Why play matters: Play is how kids communicate their inner world. It’s not just fun—it’s expressive, healing, and relational.

Responding vs. reacting: How slowing down and tuning in builds trust and emotional regulation.

Connection before correction: When children act out, it’s often a bid for connection—not defiance.

Scheduled unstructured time: Just 15–30 minutes of fully present, screen-free play each week can transform your parent-child relationship.

The bedtime battle decoded: Why your kid isn’t actually “hungry”—they just want you near.

Repetition as revelation: Repetitive play often reveals emotional needs or stressors.

Father-daughter bonds: Why a dad’s role in a daughter’s life is especially formative for her confidence and sense of worth.

Parent repair moments: It's not about being perfect—it’s about coming back later to reconnect and repair when you miss the mark.

Creating playful structure: Code words, rituals, and small gestures go a long way in strengthening bonds.

LINKS:

• https://center4playtherapy.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidschatzkamer/

Takeaways

Showing up means being present physically and mentally.

It's important to take time for yourself before engaging with family.

Micro moments of presence can be just as impactful as macro moments.

Barriers to showing up include work stress and distractions.

Creating routines can help facilitate being present.

Apologizing to children strengthens the parent-child bond.

Modeling behavior for kids teaches them how to show up.

Intentionality in parenting is crucial for connection.

Finding balance between work and family is a constant challenge.

Showing up is a journey of progress, not perfection.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Fatherhood Challenges

02:03 Defining 'Showing Up' as a Parent

06:01 Personal Routines for Effective Parenting

10:05 Micro vs. Macro Moments of Showing Up

14:00 Barriers to Showing Up

19:58 Strategies for Overcoming Obstacles

24:19 Morning Rituals and Intentionality

27:18 The Importance of Presence and Connection

30:05 Family Time: Prioritizing Relationships

37:20 Overcoming Barriers to Showing Up

41:13 Moments of Pride in Showing Up

45:12 Modeling Presence for Future Generations

What We Talk About:

• What parenting a teenager teaches you about emotional honesty
• Rebuilding your creative life as a form of self-care
• How small acts of art can create connection
• Giving your kids permission to see you as human
• Balancing business, boundaries, and being present
• Creating without pressure and parenting without perfection

Resources & Mentions:

• PodcastConnections.co — Noémi’s podcast booking service
• Noémi’s return to mixed media art (discussed throughout the episode)

This Week’s Gentle Nudge:
Make something this week—just for yourself. A doodle, a note, a playlist. Let your kid see you do it.

👵 Why involved grandparents can boost kids’ confidence, social skills, and emotional wellbeing
🎯 The gap between how you want to parent and how your parents might grandparent
🧁 The power of Sunday muffins, last-minute babysitting, and everyday grandparent magic
💬 What happens when expectations go unspoken and why clear communication is everything
🫱 Creating space for healthy boundaries with extended family
🧠 Acknowledging tricky situations like loss, distance, or toxic relationships with grace
🧓 Legacy and connection: how grandparents, aunts, uncles, and “chosen family” teach kids they’re loved and lovable
🧑‍🍳 A story about a restaurant run by Italian nonnas… and why food is cultural memory
🎣 Fishing trips, life advice, and the simple power of being present

Big Ideas

• “It takes a village” isn’t just a saying—it’s a challenge to build one
• Relationships are the foundation. Connection is the goal
• Communicate early, clearly, and with empathy—especially when integrating parenting styles
• Show up. Be present. That’s enough

Website & Full Bio
mattedmundson.com

LinkedIn
Accessible via his site, but confirmed: linkedin.com/in/mattedmundson

Instagram
@mattedmundson

The eCommerce Podcast (hosted by Matt)

Also widely available on Spotify and other platforms

🧠 Topics Covered:

• What gentle parenting actually means
• The difference between permissive and respectful
• Why “being the adult” doesn’t mean being the boss
• Handling triggers without shame
• How we model emotional regulation
• Where we’ve gotten it wrong—and what we’ve learned
• Why connection gives your discipline more power

🎯 This episode is for:

• Dads trying to be intentional but overwhelmed
• Parents unsure about the “soft” stuff
• Anyone who’s yelled then regretted it
• Folks wondering if respectful parenting is too nice

🔑 What We Talk About:
Why “being there” isn’t always easy, but it always matters
How dads carry pressure to fix things instead of just be there
The pilot-in-turbulence metaphor that redefined Nick’s parenting mindset
Learning to shift from resentment to gratitude in daily chaos
Accepting failure and showing your kids that love is consistent, not perfect

💥 This Week’s Challenge:
Next time you walk into chaos after a long day, take a breath. Instead of trying to fix everything, try just being present — tired, imperfect, but available.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe:
Find Why, Dad? on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you stream your podcasts.
Follow us on Instagram @whydadpod for real dad talk, one post at a time.

What We Talk About:
🧠 Why mental health maintenance (not just crisis response) is essential
🥦 How nutrition, sleep, and blood sugar affect emotional regulation
🏋️ The connection between movement, play, and showing up well as a dad
🧃 Why your discipline slips when your energy does
💬 Modeling emotional health for your kids by doing your own inner work
🎯 Letting go of shame and starting small when building healthy habits

Quotes from the Episode:

“We think discipline is about our kids—but we need it for ourselves first.”
“You can’t regulate your kid’s nervous system if yours is shot from no sleep and four donuts.”
“Therapy isn’t a fix button. It’s maintenance for the mind.”

This Week’s Challenge:
Take inventory of one area: sleep, nutrition, movement, or emotional processing. What’s one step you could take this week to support your health so you can better support your family?