Ep 246: David Thomas: Raising Capable Kids

David Thomas — co-founder of Daystar Counseling and co-author of the new book Capable — joins Levi and Jennie to unpack why chasing our kids' happiness might actually be setting them up to fail. From three kids under age two to a grandmother who asked one piercing question his whole life, David breaks down the "three C's" (coping, competence, challenges) and why loving our kids sometimes means letting them struggle. Plus: the running story that changed how he parents. Connect with us on social! David: @raisingboysandgirls Levi: @levilusko Jennie: @jennielusko Fresh Life Church: @freshlife [Links] Check out David & Sissy's book, Capable: https://bit.ly/4htx7uA Check out the I Am Capable workbook: https://bit.ly/4wTQLEZ Raising Boys and Girls podcast & tour info: https://bit.ly/3TRpd4r Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Get the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe Time Stamps: 00:00:00 – Welcome David Thomas (no, not the Wendy's guy) 00:04:23 – How a running family got made, mile by mile 00:07:08 – The accidental path from advertising major to child counselor 00:12:57 – Grandma's question: "Did you make yourself useful today?" 00:16:54 – Why chasing happiness sets kids up for a hard adulthood 00:25:37 – Inside the new book: Capable 00:31:30 – Pampering vs. preparing: the parenting swing to avoid 00:37:11 – The three C's: coping, competence, challenges 00:46:23 – "Moving outward": the coping strategy his daughter taught him 00:52:52 – Capable Connections: what sons need from mom, daughters need from dad