Let’s face it.  Most kids live on their cell phones today.  It is the means they use to communicate feelings whether it is a picture, a video, a link, or a short text.  Get used to it dads and embrace it.   Lucky for us,  only takes a little teaching and in less than 15 minutes today we can strengthen our connection with our children.

Every Day

  • Send them a link to something spiritual/up-lifting.  No response from them required and don’t be disappointed if they don’t reply.  The connection is still effective.   If you send several over a two week span and get no responses you can ask them if they forwarded or liked any of the links.   If you still don’t get them to engage, reduce the cadence to once a month and find another means below.
  • Send them a controversial topic ask and ask them what side they are on.   If they engage, do not debate them.  Support their choice, however let them know what side you are on.   If it troubles you what side they select, park it for a month and bring up the discussion while Breaking bread.   Mix in the deeper topics (political, spiritual, human rights, etc) with light topics (Krispy Kreme or Dunkin' Donuts and Why?)
  • Find something on YouTube that is educational (news, health, geology) and send them a link.   If they ask questions, engage.  If they don’t, you missed and your done.  Find something more interesting next time!
  • Send a selfie along with a humorous text.   LOL or OMG are acceptable responses.    Be careful with the selfie as they “might” send it along to others.
  • Buy their favorite ringtone.  Associate it exclusively with your number on their phone.  Call them (and leave them a short message because they won’t answer).  If they happened to pick up, ask them what they are up to and simply tell them you were thinking about them.  Limit the conversation to 30 seconds or less or they WILL NOT pick up again.
  • Start a social site and only invite your kids to view.   Post stuff to the site you want all your kids to see.   This is a force multiplier. If you are already on LinkedIn and Facebook there are plenty of others to choose from.   My suggestion?    Google+.   Already using this with others?   MySpace (no one use it).
  • Find information on sport/hobby they enjoy and send them a link you think might provide them an insight they may not already know.
  • Tell them something special about their mom.   Struggling here?   It can be subtle.   How about “I can’t believe how hard mom works” or “I can’t believe mom has the patience to do all of that homework with you” or “mom’s dinner was the bomb tonight ” or “when do you think mom will make us all do our own laundry”.
  • Encourage them.   Again, this can be subtle and not to look to trite you can tie it into a response they might provide you on 1-8 above.   “Your are hilarious”.   “I never thought of that – brilliant!”.   “You look amazing in that picture”.   “You played your tail off – I’m so proud of you”.   “Good luck in your test today – you  deserve an A”.
  • Send them an audio recording (five seconds or less).    Can create your own or find one on the web. 


Need more ideas…let’s not get crazy.  Pick three of ten a day and in fifteen minutes a day you will build a stronger connection with your children.

Oh….and what not to do..  This is important and hence in all CAPS.   DO NOT PLAY IN THEIR WORLD.  SNAPCHAT, VINE, TWITTER, ETC ARE STRICTLY OFF LIMITS FOR FATHER-SON/DAUGHTER EXCHANGES UNLESS YOUR CHILDREN ARE 18+.  THESE ARE UNIVERSES WHERE YOUR KIDS EXCHANGE WITH THEIR FRIENDS.   IT’S SACRED GROUND.   KEEP YOUR DISTANCE.





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