NY Post Puddle Jumpers Interview: Tough Love
A dad and former Navy SEAL has a unique perspective on helping kids reach great heights
Below is an excerpt from the NY Post’s Sunday edition. -BW
With his new book, “Puddle Jumpers: Powerful Mental Techniques from a Navy SEAL Performance Coach and Father of Three” (Author’s Equity), he offers tips for a different kind of battlefield: modern parenting.
He thinks many moms and dads aren’t doing well by their troops. Despite their best intentions, they’re raising kids who are emotionally fragile, overprotected and unprepared for adulthood.
“Parents immediately need to get better at asking questions,” Webb asserted. “Asking your kid how his or her day was is a bulls–t question and you’re going to get a bulls–t answer.”
Instead ask more interesting questions. “Try something fun but deeper, like, ‘If today was a movie, what would it be and why?’ It’s much a better way of getting more from your kids.”
Growing up, he said his dad “whooped my ass with a leather belt” to discipline him without ever asking him why he’d done something wrong.
With his own kids, he’s strived to understand their motivations.
Years ago, his youngest son, Tyler, was suspended in seventh grade after ordering pizza for his entire class — and sending some to the principal’s office, too.
Read the full interview for free here.