455: How to Understand the Dad in Your House (and Yourself) a Little Better // Glen Henry

November 10, 2025

I am constantly learning so much about partnership in parenting.

Ryan came home for lunch the other day, dropped his keys on the counter, and said, “Just so you know, every light in the house is on.”

He wasn’t wrong, but I also hadn’t noticed. 😅

It made me laugh because we really do see such different things. I tend to notice when one of the kids is having an off day or when it’s time for us to slow down and read together before bed. Ryan notices things like energy usage, the sprinklers hitting the driveway, or the sound of the garage door being slightly off.

For a long time, I thought those differences were frustrating—proof that we didn’t see the world the same way. But lately, I’ve been realizing how lucky we are that we don’t. Partnership in parenting doesn’t mean noticing or caring about all the same things; it means valuing what the other person brings to the team.

That truth came up again in my recent conversation with Glen Henry, author of Father Yourself First: Everything You Need to Become the Father Your Family Deserves. Even though Glen wrote his book for dads, so much of what he shares applies to every parent who wants to show up with steadiness and self-awareness.

Here are three of my favorite takeaways from our conversation…

Partnership in Parenting Thoughts from Glen Henry:

1. Accept the invitations your kids give you—because they won’t last forever.

Our children are constantly extending small invitations for connection: “Watch this,” “Come play,” “Can I show you something?” These moments can feel inconvenient, especially when we’re tired or busy, but they’re actually the heartbeat of relationship. Saying yes, or even saying “not right now, but soon,” communicates that their world matters to us—and that’s what builds trust and closeness over time.

2. There’s power in proof.

Our homes might be the only glimpse someone ever gets of what safety and belonging look like. When we invite people into our real lives—messy, imperfect, but full of love—we quietly model what healthy family life can be. Glen shared how seeing another family’s warmth changed his whole perspective on fatherhood, and it reminded me how powerful it can be when we simply live our values in front of others, especially our kids.

3. Let dads do it their way.

Partnership in parenting requires trust and space for both parents to grow. It can be hard to watch someone do things differently, but giving our partner room to learn and lead builds empathy on both sides. As Glen shared through his hilarious weight-lifting analogy, you can’t really understand what your spouse carries until you’ve lifted the weight yourself. And once you do, respect grows naturally.

As for the lights, I’m still trying to be better about turning them off. But if I forget now and then, I remind myself that my strengths show up in other ways. We each bring something unique to our families, and that’s what makes them whole.

What did you think of Glen’s takeaways about partnership in parenting? Comment below!

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Related Episodes like this one on Partnership in Parenting:

About our Guest:

Glen Henry is the creative force behind the beloved YouTube channel Beleaf in Fatherhood, where he blends humor, honesty, and heart to uplift and inspire families around the world. A devoted father of four and visionary storyteller, Glen uses his platform to champion positive parenting and redefine what modern fatherhood looks like. Beyond YouTube, he connects with audiences through social media, workshops, and speaking engagements – encouraging dads to show up with love, purpose, and presence. With his relatable voice and unwavering passion, Glen has become a leading advocate for strong families and meaningful father-child relationships.

Get in Touch with Our Guest:

Website: beleafinfatherhood.com
Instagram: @beleafmel
YouTube: @Beleafinfatherhood
TikTok: @Beleafinfatherhood

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