What Thinking Dads Is All About
Hey friends! I'm Mike, the founder of Thinking Dads. Please allow me to share with you how all this started.
Mike Ayers with daughter, Kaley
According to Pew Research, 6 out of 10 fathers say instilling morals and values in their children is "extremely important" to them. They view this as their most important role, even above providing financially (read the data). So, why is it so tough to find parenting advice that truly helps dads achieve this?
When I searched for fatherhood resources online, I found few that aligned with my values and addressed key topics in a rational, conservative, and honest way. I grew frustrated with the "nurtured-heart" advice from so-called experts who seemed to expect fathers to coddle their children rather than lead them. For example, here's a quote from a popular parenting podcast:
"We are backing away from the words "limits" or "boundaries" because they can be a slippery slope away from peaceful parenting collaboration and toward sugar-coated control."
Dads, we know you know better! We believe the prevailing parenting narratives—shaped by woke ideologies, unchecked child indulgence, moral relativism, and the growing sexualization of children—are damaging to the well-being of families. The gap in this space inspired me and a team of advisors to create Thinking Dads—a platform dedicated to promoting a neo-traditional approach to fatherhood. We push back against the conformist culture and the ineffective parenting advice of our day, embracing values of faith, family, morality, and masculinity. Our mission is to support fathers who prioritize reason, common sense, and strong principles, even when it means standing against the mob.
Browse through the articles on our blog, and you’ll find tough topics addressed with research-backed insights and practical relevance—designed to equip you for the journey ahead, all while staying true to your core values.
Just so you're clear, here’s what Thinking Dads is NOT about:
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Fatherhood devoid of compassion and full of authoritarianism. We believe in strong, decisive leadership, but it’s rooted in love, respect, and responsibility. It's in the balance of authority and affection dads find their strength and serve their children best.
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False science or baseless trends. Our advice is grounded in research, proven principles, and practical, common-sense approaches—no fads or ideological agendas.
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Making kids the center of the universe. Too much modern parenting revolves around an excessive focus on a child’s wants and feelings. We believe in raising well-rounded kids who respect authority, love themselves and others, and grow up to contribute to society—not live as entitled, self-centered individuals.
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Leaving you behind. Are you tired of searching for resources that reflect your values and aspirations, only to come up empty? This platform is for fathers who think for themselves, question conventional wisdom, and choose a more traditional path in fatherhood.
At Thinking Dads, we’re about purpose— dads leading with credibility, guided by wisdom, fueled by love, and centered in what truly matters: faith, family, and character.
From Crib through College— All The Tools You Need To Be Your Child's Father-Friend
Our Thinking Dads Model outlines four key phases of fatherhood (birth-21 years), guiding you through each stage of your children's development—infancy, pre-adolescence, adolescence, and young adulthood. It offers insights and inspiration for leading and loving your kids, aligned with both their growth and your evolution as a father.
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