Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce has established himself as one of the NFL’s top offensive linemen over the past decade. While football remains his profession, Kelce’s top priority is being the best father he can be to his three young children. Through interviews with Kelce and his wife Kylie over the years, we get glimpses into his parenting approach that offer valuable lessons any parent can apply.

Be Present and Playful

Kylie has mentioned in past interviews that Jason is definitely the “fun one” when it comes to playtime with their kids. Even after a long day of NFL practices and workouts, Kelce makes it a point to get down on the floor and engage in imaginative play with his son, daughter, and newborn. Whether it’s having tea parties, playing dress-up, or constructing elaborate block structures, Kelce enjoys entering their world and having a good time.

“He’ll get down there and be just as into it as they are, if not more,” Kylie told People magazine. “It doesn’t matter if it’s dress-up or playing with dolls. He’s fully committed.”

This playful presence helps build strong bonds between Kelce and his children from a young age. Even if the play occasionally leads to some chaos, as Kylie jokes is often the case, the quality time spent engaging with his kids is invaluable. It teaches them that even during busy days, they have Dad’s full attention when he’s home.

For parents with hectic schedules, this is an important lesson. Make the most of non-screen time interactions by being fully present and engaged in activities that interest your child, even if you have to set aside your phone or other distractions temporarily. Focused playtime, however brief, can make a big difference in the parent-child relationship.

Embrace the Unpredictable Nature of Parenting

In another interview with the Today show, Kelce offered advice for navigating family trips to Disney World with young kids. His suggestion went against rigid planning – instead, he emphasized the importance of going with the flow.

“You can’t really plan a Disney trip. You show up and you just kind of go with whatever happens,” Kelce said. “The kids are going to be tired, cranky. You got to be flexible.”

This attitude of embracing unpredictability and adapting to the kids’ needs in the moment, rather than sticking stubbornly to an itinerary, is a valuable lesson for any parent. The parenting journey is filled with surprises, from temper tantrums to potty training setbacks to sick days that derail carefully crafted schedules.

Rather than frustration over lost plans, Kelce’s approach teaches the importance of flexibility. Going with the flow and problem-solving on the fly helps reduce parental stress. It also demonstrates acceptance of kids’ emotions and needs as they arise. Being able to roll with life’s punches is a life skill we want our children to learn, so modeling it is important.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

While Kylie jokes about the “three against one” dynamic when Kelce is home helping with parenting duties, their partnership is clearly rooted in teamwork. In football, Kelce relies on effective communication and collaboration with teammates to succeed – and he brings that same approach to co-parenting.

Sharing responsibilities like childcare, household chores, meal-planning and more requires coordination between parents. It also means supporting each other’s parenting styles and making joint decisions. When working as a united team, the load feels lighter for both individuals. The kids also reap the benefits of consistency from a harmonious co-parenting dynamic.

Finding a Balance with Technology

In a Fatherly interview, Kelce admitted to struggles with phone use that could negatively impact parenting. “I’m trying to be better about being present when I’m home instead of being on my phone,” he said. Like many parents today, setting device boundaries is an ongoing challenge. But acknowledging the importance of moderation is an important step.

For busy families, the constant stream of notifications and updates on our screens can easily pull our attention away from what matters most – our children. But making conscious efforts like placing phones in another room during mealtimes or dedicating screen-free play periods helps achieve a better work-life-technology balance. It ensures high-quality interactions and teaches kids healthy digital habits.

Overall Parenting Philosophy

While these snippets don’t paint a complete picture of Kelce’s parenting approach, they do offer some overarching themes. He prioritizes being present and fully engaged during non-screen family time. Embracing unpredictability and flexibility helps reduce stress when inevitable challenges arise. Strong teamwork and communication with his wife supports their co-parenting goals. And finding balance with technology reminds us of its proper role in modern families.

Above all, Kelce’s playful nature and enthusiasm for activities that bring joy to his kids, like imaginative play, trips to Disney, and family dinners together, show the importance of fun in parenting. It fosters close bonds during developmental years and creates happy memories that last a lifetime. His willingness to get down on the floor and join in the fun, even after long days on the job, sets an example many fathers can learn from.

Of course, every family’s dynamic is unique. But Kelce’s approach, as glimpsed through these interviews, emphasizes qualities like presence, partnership, flexibility and balance that can benefit all types of parents. While football remains his career, his top priority appears to be cultivating nurturing relationships with his children. The lessons of being a hands-on, playful and adaptable dad are ones any parent would be wise to consider.