Parenting Fun, Summer Jobs & Top Movies
7/10/20253 min read
3 Things I'm Loving, Reading, Watching or Doing
Watch a movie!
The New York Times named Parasite, Mulholland Drive, and There Will Be Blood the best films since 2000, in a diverse top 100 list voted on by 500 filmmakers and critics. Compare it with the Rolling Stone magazine version here.
As a family, we’ve been watching more movies this summer, and I'm counting on this list to save us from the dreaded Netflix search spiral.
Great Read
The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni
I really liked this one. Maybe it's because I grew up Catholic and connected with the faith elements woven throughout, but more than that, it's simply heartwarming. It’s a coming-of-age novel about a boy born with red eyes who faces bullying, friendship, and faith on his journey to self-acceptance. Got me a little teary eyed in some parts.
Summer Jobs
The Summer Job, a Rite of Passage for Teens, May Be Fading Away
According to the article, teens are facing one of the toughest summer job markets in over a decade due to economic uncertainty, reduced seasonal hiring, and a drop in tourism.
I'll count our crew fortunate—four out of our five kids are working this summer, from bussing tables to manning pool gates to running lawn care operations. In fact, two of our boys are currently locked in a heated territorial dispute over pressure washing routes. I'll take this kind of sibling rivalry any day of the week.
2 Quotes Worth Pondering
“I’m not raising grass. I’m raising kids.” — Harmen Killebrew
“People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.” — Dale Carnegie
1 Big Dad Idea
Are we having fun yet?
One of the best parts of being a parent is having fun with your kids. Even in the most sleep-deprived days, there are moments of joy. And despite the warnings of “Just wait until they’re teenagers,” I’ve found these years are the most fun yet. Teens are hilarious, interesting, and bring an unpredictable energy—sometimes with their amazing talents, sometimes with their gloriously dumb decisions.
Of course, it can feel impossible to have fun if you’re constantly stressed, exhausted, or just not feeling your best. Those are real, valid obstacles. But intentionally making space for fun can transform your relationship with your kids and probably your spouse too.
Here are five ways to help you enjoy your kids more, drawn from both personal experience and expert advice:
Perspective – Don’t sweat the small stuff. Kids will do ridiculous things—that’s part of the adventure. Try to laugh instead of getting frustrated because sometimes these moments will become stories you tell for years. Remember, you’re not raising grass; you’re raising kids.
Intentional Planning – Fun doesn’t just happen; you have to create it. Sometimes this means a great family trip, but often times a fun little adventure (say a local hike) doesn’t have to cost a thing. Pro tip: Get familiar with the fun scale because you may need to give a sermon on it occasionally. My family still laughs about the time I preached it in the throes of this tough hike where we took a rather adventurous route to a secluded beach. We emerged from the thicket onto the sand with a few scratches, some blood, and one missing sandal—it felt like the last scene of The Goonies.
Guard Your Energy – You can’t be a fun dad if you’re always running on empty. Prioritize sleep, exercise, and time to recharge.
Be Fully Present – Put the phone down, make eye contact, and enter their world. Lean into what they love, whether it’s anime, sports, memes, or music.
As noted last week, even 10 minutes of undistracted time can lead to moments of laughter and connection.
Say Yes More Often – When they invite you to shoot hoops, watch a silly video, or join their game, say yes whenever you can. It shows you value spending time with them, even if it’s a “Yes, but not right now.” (In fact there’s a whole book devoted to this idea: Never Say No.)
The joy is in the journey, fellas. Sometimes you just have to look a little harder to find it.