Were you ever scared of anything as a kid?

Monsters under the bed. Jumping off the high dive. Walking into school for the first time. Or how about quicksand? Anyone else spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about quicksand as a kid?? Terrifying.

As dads, we’d like to think of ourselves as fearless superheroes in our kids’ eyes, but the truth is, bravery isn’t the absence of fear—it’s choosing to act in the face of it. I tell my kids all the time, you can’t be brave without being afraid.

What Bravery Really Means

Bravery isn’t always about big, bold moves like storming a battlefield or climbing Mount Everest (though hats off to those who do). In the everyday life of a dad, bravery often looks like showing up when it’s hard, having difficult conversations, or admitting when you’re wrong.

To me, bravery sometimes looks like stepping outside your comfort zone to do something your kids insist you do together. It’s about saying “yes” when everything inside you screams “no,” because you know it matters to them.

One of the bravest things we can do as dads is to lead by example in our everyday lives. When we face challenges with faith and determination, we’re teaching our kids what real courage and bravery looks like.

I’ll never forget the time my son had a part in the school play. He was nervous—thedry mouth, not hungry nervous. So, we practiced together, again and again. On the day of the play, I sat in the crowd, holding my breath as he stepped up to the mic. He nailed it. When he finished, he looked over at me, beaming.

That moment taught me something important: bravery isn’t just about me being strong. It’s about helping my kids discover their own strength and celebrating their victories, no matter how small.

Three Ways to Model Bravery for Your Kids

1. Face Your Fears: Whether it’s apologizing (which we already discussed here), trying something new, or admitting you don’t have all the answers, show your kids that it’s okay to feel scared—and okay to take the next step anyway.
2. Stand Up for What’s Right: Whether it’s defending someone in need or teaching your kids to speak up, model integrity and teach them the value of standing firm in their beliefs. It goes even further when they see you defending your wife, their mom. Kids NEED to see their dad standing up for their Mom. More on that in a future post…
3. Celebrate Their Bravery: When your kids show courage, no matter how small, celebrate it. Tell them you’re proud and remind them that every step forward builds strength.

Humor and Bravery

Bravery doesn’t always have to be serious. Sometimes it’s about laughing in the face of fear—like agreeing to try your kids’ “secret recipe” that involves ketchup, gummy bears, and peanut butter.

Bravery can also mean being the dad who dons the ridiculous Halloween costume your kids picked out for you or taking on the neighborhood Slip ‘N Slide challenge, even though you know you’ll regret it later, and feel it in your lower back for days.

At the end of the day, bravery isn’t about being fearless. It’s about showing your kids what it looks like to step up, even when it’s hard. It’s about modeling faith, resilience, and love in the face of challenges.

So, go ahead: Be Brave. Show up for your kids, take the leap, and teach them that bravery isn’t about not being afraid – it’s about moving forward anyway.