Shows / Montessori Dad | Respectful Parenting
Montessori Dad | Respectful Parenting
Montessori parenting and respectful parenting for fathers: Montessori Dad with J.D. Murgolo explores parenting with purpose, Montessori at home, emotional intelligence, and conscious fatherhood. Get thoughtful, practical ideas for navigating family life and showing up for your kids in a way that feels true to you.
Episodes
Montessori Dad | Respectful ParentingObserving Without Intervening: Why I Stayed in the Doorway
She had been working on the lid for almost four minutes. A small container. Nothing special. The lid on crooked. She knew it was on crooked. And she kept…
Montessori Dad | Respectful ParentingPrepared Environment, Prepared Self: What a Messy Morning Taught Me
The kitchen was clean the night before. That's where this episode starts, with the best version of yourself. The one who set the coffee maker and wiped the…
Montessori Dad | Respectful ParentingDear Future Self | Season 3 Finale — A Letter on Fatherhood, Growth & Letting Go
In the Season 3 finale of the Montessori Dad podcast, host J.D. Murgolo sets down the letters to his children and instead writes directly to his future self —…
Montessori Dad | Respectful ParentingThe Hands That Hold, and Let Go | Raising Independent Kids Through Montessori
There's a moment, and if you're a parent, you've felt it, when you realize your child no longer reaches for your hand the same way. They still reach. But…
Montessori Dad | Respectful ParentingThe Slow Season: How Slowing Down as a Dad Creates Space for Real Connection
What does it look like to actually slow down as a dad — not just talk about it, but live it? In this entry, I reflect on a season of loud dinners and quiet…
Montessori Dad | Respectful ParentingWhen Your Kid Says No (And What It's Really Telling You)
In this entry, I reflect on a moment of defiance, a sharp “no” that landed harder than expected, and what it revealed about boundaries, emotional regulation…
Montessori Dad | Respectful ParentingFreedom Within Limits
In this entry, I reflect on watching my children create stories entirely their own , worlds built from Legos, toy cars, and imagination, and what it asks of me…
Montessori Dad | Respectful ParentingThe Exhaustion of the "Good Parent": Honesty, Emotional Labor, and the Prepared Adult
In this entry of Montessori Dad, I’m sitting with a specific kind of fatigue, the exhaustion that surfaces not from parenting itself, but from the labor of…
Montessori Dad | Respectful ParentingWhat Happens When We Stop Rushing Our Children?
What happens to our children—and ourselves—when we stop rushing the clock and start trusting the process? In this entry, I reflect on the “threshold” of…
Montessori Dad | Respectful ParentingThe Game We Didn’t Finish
How do we help our children navigate disappointment without "fixing" it? We explore building resilience in children through the lens of a game that didn't…
Montessori Dad | Respectful ParentingThe Space Between Us
How do we explain the unexplainable to our children? In this entry, J.D. reflects on parenting through grief following the loss of his father. Watching his…
Montessori Dad | Respectful ParentingWhile We Are Still Their World
Right now, our children’s worlds are small, and we are at the center of them. Through a journal entry to his five-year-old son, J.D. examines the weight of…
- Montessori Dad | Respectful Parenting
Season 3 — The Montessori Dad
A quieter season begins. The Montessori Dad returns this February with a new season of reflections on presence, patience, and parenting as an inner practice…
Montessori Dad | Respectful ParentingGrowing Through the Quiet Storm - Entry #64
Even the smallest storms—frustration, sadness, disappointment—can become opportunities for connection and growth. For the final entry of Season 2, I journal a…
Montessori Dad | Respectful ParentingLearning From Setbacks - Entry #63
Mistakes are opportunities waiting to be noticed. In this episode, I journal a moment when a block tower collapses, and we explore how calm presence and gentle…
Montessori Dad | Respectful ParentingLeaning Into Discomfort - Entry #62
Growth often comes dressed as discomfort. This week, I journal about a moment when my child struggles to tie their shoes, and the subtle lesson that emerges…
Montessori Dad | Respectful ParentingRecognizing the Hidden Strengths - Entry #61
Sometimes the most remarkable growth happens quietly. In this week’s episode, I reflect on the subtle moments when children show resilience and…
Montessori Dad | Respectful ParentingNurturing the Roots of Connection - Entry #60
So much of family life is built on the small, ordinary rituals—morning routines, bedtime stories, the little rhythms that seem almost invisible. Yet within…
Montessori Dad | Respectful ParentingThe Courage to Begin Again - Entry #59
There are days when parenting doesn’t go the way we hope. We lose our patience, we rush, we miss the moment. And afterward, we carry the weight of regret. But…
Montessori Dad | Respectful ParentingPlanting Seeds of Patience - Entry #58
This journal entry invites us to see our children's natural rhythms not as obstacles to efficiency, but as teachers showing us a more soulful way of being…
