I’m not a professional writer by trade—just a 50-year-old business owner, devoted husband, and proud dad to two energetic boys, ages 6 and 8. For much of my life, I was a rolling stone, and when I had my first boy at 41, I felt lost and uncertain about my role as a parent. After a period of therapy that opened my eyes and introduced me to some fantastic literature, I dove into countless books on raising kids.

What I discovered was that the advice often felt scattered, repetitive, and too long-winded—especially for a busy dad like me. I also realized that moms and dads need to parent differently. With my boys growing up fast and my time increasingly limited, I began teaching them one simple idea at a time during our car rides. For instance, I’d say, “Integrity: do the right thing even if no one is looking, and you’ll feel great about yourself,” and we’d talk it out. I also shared quick tips on being a good listener so that people naturally want to be around them. To my surprise, they not only understood these lessons—they started implementing them. I made it a point to find excuses for car rides, whether it was to get ice cream or explore a new park, so we could hash out these ideas together.