From utero and into infancy, babies recognize their mother as being essentially one with them. So, being placed in their father’s arms is in fact their first introduction to the “other,” the outside world. The father will continue this crucial role as mediator and representative to the outside world throughout a boy’s childhood.
With decades of experience and dozens of personal anecdotes, Upper School Head Michael Moynihan addressed the 2025 Fatherhood Conference to share how a father’s parenting outlook now will shape his son’s vocational and professional readiness to join that outside world as an adult.
Chapters:
5:47 Mr. Moynihan’s background
8:17 Fathers represent the outside world
12:21 Model God’s loving fatherhood
17:02 Awaken the child’s own agency
24:52 Partner with your wife to build this home culture
2025 Fatherhood Conference:
The Father as Presence featuring Andy Reed, link coming soon
The Father as Protector featuring Colin Gleason, link coming soon
Links:
The Talk and Beyond: Raising Children in a Confused Culture by Michael Moynihan
Decisive Parenting: Forming Authentic Freedom in Your Children by Michael Moynihan
The Father and His Family: A Guidebook for Aspiring, New, and Experienced Fathers by Michael Moynihan
Also on the Forum:
You’re the Man for the Job: The Vocation of Fatherhood featuring Alvaro de Vicente