Montessori Dad | Respectful ParentingJournal Entry #57 - Listening to the Quiet Within
As the seasons begin to shift, so too do we. September invites us to pause, to turn inward, and to notice the quiet places we often rush past. In this episode…
Montessori Dad | Respectful ParentingJournal Entry #56 - Finding Freedom Within Routine
Routines aren’t cages. When held with softness, they’re invitations to safety—and from safety, freedom grows. In this reflective entry, JD shares a letter to…
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Journal Entry #55 - The Beauty of Practical Life Skills
There’s a quiet power in pouring water, folding laundry, or sweeping the floor. Not just for us—but for our kids too. In this journal-style episode, J.D…
- Montessori Dad | Respectful Parenting
Journal Entry #54 - Grace, Courtesy, and the Kindness My Kids Are Watching For
In this episode, I write a personal letter to my kids about the quiet power of grace and courtesy—the small acts of kindness and respect that often go…
- Montessori Dad | Respectful Parenting
Journal Entry #53 - Movement Is Learning, Not Just Play
In this episode, I write a letter to my kids about the deep connection between movement and learning. More than just fun or energy release, movement is a…
- Montessori Dad | Respectful Parenting
Journal Entry #52 - The Way You Ask Questions Teaches Me Everything
In this episode, a simple question from a child, “Why are construction trucks yellow?” becomes a profound lesson in curiosity, humility, and connection. By…
- Montessori Dad | Respectful Parenting
Journal Entry #51 - You Don’t Have to Be Happy All the Time
This episode explores a tender moment when a scraped knee became a doorway into a deeper lesson: you don’t have to be happy all the time. Through Montessori…
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Journal Entry #50 - Why Uninterrupted Work Is a Gift for All of Us
I write a letter to my kids about a moment I almost interrupted…them lost in a world of Legos. It wasn’t just play; it was deep focus, flow, and creativity…
- Montessori Dad | Respectful Parenting
Journal Entry #49 - I’m Learning to Trust Your Inner Guide
In this weeks journal entry, I write a letter to my kids about something I almost missed: the quiet confidence with which they moved through their day, trying…
- Montessori Dad | Respectful Parenting
Journal Entry #48 - Today I Watched You Build Patience
This weeks journal entry, I reflect on a quiet, ordinary moment — watching my children stack wooden blocks with calm and care. It’s in these small, slow spaces…
- Montessori Dad | Respectful Parenting
Journal Entry #47 - Modeling, Not Managing: The Role of the Adult in a Child’s Emotional World
In this weeks entry, we’re looking at the emotional world of children—not through the lens of control, but through the lens of connection. So often, we think…
- Montessori Dad | Respectful Parenting
Journal Entry #46 - The Quiet Power of Play: Letting Go of Over-Scheduling
In this journal-style reflection, I explore what it means to truly trust in play—not as a break from learning, but as the learning itself. So often, we find…
- Montessori Dad | Respectful Parenting
Journal Entry #45 - The Sock Situation: Life Skills, Tiny Shoes, and Big Lessons
In this episode, I share a moment that started with a simple sock and turned into something much deeper—a lesson in patience, trust, and what it really means…
Montessori Dad | Respectful ParentingJournal Entry #44 - The Day of 27 Whys
What do birds sitting on wires, squirrels without hats, and early-morning curiosity have in common? They all showed up before 9am. In this episode, I reflect…
- Montessori Dad | Respectful Parenting
Interview: Let Them Pour the Milk - Ian Standard
Ian Standard, a new dad and someone who really understands the emotional intelligence side of life skills and why those small moments of independence aren’t…
- Montessori Dad | Respectful Parenting
Journal Entry #43: How Pouring Milk Builds Confidence and Independence
This week we’re talking about daily routines like pouring milk, folding towels, loading the dishwasher, and why those small, often frustrating moments are…
- Montessori Dad | Respectful Parenting
Journal Entry #42: What It Really Means to Slow Down for Your Kids
This weeks journal entry is a bit of a pause button. We’re talking about what it really means to slow down—not just for our kids’ sake, but for our own. And…
- Montessori Dad | Respectful Parenting
Journal Entry #41: Watching My Son Learn to Regulate His Emotions
Regulating emotions can be a challenge. Have you ever seen what it looks like when someone tries to though? I did, and it was my 4yo son. Say hello on…
- Montessori Dad | Respectful Parenting
Interview: Mothering Without A Mother - Alyssa Carlene
Alyssa Carlene chose the path of healing. Not for a neat ending, but for a beginning. She became the mother she never had piece by piece, breath by breath. My…
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Journal Entry #40: Little Humans, Big Emotions
Little humans, big emotions. What does that look like when a 2yo breaks a 4yo’s heart by denying a before bedtime hug? Say hello on Instagram. Sign up for…
