When his father later died by suicide, Stephen understandably struggled to accept the loss, having not spoken to him for years.<\/p>\n
As a dad now, Stephen’s determined not to “perpetuate the cycle” with his own son and instead offer the security and emotional guidance he missed out on.<\/p>\n
When his son threatens to have a tantrum, for example, they practise “shaking it out” together – processing the emotions safely.<\/p>\n
Both Ryan and Stephen say they have become better, healthier men because they faced their pain, changed how they communicate, and learned to regulate themselves for their kids.<\/p>\n
“I’m better\u2026 sitting with things and dealing with things,” says Stephen.<\/p>\n
“I wrote that in a letter to Leo last week,” Ryan says. “I said, at times I feel like my role is to instruct and tell you what to do, but actually, it’s a two-way conversation. I’m learning just as much as you are in this journey.”<\/p>\n