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I want to share the biggest mistake I made as a dad. Without realizing it, I was trying to pull my son into my world instead of stepping into his. My Type-A drive and bias toward efficiency made me resent his love for Minecraft, and that resentment quietly created distance—distance that didn’t start with him, but with me.

Eventually, I sought advice from a mentor, convinced the problem was the game. He stopped me and said it clearly: the issue wasn’t Minecraft, it was my expectations. That hit hard.

When I chose curiosity over control and intentionally stepped into my son’s world, everything changed. Our connection deepened. What I learned—and keep learning—is this: presence will always beat projection.

🎙️Host : https://www.instagram.com/jeffhopeck/
🚀Guest : https://www.instagram.com/maletraris/

In this heartfelt episode of Hey Dads Can We?, host Jeff Hopeck speaks with a fellow father, Michael Aletraris, and friend about the challenges and joys of intentional fatherhood. Their conversation centers on the importance of presence over perfection — being truly engaged with one’s children rather than distracted by work or devices.

The guest shares lessons from his faith and upbringing, emphasizing that fatherhood is a calling to lead by example, plant seeds of character, and create a lasting legacy rooted in love, patience, and faith. They discuss practical ways to disconnect from technology, the power of empathy in discipline, and how small acts — like playing outside or entering a child’s imaginative world — can deeply impact relationships. The episode closes with reflections on being proactive, building generational values, and savoring fleeting childhood moments before they’re gone.