195: Raising Sons Into Men: The “Cop Phase” & Parenting Little Kids With Boundaries and Protection

THE BRAVECO RITE OF PASSAGE: https://www.braveco.org/riteofpassage

As a pastor, counselor, and dad, I have watched so many young men stumble their way into manhood without a clear pathway. In this episode of the Brave Co Podcast, I break down the stages our sons move through and what it looks like to call them out of boyhood and into manhood with intention. From the “cop” phase with little kids, to mentoring teens, to coaching young men who are 18, 19, and 20 and still living at home, I share real stories from my own life and conversations I have with fathers all the time.

I talk about how to shift from controlling your son’s every move to training him to make wise decisions, carry real responsibility, and discover his God-given purpose. You will hear how my dad prepared me for puberty, identity, and independence, why I had to start fighting my own battles, and how those milestones shaped me. Then I walk you through what to do when your son wants to stay at home as an adult, how to set clear expectations, and how to stop enabling him so he can grow into a man who produces more than he consumes.

If you are a dad of a teenage or young adult son, this conversation will give you language, courage, and a practical roadmap. I also share why we created the BraveCo Rite of Passage, a 30-hour weekend where fathers and sons encounter God together, push their limits, and mark the moment a boy is called into manhood. Join us February 28 – March 1, 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida. Get all the details and grab your spot at braveco.org, and do not forget to subscribe, share this episode with another dad, and drop a comment with your biggest takeaway.

Chapters:
00:00 BraveCo Rite of Passage: Why Every Boy Needs a Moment of Manhood
01:14 Why Masculinity and Fatherhood Matter
04:12 The “Cop Phase”: Parenting Little Kids With Boundaries and Protection
07:17 From Cop to Mentor: Teaching Teens Responsibility and Purpose
11:06 Boys vs. Men: Responsibility, Work, and the Parable of the Talents
15:47 Milestones With Dad: Puberty, Identity, and Fighting Your Own Battles
19:19 When Your Son Is 18–20: Moving From Mentor to Coach
23:12 Adult Sons at Home: Contracts, Expectations, and Contribution
26:00 When Your Son Moves Out (and Maybe Moves Back In)
34:02 Final Encouragement to Fathers and How to Set Your Son Up for Success

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ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.