As fathers, we’re tasked with an incredible responsibility: raising our sons to become capable, responsible, and honorable men. In a recent episode of the Call With Dads podcast, Brandon Moore, alongside hosts Mr. Pancakes, Eric Maynard, and Tom, shared profound insights into fatherhood, drawing from his viral “100 Principles of Fatherhood.” Originally posted as “100 Laws” on X, these principles stem from a century-old book series, The Boy’s Own Book, and offer timeless guidance for dads navigating the challenges of modern parenting. This article distills key takeaways from the conversation, focusing on how dads can foster “developed masculinity” in their sons, manage emotions like anger, teach financial responsibility, and embrace the joys and struggles of fatherhood.
The Origins of the 100 Principles
Brandon Moore’s journey into creating the 100 Principles of Fatherhood began with a discovery: a 20-volume set of books published after World War I, designed to address a crisis in masculinity. The war left many men either lost or broken, unable to pass down the tools needed to raise strong sons. This book series, dense with practical wisdom, aimed to bridge that gap by guiding fathers to instill physical, mental, spiritual, and social virtues in their boys. “I stumbled on these books, and they transformed how I parent,” Brandon shared. “My son and I were at a point of friction, but working through these principles together made me a better man and set him on a path to surpass me.” His X post outlining these principles exploded with 116,000 views, resonating with dads hungry for a roadmap to raise resilient sons in a world that often feels chaotic.
Harnessing Anger as a Fuel for Growth
One of the standout topics in the podcast was anger—a universal emotion that many dads and their kids grapple with. Brandon emphasized that anger itself isn’t bad; it’s how we channel it that matters. “Anger is just an emotion, a fuel,” he explained. “For men, it’s natural to want to strike out physically when we’re hurt or angry, but we need to harness it to create positive change.”
Brandon shared a personal story of overcoming his own anger, rooted in perceived injustices from his youth. By revisiting these feelings as an adult, he realized they were often exaggerated or misplaced. This self-reflection allowed him to model better behavior for his son. “I used to throw temper tantrums when I felt disrespected at home,” he admitted. “But seeing fear in my family’s eyes made me rethink how I express anger. Now, I digest it, ask why I’m upset, and often find I’m mad at myself for not doing better.”
For dads, this is a powerful lesson: anger can be a catalyst for self-improvement if we learn to process it constructively. Brandon suggests teaching sons to identify the root of their anger—often tied to perceived unfairness—and use it to drive positive action, like tackling a problem or improving a skill. This approach aligns with his broader philosophy of “developed masculinity,” where emotions are tools for growth, not destruction.
Teaching Financial Responsibility Early
Another key principle Brandon discussed is teaching boys to handle money responsibly. Drawing from The Boy’s Own Book, which recommended starting allowances at age six, Brandon gives his 13-year-old son a weekly $25 allowance—not as a handout, but as a tool for learning. “I’m not pulling extra money out of my pocket,” he clarified. “It’s money I’d already spend on his clothes, hobbies, or food. I’m teaching him to budget, save, and give.”
Brandon’s son uses this allowance to cover personal expenses, like hygiene products and science experiments for homeschooling. He’s even started a lawn care business to earn extra income, showcasing entrepreneurial spirit. “I took a photo of him buying his first hair gel,” Brandon laughed. “He was so proud, and now he’s got $2,300 in an Acorns account at 13. He’s learning to invest and see money grow.”
This approach contrasts with other perspectives in the podcast. Eric Maynard, for instance, uses a spreadsheet to track his seven-year-old’s tasks, like reading or avoiding fights with his sister, tying earnings to specific accomplishments. “His job is to learn and become smarter than me,” Eric said. Meanwhile, Tom avoids allowances entirely, believing kids should contribute to the household without financial incentives.
The takeaway? There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but teaching kids about money early—whether through allowances, chore-based earnings, or saving—prepares them for adulthood. Brandon’s method, rooted in historical wisdom, emphasizes giving kids real-world financial responsibilities to build independence and discipline.
