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From Gold Stars to Grit: 5 Simple Shifts for Raising Kids with a Backbone

From Gold Stars to Grit: 5 Simple Shifts for Raising Kids with a Backbone

Why I’m choosing character over credentials—and how that shift is changing our home.

Geoffrey Griffin
April 23, 2025

Focused Content

Are You Raising a Résumé or a Resilient Human?

Straight A’s look good on paper.
But character? That shows up when life gets messy.

In today’s Focused Fool, I’m sharing why I’m rethinking success at home—and what it looks like when you trade external wins for internal strength.
There’s a moment involving sidewalk chalk that hit me like a freight train.

In Focused Insights, you’ll find wisdom from Daily Dad, Simon Sinek, and The Art of Manliness—all pointing to one truth: the quiet, intentional moments shape our kids more than any trophy.

In Focused Action, we continue this month’s theme of Presence with a powerful shift: Start a family tradition—and watch what consistency builds.

And in Focused Wonder, a question to open the door to shared dreams and long walks through possibility:
If money weren’t an issue, what would you love to do together for a month?

Let’s dig into what actually matters.

Focused Purpose

You can raise a kid with straight A’s, a stacked resume, and a scholarship to somewhere impressive…
…and still miss the most important part.

This week on The Focused Fool:

Why I’m trading trophies for backbone (and how that’s going)
The 5 small shifts we made at home to build character instead of chasing clout
The sidewalk chalk moment that made me rethink everything

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re raising a résumé—or a resilient human being—you’re not alone.

Let’s talk about what actually matters.

Focused Insights

Curated recommendations to challenge your thinking, inspire action, or simply make you pause and reflect.

The Daily Dad
“Play the Game. They’re the Best”
Simon Sinek’s Optimism Company
“raising Resilient Kids with Angela Duckworth”
The Art of Manliness
“Honor in The Quiet Man”

Focused Partners

Is pushing kids to get good grades the fastest way to raise successful children?

Surprisingly, the answer is NO.

Focusing solely on academics makes up just a small part of what truly nurtures a child's self-belief and independence.

So what's the real game changer in raising unstoppable kids?

It’s all about getting them to learn critical life skills.

Did you know skills like problem-solving, creativity, financial literacy and resilience make the difference between those who succeed and those who struggle later in life?

This is way more impactful than just pushing for good grades.

Unfortunately, many parents waste hundreds of dollars every month on tutors and academic programs focusing only on rote learning.

While adding tremendous amounts of stress to young kids.

Smart parents are discovering this simple solution to spark their child's fire for self-driven achievement, raising confident leaders fast.

Focused Action

Every month, The Focused Fool brings you a series of Focused Actions—practical, bite-sized steps designed to help you grow as a father, husband, and man. Each month follows a specific theme, broken down into 12 structured actions (3 per week) that build on each other over the course of the month.

These actions are designed to be simple, achievable, and impactful, helping you establish new habits, strengthen relationships, and refine your personal leadership. Whether you follow the entire series or just a few steps, each action is a stepping stone toward becoming the man you want to be.

This month’s theme: Presence—Building intentional time with your kids and spouse.

Initiate a New Tradition

Action: Create a weekly ritual with your family (e.g., Family movie night, Sunday hikes, breakfast dates).
Prompt: Reflect on what traditions mean to your family and how they bring you together.

Focused Wonder

Focused questions designed to spark meaningful dialogue—whether at the dinner table, during a car ride, or at bedtime. Use these questions to build trust, curiosity, and laughter in your relationships.