Second edition · Digital programme for dads

Still Their Dad

How to stay close to your teenager when they’re pulling away

£24.99 · Instant download

A practical, self-paced programme for dads of 12 to 18-year-olds. Understand why your teenager is pushing you away, learn seven strategies that open conversations back up, and follow a 30-day plan to rebuild connection.

Get Still Their Dad

159-page guide · 13 worksheets · 3 video lessons · 30-day “do the work” guarantee

This is a digital download, sold by Dawson Family Group Ltd. By buying, you ask for immediate access, and you lose your 14-day right to cancel once your download begins. If you haven’t downloaded anything, you can still cancel within 14 days. See the terms and conditions.

Does this sound familiar, Dad?

The one-word answers. The eye rolls. The bedroom door that’s always shut. You ask how school was and get a grunt. You try to help and get told to leave them alone. It can feel like you’ve gone from hero to the bloke who pays the bills.

Here’s what most dads don’t hear: your teenager pushing you away isn’t rejection. It’s development. They need to work out who they are separate from you, and they push hardest against the people they trust most.

You’re not failing. You just need a different way in.

A programme, not just a book

Still Their Dad brings together the approaches I’ve used with teenagers and their dads over years of counselling, and now in coaching. It’s written for dads, by a dad-focused coach, in plain language.

A 159-page guide in five parts
13 printable worksheets, built into the guide and supplied separately to reuse
3 short video lessons (25 minutes in total)
A 30-day action plan that turns what you read into small, weekly steps

I wrote and produced the first edition in 2025. This second edition has a full redesign, 25 more pages and a new Emergency Scripts bonus.

Take a look inside

Sample page: Strategy 2, the 80/20 listening rule — The 80/20 listening rule: talk less, listen more

Sample page: The 5 Needs Assessment worksheet — The 5 Needs Assessment worksheet

Sample page: Part 4, taking care of yourself — Part 4: taking care of yourself

What’s inside the guide

Understanding what’s really happening. Why your teenager’s brain is wired to push you away, what they actually need from you, and why traditional parenting stops working.
The 7 communication strategies that actually work. Side-by-side conversations, the 80/20 listening rule, validation before solutions, better questions, humour and playfulness, respecting their communication style, and the power of consistency.
Handling the hard stuff. Anxiety and depression, self-harm and suicidal thoughts, school refusal, friendship issues, alcohol, drugs and vaping, and when to get professional help. Includes UK crisis contacts.
Taking care of yourself. Burnout, managing your own emotions, getting support and setting boundaries, because you can’t pour from an empty cup.
Your action plan and next steps. A 30-day plan, week by week, to put it all into practice.

The Still Their Dad guide with its Start Here guide, Quick Reference Card, Emergency Scripts and worksheets

Everything that comes with it

Start Here guide. Your 30-day plan on a page, so you know exactly where to begin.
13 printable worksheets. Print and reuse them as often as you need.
3 video lessons. The 3 mistakes dads make, the 7 strategies in action, and how to use your 30 days. 25 minutes in total.
Quick Reference Card. The 7 strategies and the phrases to use and avoid, on one page for your desk, wallet or fridge.
Emergency Scripts (bonus). What to say in the moments that matter most: crisis, anger, silence, and when you’ve got it wrong.
One personal email question. Stuck on something? Email me and I’ll reply within 48 hours.
Yours to keep. Download the files and come back to them whenever you need.

Who it’s for, and who it isn’t

Who it’s for

Dads of 12 to 18-year-olds who feel shut out, worried or unsure how to reach their teenager
Dads who want practical things to try this week, not theory
Partners and grandparents who want to support a dad they care about

Who it isn’t for

Anyone looking for a quick fix or a way to make their teenager do as they’re told
Families in crisis right now. If your teenager is in immediate danger, call 999. For urgent mental health support, call NHS 111 and choose option 2.

Jeff Dawson, performance and leadership coach for men and dads

About Jeff

I’m Jeff Dawson, a performance and leadership coach for men and dads, based in Tavistock and working across Devon, Cornwall and online.

I’ve spent over 15 years working with young people and their families, first in schools and youth work and, from 2021, as a BACP-registered counsellor, supporting more than 100 families. I kept meeting dads in the waiting room who said they were fine. They weren’t. Still Their Dad is what I wish every one of them had been able to take home.

The 30-day “do the work” guarantee

Use the programme for 30 days. Complete at least five of the worksheets and try the strategies with your teenager. If it hasn’t helped, email me within 45 days of buying and I’ll refund you in full.

Questions dads ask

What if my teenager won’t engage with any of this?

That’s expected, and the programme is built for it. Nothing here needs your teenager to sign up or sit down for a talk. The strategies change how you show up, and Chapter 10 explains why consistency matters more than their first reaction.

My teenager is struggling with their mental health. Is this enough?

Part 3 covers anxiety, depression, self-harm and school refusal, with what to say, what to avoid and when to get professional help. The guide supports you as a dad. It isn’t a replacement for professional support for your teenager. If they’re in immediate danger, call 999.

How long until I see a difference?

Most dads notice small shifts within the first couple of weeks, such as fewer arguments or a better conversation in the car. Bigger changes take longer. The 30-day plan breaks it into manageable steps.

I’m not much of a reader. Will this work for me?

Yes. The guide is designed to dip into, with short sections, clear takeaways and worksheets. The video lessons and Quick Reference Card give you the essentials without reading cover to cover.

Can my partner use it too?

Yes. It’s written for dads, but the strategies work for any parent, and teenagers do better when both parents take a consistent approach.

Can I buy it as a gift?

Yes. Buy it with the recipient’s email address, or forward the download email to them.

How do I get the files?

Straight after you pay, you’ll go to your downloads page, and we’ll email you a link to it. Everything comes as PDFs and video files you can keep. Your downloads page works for 30 days, so save the files somewhere safe.

What if I need more support?

Book a free 30-minute discovery call to talk about Dad Leadership Coaching. No pressure, just a conversation.

Together Families

Calm, practical guidance for the moments that matter, whenever you need it. £6.99 a month. Start today

Dad Leadership Coaching

One-to-one coaching for dads of teenagers, face to face in Tavistock or Saltash, or online. £75 an hour. Book a free 30-minute discovery call

The cover of Still Their Dad by Jeff Dawson

Ready to stay close, Dad?