Dear Old Dads DOD244: 48 Is the New 90
Dec 12, 2025
Lydia Smith, a frequent collaborator and researcher, joins the hosts for a lively discussion on navigating tricky family dynamics. They explore a listener's email about a daughter's surprise marriage to a much older man and the concerns it raises. Humorous anecdotes about ADHD add color, as Eli half-jokingly blames Thomas for his son's diagnosis. The conversation overflows with insights on balancing parental instincts with support, ultimately emphasizing the importance of listening and setting healthy boundaries.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Child ADHD Diagnosis And School Support
- Eli describes his son's diagnostic process and confirms a formal ADHD diagnosis after school and private assessments.
- He recounts school behavior supports like an IEP, behavior plan, and earned treats being put in place.
No Introductions Raise Red Flags
- Marrying without introducing a partner to close family can signal secrecy, impulsivity, or embarrassment.
- Lack of prior conversation about job and background increased the hosts' concern about the marriage's stability.
Refusing To Learn A Bad Partner's Name
- Eli shares a story of refusing to meet or learn a friend's bad partner's name and excluding them from his life.
- The anecdote illustrates a blunt, exclusionary approach some use when disliking someone's partner.