Welcome to the Daily Dad podcast where we provide one lesson every day to help you

with your most important job being a dad. These are lessons inspired by ancient philosophy,

by practical wisdom, and insights from dads all over the world. Thank you for

listening, and we hope this helps. They've got your number. You used to think you had it so

together, and maybe you still do. At work, you're important

and together. In relationships, you're measured and firm. You're an adult. You're in charge, right?

No. They're in charge. The ever-serious chesty puller, the most decorated Marine in U.S.

history, was as tough as they get. He was also,

when it came to his kids, a complete softy. Taking his daughter in for a minor surgery, he once told

his wife was worse than Pellulu, an island in the Pacific that he and the U.S. Marines had taken

from the Japanese during a two-month battle that cost more than 20,000 lives.

Nobody could ever make me laugh if I didn't want to, he once said with certainty at a family

dinner. His daughter promptly got him to laugh with a silly face. These kids, they have our number.

They have us wrapped around their fingers. They just do. It's not so bad, though. In fact, it's wonderful because it's not malicious or manipulative. It's just what happens when you have unconditional parental love. Think of it like this. We can be put together, buttoned down, and serious everywhere else. But at home, we can be on their level. We can let them together buttoned down and serious everywhere else.

But at home, we can be on their level.

We can let them call the shots.

And if you're anything like Chesty Puller, they're going to be the softest shots you're ever going to get coming near way.

Hey, you're listening to a Daily Dad podcast, one meditation a day inspired to help you do your most important job,

which is be a great father. These are meditations inspired by ancient wisdom, psychological

research, and just great strategies from normal dads just like you. Thanks for listening.