339 | DA+3 Group Guide: Justin Whitmel Earley

DadAwesome

Looking for fresh ideas on building better habits, routines, and rhythms with your kids? Tune in to this week’s DA+3 Group Guide featuring Justin Whitmel Earley. From morning huddles to bedtime rituals, you’ll explore ways to transform everyday moments into meaningful connections with your family.

Key Takeaways

1. New Day, New Start: Every day is a new chance to parent differently and experience more of God’s grace.
2. Pause Prayers: Before disciplining or interacting with your kids, take a moment to pray and ask for guidance to approach the situation with love and understanding.
3. Morning Huddles: Start your day with a family huddle where you teach your kids a simple prayer or affirmation.
4. Bedtime Rituals: Create a routine that transforms ordinary moments into opportunities for connection. Don’t be discouraged if it takes several tries to work!
5. Reconciliation Rituals: Don’t just immediately move on after conflict or discipline. Whether it’s a hug, a joke, or a shared Tic Tac, show your kids and spouse you’re still on their side.

DA+3 Group Guide Discussion Questions:

1. Do you ever feel weighed down by past parenting mistakes—whether from a day, week, or year ago?
2. What are some practical ways you show yourself grace and embrace the “New Day, New Start” mindset as a dad?
3. What changes for you when you say a quick prayer before disciplining your kids?
4. How do you find the right balance between discipline and showing grace?
5. What does your current morning routine look like with your family?
6. How can you make your family’s routine more intentional and spiritually focused?
7. Do you have a bedtime ritual that helps you connect spiritually with your children?
8. What is your biggest challenge when trying to establish a new family habit or routine?
9. How do you model reconciliation for your kids?
10. Is there a small, fun gesture you use to reconnect with your kids after conflict, such as sharing a Tic Tac, telling a joke, or giving a hug?

Justin Whitmel Earley

Justin Whitmel Earley is a lawyer, author, and speaker from Richmond, Virginia. His most recent book, Habits of the Household, was published in 2021. Justin is married to Lauren and has four sons: Whit, Asher, Coulter, and Shep.

Key Quotes

• 2:07 - "Every day is a new chance to experience grace from your heavenly Father and step in with your whole heart to being a dad. New day, new start. Do not beat yourself up about yesterday, last week, last month, last year, the last decade of your dad life. Don't play the comparison game and do not disqualify yourself. God has not disqualified you. So let's walk with a lot of grace."
• 6:03 - "There's a comical and halting nature to starting any important habit with your family, which is very important to realize. Nothing in the household is normal until it is, you have to practice.

Links from Today’s Conversation

• 253 | Reframing Your Parenting with New Habits (Justin Earley)
• Habits of the Household
• SUMMER SALE in the DadAwesome Store: Get 20% off when you use the code “tanktop”

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