Daniel Seabaugh

Perhaps you’re familiar with the concept of passive income. Passive income produces financial benefits long after the work is complete. Two examples would be a book that sells years after its publication or a musician’s album that does the same.

I sometimes wonder if there are similar things in life, especially in parenting, that could prove equally valuable, even if the win isn’t financial in nature. In other words, are there passive parenting wins?

I’ve heard my wife talk fondly about a season in her life when her dad regularly ran with her after school. She always smiles when recalling these memories. She’d run fast, and her dad, after long hours of working in the emergency room, would keep up. They’d talk the entire way about life, relationships, and, most of all, Jesus. I think this is a passive parenting win—a memory that bears positive and encouraging fruit, though the running years have long since passed.

My daughters are in a season where sports are becoming important to them. One girl, like her mother, is taking an interest in running. Watching her run a mile in less than seven minutes is inspiring. There’s a real sweetness in watching my children find hobbies that make them come alive.

Recently, this daughter asked me to run four laps with her around our neighborhood. I tried to pass the ask off to one of her sisters but ended up lacing up my shoes and praying to not get injured. Thankfully, we didn’t run at a sub-seven pace. We did, however, run the entire four laps. Just saying.

While we were running, it occurred to me: if I made running with my daughter a habit and got over my excuses for staying inside, such moments could turn into passive parenting wins—memories she’d return to long after I’m gone.

What I’m not talking about is being a passive parent. That’s a different kind of thing. What I’m very much suggesting, however, is creating moments of presence and engagement that last a lifetime.

Parenting, I think, is largely about time and intentionality. It’s about being present in meaningful ways. Just being a dad doesn’t make me good at it or worth celebrating. I must take genuine interest in my children, their lives, and even their hobbies.

Time will tell if this theory is accurate or if I can live up to it. God knows I have no idea what I’m doing. I mostly make it up as I go. But I do know that I want to be an intentional father. As the old saying goes, the days are long, but the years are so short. I don’t want to miss out.

Jesus, help me be an intentional father. Keep me off the couch. Take away my excuses. Please, Lord. I need help.