Dads, the words you speak to and about your children are powerful and impact them more than you know. Even if you’re talking about your children when they’re not in the room, what you believe about them shows up in what you say about them, and will shape them more than you could ever imagine. I know this from personal experience, and I share a story about it in my new book, Hero: Being The Strong Father Your Children Need.

The bottom line for you fathers is quite simple: your words, body language, and presence can determine your child’s outlook every day. Your kids might not tell you that but as their pediatrician, that’s what they’ve told me. They take everything you do and say as a reflection on them and how they should feel and react. Their identity is still forming and they are constantly looking to you to tell them who they are. As the great communicator dad, you need to make sure you tell them the right things.

Dad, if you’re reading this and thinking, I’m really no good at communicating. I don’t even know where to start – don’t worry! I have four essentials of great fatherly…