The Joy and Burden of Fatherhood
The podcast wasn’t all serious advice; it was peppered with relatable dad moments, from navigating social media algorithms to reminiscing about first cars (like Mr. Pancakes’ rust-covered “Ferrari” Mazda). But a poignant theme emerged: the societal shift toward viewing children as burdens rather than blessings. Tom shared an epiphany about colleagues questioning his choice to have more kids: “They see kids as a burden, but I see them as a blessing. That’s a fundamental philosophical difference.”
Brandon echoed this, recounting how his son’s driveway hugs after a tough workday erase all stress. “Every pain and annoyance is worth it when he says, ‘How was your day, Dad?’” Mr. Pancakes agreed, noting that his daughter’s “Good night, Dad, I love you” makes even the worst days vanish. These moments underscore why dads endure the challenges of parenting: the love and connection with our kids outweigh the struggles.
Yet, the group also acknowledged modern parenting pitfalls, like outsourcing kids to daycare or schools to avoid responsibility. Eric shared a story of a mom dropping her kid at daycare to “sit around the house,” highlighting a cultural trend of prioritizing personal convenience over family time. Brandon’s principles push back against this, urging dads to embrace responsibility as a path to masculine growth. “Responsibility fills my son with pride,” he said, describing how his son thrives when given tasks like cooking or managing his budget.
Countering a Selfish Culture
The conversation took a broader turn, addressing how societal shifts have impacted fatherhood. Brandon pointed to the baby boomer generation’s focus on consumption, which led to latchkey kids and a decline in hands-on parenting. “Men stopped being men in the proper sense,” he argued. “Undeveloped masculinity has consequences that stretch across decades.” His 100 Principles aim to reverse this by encouraging dads to model duty, service, and resilience.
Mr. Pancakes highlighted the “me-first” culture amplified by social media, where algorithms push distracting content like “boobs and booze” over family values. His nonprofit, the American Liberty Foundation, aims to counter this with positive media, and he invited Brandon to collaborate on spreading their message. “We’re fighting a cultural insurgency,” Mr. Pancakes said. “We need to flood the world with content that builds men up.”
Practical Tips for Dads
Here are actionable takeaways from Brandon’s principles and the Call With Dads discussion:
- Channel Anger Productively: Teach your son (and yourself) to see anger as a signal to reflect and act, not lash out. Ask, “Why am I upset?” and use that energy to solve problems or improve.
- Start Money Lessons Early: Whether through an allowance or task-based earnings, give kids financial responsibilities by age six. Teach budgeting, saving, and giving to build lifelong habits.
- Embrace Responsibility: View parenting as a chance to grow as a man. Shoulder responsibilities at home and in your community to model “developed masculinity” for your son.
- Prioritize Family Time: Resist the urge to outsource parenting. Spend time with your kids, even when it’s tough—they’re blessings, not burdens.
- Seek Wisdom from the Past: Resources like The Boy’s Own Book offer timeless advice. Combine historical insights with modern tools (like X or podcasts) to stay grounded.
Where to Connect
Brandon Moore’s 100 Principles of Fatherhood is a must-read for dads seeking to raise strong sons. Follow him on X at @PonderingMore and sign up for his weekly newsletter at his website for free content. You can also connect with the Call With Dads crew at callwithdads.com or on X, Facebook, and Instagram. Mr. Pancakes’ nonprofit, the American Liberty Foundation, is at TraditionalSociety.com, where donations support their mission to promote traditional values. Tom’s insights and merchandise are available at marriage-material.com and @EarnHerRespect on X.
Final Thoughts
Fatherhood is a journey of growth, both for us and our sons. Brandon Moore’s 100 Principles of Fatherhood remind us that raising men requires intention, discipline, and love. By harnessing emotions, teaching responsibility, and embracing our role as dads, we can counter a selfish culture and build a legacy of strong, principled men. As Brandon put it, “Society accumulates. Barbarism does not.” Let’s raise sons who contribute to a better world—one principle at a time.
Join the conversation on X or at callwithdads.com, and share how you’re raising your sons to be men of character.
