father wisdom from Kyle Groves

dad groves, mom groves, lisa and kyle


Kyle is married to Lisa and they have three amazing kids. It's funny to sit here at analyze his parenting style, because I've never really thought about it that intentionally. But I'm remembering some conversations we've had with him as he travelled through Omaha on business or at other family gatherings and he is always so honest and real about parenting. I remember the last time he was in town he shed some light into what its like raising teenagers and told of how they handled a certain situation that we will surely face with our own kids one day. I made a special mental note that night to keep Kyle's number handy for parenting advice when our kids hit that stage.

He is a firm and fair dad. His kids love him to death, and its obvious if you spend ten minutes with their family together.

With this family the proof is in the pudding, and Maddie, Jack and Josie are three of the greatest, most sincere, polite kids of their ages that I know. My grandma went with us to their house for Thanksgiving and the whole way home she kept talking about "that boy Jack...he was so polite. So kind."

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Kyle Groves, Rory's big brother.

1. How would you describe your style as a dad?
This is ever-changing, but I’d say I’m firmly even. I try to be consistent & not raise my voice unless needed to make a clear point. I also try to off-set discipline w/humor, when appropriate. I can usually get a smile from my kids w/just a look, & they know when I’m kidding them.

2. What resources or who in your life was/is the most helpful in giving sound parenting advice?
The person most influential on my parenting is the best man in my wedding, Dad. He was – & still is – a great supporter of mine, & is so well respected by my friends it’s sometimes embarrassing. I also have 7 close friends (including my brother Troy) that I lean on often for advice.

3. Was there a specific part of being a dad that challenged you and your confidence in being a cut out for this?
As the kids get older I sometimes wonder if I’ll have the tenacity to stay strong. Keeping the peace can be trying, especially in the teen years, but I have to remind myself every day God put me here for this purpose – more than any other – to see my kids make it to Heaven. They are my primary mission field.

4. What is your favorite part of being a dad?
It is so fun to have a short-hand w/each kid – know what excites each of them, & being able to “get” them on a deeper level. It’s also really fun to watch them grow in maturity & start to get glimpses of what life will be like as their friends in the future.

5. Do you have a favorite story or quote from one of your kids?
I have 3:
· Maddie sometimes plays the role of the “blonde” too well. Just this past month I was asked by a friend of hers if I would be the emcee @ their wedding. When I told Maddie this she asked me what kind of music I was going to play.
· Jack’s handwriting is a little…tricky to decipher. We all sat around the dinner table 1 night while I attempted to read a story he wrote for school. I had tears trying to make it through sentences like: “When wilkenting framler skilvensen it’s best to tristenfin pretarklen dogs.”
· Josie & I have a number of bedtime rituals. They usually involve playing Uno (super fun for 2), praying, then hoisting that long skinny body over my shoulder to sing “Rock-a-Bye Baby” while dropping her repeatedly. There’s more, but it doesn’t even make sense to write it – but I love it!

6. If you were to go back, and start your season of parenting all over again, what would you tell yourself?
Less TV when they are young – we’re pretty strict on that now (no screens during the week), but we made it harder on them & us by being more lax about it earlier on.

7. Any words of advice or thoughts you want to pass along to Rory?
Rory, you are going to love being a Dad. It’s important to have rules, but it’s also important to know when they can be bent & even broken as they get older. It’s challenging, but so rewarding & fun.