Child grooming is a serious issue and much more common than most dads realize. About 90% of victims are groomed by someone they know. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about how to protect your kids from child grooming.

Why This Matters
Grooming can feel like an “it will never happen to me” thing, but it’s much more common than most dads know.

Key Takeaways

· Grooming happens primarily online: According to the Child Crime Prevention and Safety Center, there are an estimated 500,000 predators online every day.

· Groomers play the long game: Predators often invest years in grooming victims.

· Groomers use tools: The most common are online anonymity, establishing trust, pushing isolation, and finding leverage. They then attempt to push physical boundaries.

Signs of Grooming Dads Should Know
1. LOOK FOR when your child receives a lot of attention from a person.
2. LOOK FOR when your child becomes isolated.
3. LOOK FOR when your child exhibits unusual behavior.
4. LOOK FOR when your child becomes more desensitized to crude humor and content.
5. LOOK FOR when your child has an aversion to a certain person.

Important Episode Timestamps

00:00 – 01:09 | What Is Grooming? A Clear Definition for Parents

01:09 – 02:46 | The Larry Nassar Case and Why It Still Matters to Dads

02:46 – 05:08 | Grooming Doesn’t Look Like a Stranger in a Van

05:08 – 10:39 | Online Grooming and the Danger of Anonymity

10:39 – 12:21 | To Catch a Predator Was Just the Beginning

12:21 – 15:14 | Real-Life Grooming Stories from Trusted Adults

15:14 – 16:36 | Isolation Is the Biggest Red Flag

16:36 – 17:57 | Behavioral Changes That Signal Possible Grooming

17:57 – End | Teaching Kids Boundaries, Consent, and Trusting Their Instincts

APD Pro Move:
Talk to your kids about these tactics so they know what’s appropriate and what’s not.

All Pro Dad Resources

Episode 66 – How To Talk To Your Kids About Sex

5 Lies Teen Boys Believe About Sex

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BJ Foster on LinkedIn

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Kids’ fears grow up with them. Babies fear loud noises and separation, young kids battle monsters in the dark, and older kids worry about fitting in at school. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about our kids’ fears and how dads can help guide them through it all.

Why This Matters
When kids are afraid, they need help processing their feelings.

Key Takeaways

· Fear and worry are different: Fear is a present problem while worry is a future problem.

· Bullying is #1: Pew Research conducted between 2020–25 showed virtually all kids fear being bullied.

· Failure is terrifying: As kids age, the idea they won’t succeed becomes a major fear for many kids.

Practical Tips for Dads
When your kids are fearful, try these action steps:

1. Acknowledge Their Fear.

2. Ask Why This Scares Them.

3. Consider Your Words.

Important Episode Timestamps

00:00 – 02:33 | Childhood Fears That Stick With Us

02:33 – 05:36 | Fear of Losing Parents as a Kid

05:36 – 07:11 | Common Fears Kids Have Today

07:11 – 09:01 | When Childhood Fear Turns Serious

09:01 – 11:54 | Fear vs. Courage: What Dads Should Teach Kids

11:54 – 13:36 | How Fear of Failure Starts Early

13:36 – 15:32 | How to Talk to Kids About Fear

15:32 – 17:20 | How Parents Accidentally Create Anxiety

17:20 – 21:22 | Why Overprotecting Kids Backfires

21:22 – End | Helping Kids Build Courage and Resilience

APD Pro Move:
The next time your kids say they’re afraid, tell them about a time you were afraid. Tell them how you showed bravery in the moment and encourage them to do the same.

All Pro Dad Resources

Episode 2: How Can I Help My Anxious Kid?

4 Responses That Turn Scared Kids Into Brave Kids

5 Ways to Raise A Son Who’ll Overcome His Fears

5 Fears We Pass On To Our Kids

The 9 Most Common Childhood Fears Explained

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Connect with Us:

Ted Lowe on LinkedIn

Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn

BJ Foster on LinkedIn

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EXTRAS:

Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)

Join 200,000+ other dads by subscribing to the All Pro Dad Play of the Day.
Get daily fatherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration straight to your inbox.

This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com.

Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.

Get great content for moms at iMOM.com

Finances. Job performance. Relationship strife. All of those things impact your stress. Do you know how to handle it? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about the plague of dad stress and how vital it is for men to manage it well.

Why This Matters
When you’re stressed out, you’re not at your best for your kids.

Key Takeaways

· There’s no single culprit: Finances, their jobs, and relationships are consistently listed as the top three stressors for men.

· There are 3 kinds of stress: Acute, episodic, and chronic. All three impact dads differently.

· There are ways to deal with it: Methods like slow breathing and pausing help men manage their stress.

· Short-term stress can be good: It helps your immune system fight.

Stress Relief for Dads: Simple Mental Health Tips That Actually Work

1. When you’re stressed, breathe.

2. Name your stress.

3. Talk about it.

4. Pour into yourself

Important Episode Timestamps

00:00 – 02:40 | Stressed-Out Dads and Teenage Reactions

02:40 – 05:42 | “I’m More Stressed Than I Realize”

05:42 – 07:03 | What Stress Really Is

07:03 – 10:10 | The Top 3 Stressors for Men

10:10 – 11:38 | The Work–Life Balance Spiral

11:38 – 14:11 | When Your Stress Spills Onto Your Family

14:11 – 16:48 | Kids Know When Dad Is Stressed—Even If He Doesn’t

16:48 – 20:26 | You’re Modeling Stress Management

20:26 – 23:50 | Real, Scientific Breathing

23:50 – End | Becoming a Calmer Dad

APD Pro Move:
1) Practice breathing. Inhale twice and exhale slowly.

2) Find a trusted person you can lean on to talk about your stress.

All Pro Dad Resources:

Episode 31 – Tony Dungy: Is Work-Life Balance Even Possible?

5 Things You Don’t Need to Stress About as a Dad

How to Reduce the Stress Level in Your Life

iMOM Feel Wheel

We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!

Connect with Us:

Ted Lowe on LinkedIn

Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn

BJ Foster on LinkedIn

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

Get All Pro Dad merch!

EXTRAS:

Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)

Join 200,000+ other dads by subscribing to the All Pro Dad Play of the Day.
Get daily fatherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration straight to your inbox.

This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com.

Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.

Get great content for moms at iMOM.com