Parenting Adult Children with Special Needs

What if the real scoreboard for fatherhood isn't your bank account, your job title, or your kids' trophies—but how much your adult kids actually want to spend time with you? In this deeply moving conversation, I sit down with Tim Campbell, an 82-year-old father, author, and living example of what long-term connection and trust with your kids can look like—even after a lifetime of hardship.

Tim shares his journey of being married for 50 years, raising three children—two with significant disabilities—and navigating medical crises, bullying, fear, and exhaustion that would have broken most families. We talk about growing up with a Marine father who lacked emotional tools, the moment Tim realized he had become the dad he swore he'd never be, and how he rebuilt trust one moment at a time. This episode is a masterclass in breaking generational patterns, showing up authentically, and understanding why trust is the real gold in fatherhood.

Timeline Summary:

[0:00] Rethinking the true scoreboard of fatherhood and legacy.

[1:20] Introducing Tim Campbell and his 50-year marriage.

[2:19] Raising three kids, two with significant disabilities, and surviving medical crises.

[3:09] Why trust and connection are the biggest themes of Tim's fatherhood journey.

[3:29] Growing up with a Marine father and limited emotional connection.

[4:16] How crisis can either weld a marriage together or tear it apart.

[4:41] Tim introduces his book Holding Up the Sky.

[5:02] Writing a healing, imaginary conversation with his late father.

[7:00] How trauma early in marriage revealed character and long-term strength.

[8:25] Learning you don't have to win every argument to win the long game.

[12:23] Vowing to break generational patterns from his own childhood.

[14:09] Wanting to be a better dad—but not knowing how at first.

[16:24] Realizing fear turned him into the father he never wanted to be.

[17:11] A breaking-point moment that forced real change.

[18:19] Why leveling with your kids builds trust during hard moments.

[18:52] Learning from the next generation, not just the previous one.

[21:17] Larry shares his own parenting experience with a child with disabilities.

[22:44] A bullying moment involving Tim's son and how he responded.

[23:45] "Trust is the real gold" and how it compounds over time.

[24:41] Parenting adult children with disabilities and letting go.

[26:23] Knowing you did fatherhood right when adult kids still want connection.

[28:16] Revisiting the final chapter of Holding Up the Sky.

[30:58] Imagining his father's response and finding peace.

[33:06] Authenticity, masks, and being human with your kids.

[36:01] Why sharing your own childhood stories builds instant connection.

[37:13] Where to find Tim, his book, and additional resources.

Five Key Takeaways

1. Trust is the real currency of fatherhood. It opens the door to love, communication, and long-term connection.
2. Crisis reveals character. Hard seasons can either fracture a family or weld it together depending on how we show up.
3. Fear can turn us into the parent we swore we'd never be if we don't consciously course-correct.
4. Getting down to your child's level—literally and emotionally—builds safety and trust.
5. Adult children choosing to stay connected is the truest measure of success.

Links & Resources

• Tim Campbell's Book — Holding Up the Sky: https://holdingupthesky.net
• Tim Campbell Website: https://timcampbellodysseys.net
• Episode Show Notes & Resources: https://thedadedge.com/1416
• Bark Monitoring for Families: https://thedadedge.com/bark

Closing Remark

If this episode reminded you what really matters in fatherhood, please rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. And remember—titles fade, money comes and goes, but trust with your kids is the gold that lasts a lifetime.