“I keep telling myself, ‘Tomorrow, I’ll have more fun with my kids,’ or ‘Tomorrow, I won’t check my phone while playing with them.’ But no matter how many times I make that promise, actually following through is another story. What truly helped me focus on parenting was adjusting my environment. Moving the TV to the bedroom and turning the living room into a study, setting up a designated spot for my phone, and even getting an adult ticket at the kids’ café all brought me closer to my child. Just as environment shapes our determination, in parenting, too, setting up the right environment is half the battle.

It’s not always easy for a dad to actively engage in play with his children. But where you play, the kind of setting you create, and the toys you use all matter. Most importantly, who you play with makes the biggest difference. The best parents today aren’t just supervising from the sidelines but actively creating a space where their children can thrive, enjoy, and explore in their own way.”

relationship, environment, parenting