talk about me to his friends. It’s those small, everyday things that mean the most.
Fairhope, Alabama, which is a resort. There are egg hunts and kids’ events running constantly. Another tradition we love is on Christmas. After we open gifts in the morning, we host an open-door gathering at our house. People come and go throughout the day and night, and it turns into an all-day, all-night celebration. It’s probably my favorite tradition because we get to see so many people we care about, and all the kids have a great time.
one person I can help. That’s the value I most want my kids to carry. Whether it’s a friend asking for help or even a stranger, I want them to be quick to step in and serve others.
WHAT PARENTING LESSON ARE YOU STILL LEARNING?
DAN: Patience is a big part of it. I’ve become very patient with my 12-year-old and my four-year-old, and I’ve learned that I have to approach my two-year-old a little differently because each child requires something unique. HOW DO YOU STAY PRESENT AND CONNECT WITH YOUR KIDS DURING BUSY SEASONS? DAN: It’s a work in progress, and it’s a moving target because it changes with the busyness of my career and with the kids’ schedules and what’s going on in their lives. I wouldn’t be able to be half as successful in my career without my wife. She manages our household, she’s my champion. When I’m home, I try to be fully present and I put my phone down. The only time I’ll pick it up is if it’s a true emergency. When I’m in meetings or working, I’m 100 percent focused on that. And when I’m done, I shift fully back to my kids and family. WHAT FAMILY TRADITIONS MEAN THE MOST TO YOU? DAN: Every Easter, we go to The Grand in
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE NEW DADS WHO
RAPID-FIRE QUESTIONS Favorite spot for date night… movies. One word that best describes your family… vibrant. Favorite food… steak. Favorite movie… A River Runs Through It . ARE TRYING TO FIND THEIR FOOTING? DAN: I’d say this is the hardest thing for me to do, but also one of the most important: listening instead of assuming I already know what a child is asking or going through. It means taking a step back in the moment, really listening, asking questions, and waiting for them to fully finish their answer. Kids will often say things that surprise you, and you can miss what matters most to them if you’re not careful. Sometimes it’s easy to default to raising them the way your parents raised you, but I’ve learned how important it is to slow down and truly listen to who they are and what they’re saying.
WHAT’S ONE THING YOU HOPE YOUR CHILDREN
REMEMBER ABOUT THEIR CHILDHOOD? DAN: I hope they remember that we were a faith-centered family and the principles we tried to live by in pursuing a Christlike life. I hope that when they’re grown and have families of their own—whether they’re going through difficult seasons or celebrating good ones—they remember that their blessings come from God. We have a lot to be grateful for, and there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. WHAT VALUES ARE MOST IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO PASS DOWN TO YOUR CHILDREN? DAN: Service to others is the most important thing I can pass down to my kids. For me, it’s the purest expression of spirituality, and it also brings confidence, gratitude, and peace of mind. My goal each day is to find at least
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