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Journal Entry #39: Experiencing the World Through a Child's Eyes
Experience the world through a child’s eye they say. Thanks for pushing play on another journal entry. Say hello on Instagram. Sign up for our occasional…
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Journal Entry #38: My Birthday Through the Eyes of a Kid Who Can Count
Celebrating my birthday is different when you’re kiddo actually knows how to count. Thanks for pushing play on another journal entry. Say hello on Instagram.…
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Interview: A State Of Being Whelmed - Rhalyn David
For much of my life, I was brought up in an environment where the phrase “follow the child” is the guiding principle. My guest this month is: Rhalyn David Say…
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Journal Entry #37: The Fear of Losing Connection as They Grow
This week I discuss the fear of losing connection with my children as they grow up Thanks for pushing play on another journal entry. Say hello on Instagram.…
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Journal Entry #36: A Parenting Quote That Hit Me Deep
This week I explore the meaning of a parenting quote I stumbled across that hit me deep. Thanks for pushing play on another journal entry. Say hello on…
Montessori Dad | Respectful ParentingJournal Entry #35: Can I Keep You Forever? Little Questions, Big Love
My kids ask if they can keep me forever, if I can be their friend, and what my favorite character in Star Wars is. Thanks for pushing play on another journal…
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Interview: The Value of Calm Parenting - Kirk Martin
Yelling doesn't teach; it creates a cycle of negativity. My guest this week is: Kirk Martin Say hello on Instagram. Sign up for our occasional newsletter…
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Journal Entry #34: Seeing the World Fresh Through My Kids' Eyes
I often forget what it must be like to see things for the first time. My kids like to remind me of that on a regular basis and this week they’ve done that at…
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Interview: Dear Men (And All Ya'll) - Steph McFarland
How do we define masculinity and why should be viewing it differently? My guest this week is: Steph McFarland Say hello on Instagram. Sign up for our…
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Journal Entry #33: The Existential Questions My Toddler Asks
First journal entry for the new season and for this episode we’re talking about those profound and existential questions from a toddler. Say hello on…
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Season 2 Trailer
New journal entries and interviews begin February 3. Say hello on Instagram. Sign up for our occasional newsletter, The Montessori Dad Follow the show and…
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Entry 32: Choosing Compassion and Grace - Sam Morris
In the realm of parenting, it is natural to experience a range of emotions, both positive and negative. While it is common to feel love, joy, and pride, there…
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Entry 31: The Challenges of Co-Parenting - Anonymous
When a couple with children decides to separate or divorce, one of the most important considerations is how to co-parent effectively. Co-parenting can be a…
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Entry 30: What Does Staying Fit As A Parent Really Mean? - Patricia Siegel
There are many parts of us that we have to rethink and reevaluate when we become parents. Our health in all it’s many forms is one though that often seems to…
- Montessori Dad | Respectful Parenting
Entry 29: Crafting Loves Legacy - Matthew Wilson
In this episode, Matt Wilson, a 29-year-old from Abbeville, Louisiana, shares his unique journey from working in the oil field to writing a children's book…
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Entry #28: The Stigma of Lost Pregnancies - Lindsey Paulson
Losing a pregnancy is a devastating experience that affects millions of people worldwide. Despite its prevalence, there is still a significant stigma…
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Entry 27: Unraveling Generational Ties - Jennifer McGinley
In the journey of parenting, we often find ourselves reflecting on our own upbringing and considering how we want to raise our children. While some may choose…
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Entry 26: Why "Why" Matters - Rachael Choate
Have you ever noticed how young children are constantly asking "why"? It's a seemingly endless barrage of questions that can sometimes be exhausting for…
- Montessori Dad | Respectful Parenting
Entry #25: Helping Children Learn to Regulate Their Emotions - Rée
Children's emotional experiences can be as vast and unpredictable as the ocean. Just as waves crash and recede, their emotions can surge and ebb, often leaving…
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Entry #24: From A Child's Perspective - Jenna Van Eps
For a little human, the world is a boundless realm where anything is possible, and the ordinary becomes extraordinary. Their vivid imaginations transform…