He takes fatherhood seriously - with a dose of humility

Chad Oswald says a good father makes time for his children, listens to them, teaches new things, plays with his kids, and encourages them to move on from their mistakes, just like he moves on from his mistakes.

“Being the father of four is a nonstop endeavor; it’s a lot to do. My wife Megan and I waited to have kids until we were

ready so that helps, but it’s a huge responsibility. Being a dad is the most important job I’ll ever have. My kids will only have one dad; it’s important for me to do that job right. I’ve got responsibilities at work and other places, but those (responsibilities) all have to be secondary to parenting,” he says.

Cooper, 10, loves playing football with his father in the backyard, and so does six-year-old Curran when he hears all the fun going on out there. “I’ve got them running routes, tackling, and everything,” he said, noting that Kentyn, 8, sometimes joins in but prefers gymnastics to football. “She’s shows me her (gymnastics) routines and new moves. Sometimes I’ll spot her or help her with the bars and other equipment, moving things around and getting things set up for her,” he said.

Swimming, Cooking, and LEGOs

Curran likes building with LEGOs—from kit directions and from his own imagination and design. “I usually just kind of watch and guide him, helping when he gets stuck or when something doesn’t match up, helping him figure out where a mistake was made and we correct it,” Chad explained.

Carter, 3, loves to read with his father. “He’s very much into books. He also likes to pretend to be a chef and waiter. He takes my food order and then goes and cooks some food, and then he serves me the food. He’ll come over with a little notepad and take my order, writes something down, then disappear into his pretend kitchen and emerges later plastic foods and drinks. “That was delicious!” I tell him, or I describe how something was just a little too salty and I ask him to please consider bringing me something different. ‘This is just a bit too hot for me,’ I might tell him. He really enjoys that game.”

Dads Need to Listen

Asked to share his parenting philosophy, Chad Oswald said this: “Make time for them. It’s a busy world and there’s a million things that are trying to grab your attention, so it’s important to be intentional about making time for your kids—collectively and individually—so that
each one feels like they’re valued. It’s not much fun for them to see dad working on a computer if you’re just there versus actually doing something with them,” he said, adding, “Being around them is not the same as doing something with them.”

“Listen to your children and actually hear their answers to your questions about their interests and thoughts. Make time for conversation when you’re driving or around the table,” he said, “and ask them honest questions. Just take a few, short minutes and just engage with them I guess, whenever the opportunity is there.”

Dads aren’t perfect, says Chad Oswald. “No one’s born knowing how to do it. You’ve got to learn on the fly. You’re going to make mistakes. You’ve got to learn from those mistakes. Adapt and do better,” he said. “Own up to your mistakes and apologize, and model that to your children so they can do that same thing.”