Tell the Dear Fathers community more about who you are and what you do?
My name is Antwan Henry Sr. I’m a husband, father of 10, and the creator of Breaking Cycles, a community centered on faith, fatherhood, marriage, and personal growth.
I create content from our everyday life, whether that’s praying with my family, working out, cleaning our home, or baking together for our family business, Henry Family Kitchen. I want men to see how much their everyday involvement matters.
Behind the content is a man who’s still learning. I’m working on myself while raising children who are watching how I live. My faith in God guides me, and my family gives me daily opportunities to put that faith into practice.
Did you imagine having a big family, or did that vision develop as your life unfolded?
Yes, I always wanted a big family. My grandmother had 20 children, so a big family was part of my own family’s story long before I became a father. Now I’m a father of 10, building my own chapter.
As a dad, I want each of my children to feel seen, heard, and deeply loved. Having a big family makes me intentional about getting to know each child individually and building a relationship with each of them.
What is your relationship with your dad and how has that impacted the man you are today?
I didn’t have a good relationship with my father growing up. He’s been out of my life since I was seven months old. Growing up with his absence shaped my desire to be a present father for my own children.
I respect my father, and I’ve come to accept that my journey has helped shape the man I am today. I believe God can use what I’ve been through to help me teach and encourage other men.
I’ve always wanted my children to know their dad and feel that they can count on me. I want to listen to them, comfort them, guide them, and be part of their everyday lives.
That’s a personal part of Breaking Cycles for me. I can’t change the relationship I grew up without, but I can take responsibility for the relationships I’m building with my children. I’m still learning, but I’m committed to showing up and making sure they know they’re loved.
Who is Antwan as a Father?
I’m a father who wants his children to know they can count on him. I want to be involved in their lives, understand their personalities, and make room for who each of them is becoming.
I enjoy working out with them, teaching them things, laughing together, and letting them work alongside me. Those moments give us opportunities to connect.
I’m also learning that my intentions and my impact don’t always match. Loving my children means listening when I miss something, taking responsibility, and making adjustments. I want them to remember a father who kept growing with them.
What does breaking curses look like for you?
For me, it begins with prayer and being honest with myself. I have to be willing to ask God to show me where I need to change, then take responsibility for what I do next.
It shows up in how I handle frustration, how I speak to my wife, how I correct my children, and whether I can admit when I’m wrong. I don’t want to excuse a harmful pattern just because it feels familiar.
That’s the heart of Breaking Cycles. I want to give my children healthier ways to love, communicate, and handle difficult moments. It’s ongoing work, and I have to practice what I’m asking them to learn.
Do you go about raising your daughters and sons in different ways? If so, how do you balance them?
I want my sons and daughters to grow up knowing they deserve love, respect, guidance, and accountability.
Some conversations will be different because of their experiences and stages of life. But I also have to learn each child as an individual. Having 10 children reminds me that what reaches one child may not reach another in the same way.
I want my sons to know they can be strong and express their feelings. I want my daughters to feel confident using their voices and setting boundaries. All of them need opportunities to become responsible, caring people. My job is to keep listening and make sure each child feels seen.
As a husband and father of 10, how do you prioritize self-care while being the best dad you can?
Early mornings are important to me. I make time for prayer, devotion, and exercise. Those routines give me space to gather my thoughts and work on myself before the day gets busy.
Fitness is a big part of my life, but I’m also learning to pay attention to my emotional health and my need for rest. I have to recognize when I’m frustrated or stretched thin instead of letting everyone around me feel it.
I want my children to see that taking care of yourself is part of being responsible for the people who depend on you.
How do you and your wife balance the workload when it comes to raising 10 children?
Raising 10 children requires teamwork and a willingness to adjust. There’s always something that needs attention, and what each of us can carry changes with the season we’re in.
I make it a point to be involved in the everyday work, including cleaning, caring for the children, and creating space for my wife to rest. I also have to listen to what she actually needs rather than assume I already know.
We’re still learning how to communicate and support each other better. I want our children to see both of us taking responsibility for the home and family we’re building together.
Define what legacy means to you?
Legacy is what my family carries from having been loved by me.
It’s how my children learn to treat people, how they handle mistakes, and whether they feel safe asking for help. It’s the example of marriage they witness and the understanding of faith they develop through what they see at home.
I want to build something meaningful for them, including opportunities and stability. I also want them to have memories of a father who made time, listened, apologized, and kept his word.
When they tell their own stories one day, I hope they can speak about how deeply they were loved.
Any advice for men looking to be the best father and husband they can be?
Start by listening to your family. Ask your wife what support would make a difference. Ask your children what they enjoy doing with you. Give them room to answer honestly, and take their answers seriously.
Be willing to apologize without immediately defending yourself. Follow through on the small things. Learn your children beyond their behavior, and keep getting to know your wife as life changes.
Make room for God, accountability, and support in your own life. You don’t have to have every answer to take responsibility and grow. Your family needs your consistent effort, including on the ordinary days when nobody else sees it.
What’s next for you and how can people connect with you?
I’m working to grow Breaking Cycles and create more opportunities for honest conversations about faith, fatherhood, marriage, and personal growth.
I’d love to bring those conversations into speaking engagements, interviews, and spaces where men can connect and learn from one another. I’m also continuing to create family content and build Henry Family Kitchen with my family.
People can connect with me on Instagram at @antwanhenry_ and follow along with Breaking Cycles. My hope is that something I share encourages a man to take a meaningful step toward his family and his own growth.
