad,

Welcome to Sunday - pour some fresh coffee in your favorite mug and let's get stoked.

1. My youngest has now spent 20 days in the hospital over the past year of her life. It's brutal to watch her sleep with a oxygen and monitor cables attached. We're lucky she'll be just fine. Others aren't so lucky. Cancer, injuries, even chest viruses can shift so much of what it means to be a father. Being a stoked dad isn't always sunshine and the best memories of all time. We have to find ways to bring love and joy even when it means celebrating the 1st birthday in the hospital.

2. How we respond to the stress around us matters. Our kids are constantly watching us, and noticing how we respond to failure, stress, mistakes, etc. I need to remind myself to take a few deep breaths before reacting to things. I want to model handling the storms of life well for my girls, so they can do the same.

3. Just a friendly reminder, get off that damn phone around the kids. Be present, be focused on them. Nothing on that piece of glass could be more important than our children.

"There are some painters who transform the sun into a yellow spot, but there are other painters who with the help of their art and their intelligence, transform a yellow spot into the sun." — Picasso

Be stoked my friend,

Kris

P.S. - I’m focused on getting better and growing a stoked dad community with each dispatch. If you liked these, it would mean a ton if you shared it with someone else.