Dads do make the difference in a child’s life. Do you remember your father? Was he set on toughening you up? Maybe he was a little harsh, but he wanted you to be safe in the world. Some dads weren’t around much, leaving most of the parenting to moms. And some people grew up without a dad at all. How did that affect you as a child?

Today’s dads tend to be different, too soft or gentle sometimes. Or sometimes too traditional. They might struggle to find just the right balance. And a highly sensitive dad can be especially challenged by parenting.

Kids need a Redwood Tree Dad. And families without dads, need non-mom adults in their lives to be the Redwood tree. The primary parent can also be a Redwood tree, but if there is only one mom, it’s not ideal (she has a different job.)

What is a Redwood Tree Dad? He stands tall and strong. His roots are widespread, connecting with all the other trees (mentoring adults) in the child’s life, offering them nourishment and support so they flourish and have all the resources they need to support the child. He sees the broad scope of the child’s life since he is so much taller than the rest of the forest.

WHAT ATTENDEES HAVE SAID:

• I spent a lot of time with my dad growing up, as he was a teacher where I went to school and therefore, all breaks off were with him too. We spent a lot of time outdoors with my dad, who was an avid outdoorsman, which I am so grateful for.
• I’ve come to realize through my personal growth work that I have been anxiously attached to my dad for much of my life, aiming to please my very quick to be irritable dad!! He would often express frustration at my high sensitivity, whether worries about things or questions or noticing or feeling things.
• I’m so grateful for my dad’s curiosity and so many of our adventures - he was really pretty calm and ‘redwood’-like for me - I recall walking in the evenings holding his two fingers :)
• My dad was pretty authoritarian, and I was afraid of him at the same time as I felt the love!
• My son has lots of relationships with neighborhood adults, and he is now able to name when his dad is, ‘a bit grumpy right now’ and maybe he needs a bit of space.
• My parents were a combo of over protective and dismissive.