Dad Shares 5-Word Message He'll Always Have For Sons As They Grow Up

A father of three has shared the important five-word message he will tell his sons when they get older.

Ben, 49, from Perth in western Australia, is concerned about what the future holds for his family. "I have three young boys and I'm worried for their life ahead," he told Newsweek. "The cost of buying a home. Supporting a young family. Even finding time to look after themselves. I know it's getting harder for everyone these days so what will it be like in 20 years?"

He's not alone in expressing concern for his kids. Last year, a Pew Research Center survey found that as many as four-in-ten U.S. parents with children younger than 18 were extremely or very worried that their children might struggle with anxiety or depression at some point.

That's what makes the message Ben shared in a 31-second video posted to his TikTok account family_future_first so important. "This is what my wife and I are going to tell our three boys when they get older," he explains on the video.

"If you ever feel so incredibly lonely that you need it, come home. If your relationship fails, come home. If you are struggling mentally, come home. If it costs too much with your bills, come home. And if something goes so incredibly wrong that you need it, come home and we'll help you fix it."

He continues: "But most importantly, no matter where you are in life, no matter how old you are, or what the relationship we have, your home is always our home."

Though that simple message of "you can always come home" is one Ben is determined to live by as his kids get older. It's part of a shift toward a more thoughtful, supportive parenting stance.

Just over a decade ago, a 2013 study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology highlighted the importance of grit as a key personality trait in the pursuit of success.

The research identified a correlation between educational attainment and this particular trait and the innate ability to sustain focus on a long-term goal. Grit requires mental strength and a degree of self-discipline and independence, away from the watchful eye and helping hand of a mom or dad.

However, that flies in the face of parenting for many today. A 2024 Pew Research Center survey highlighted this trend with 41 percent of parents saying their children rely on them a great deal or a fair amount for emotional support.

Where once this level of support might have been branded something verging on so-called "helicopter parenting" many of today's moms and dads are embracing a more hands-on role in helping their kids navigate the demands of adult life.

Ben created his video because the message that "they always have a safe home to come back to if they have problems" was really important to him and his wife.

Despite this outlook, as a dad struggling to make ends meet, he's filled with anxiety for the future. "I worry for my three boys when they start earning an income. What the world will be like for them," he said. "Everything we need just to survive takes up every dollar. Holidays are limited and cheap. Birthdays are small. Clothes are the cheapest I can afford. All the while the rich are getting richer and I can't make ends meet."

While he is eager for them to explore opportunities to make their lives easier financially, his number one piece of advice for any families out there is simple in that it doesn't require anything other than effort.

"Hold your family close," he said. "Cherish them and make a future for them and with them. Life has changed from 40 years ago. Support for your family is critical in success for the future."