Sadie Story Of The Week

The Great Airport Readiness Mission

We haven’t flown with Sadie yet. But based on the stories we’ve heard… we may as well be prepping for battle.

Recommended battle-tested flight gear:

✅ Noise-canceling baby headphones

✅ Portable white noise machine

✅ New toys she’s never seen

✅ Tushbaby Safety-Certified Hip Carrier (Airplane hack)

✅ A diaper bag packed tighter than a carry-on suitcase

✅ Snacks. So many snacks. For her and for me.

People say flying with babies is chaos. Some say it's no big deal. Others say it’s like strapping a ticking time bomb to your lap and hoping for smooth skies.

Honestly? We’re ready for any outcome.

If she sleeps, miracle.

If she screams, we’ll survive.

If she poops mid-takeoff, we’ve trained for this.

Our first flight won’t just be another trip. It’ll be a memory. And whether we land with a smiling baby or PTSD from row 18, it’s one more adventure we get to share.

Dad Tip: If you’re flying with a little one soon, try boarding last, bring extra clothes for both of you, and don’t forget, every annoyed passenger was once a baby too.

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Dad-To-Dad Wisdom

Quote Of The Week

“There are two gifts we should give our children: one is roots, the other is wings."

— Hodding Carter

It sneaks up on you.

One day, you're helping her into her little Velcro shoes for preschool.

The next, she's walking into a new grade with a bigger backpack, a little more confidence, and less help tying those shoes.

Every new school year is a level-up, academically, emotionally, and socially.

And with each one, she inches closer to the girl she’s becoming.

It’s easy to miss the small changes:

The new words she picks up.

How her questions go from “Why is the sky blue?” to “Why do people lie?”

But here’s the thing, our job doesn’t change.

We’re still the steady hand.

The ride to school.

The after-school snack provider.

The “you’ve got this” voice when she doubts herself.

Celebrate each grade like a birthday.

Because growing up is a privilege, and watching her grow is an even bigger one.

She’s leveling up. Just make sure she always knows you’re in her corner.

Looking for Simple Ways to Connect & Grow Together?

Daddy & Me Learning Pack - Packed with 92 pages of screen-free educational activities.

Girl Dad Guide to Mindful Parenting - All about showing up with intention, chock-full of quick wins for a deeper connection.

100 Kid-Friendly Recipes - Delicious dishes designed to bring dads & daughters together in the kitchen for fun, learning, and unforgettable memories.

Daddy & Daughter Coupon Book - Filled with 30 adorable, silly, and heartwarming coupons that daughters can redeem from dad.

Dad Hacks & Tips

The Great Cell Phone Standoff

Here’s the deal: the longer you can hold off on giving her a phone, the better.

It’s not about being “that strict dad.” It’s about protecting her brain, her time, and her sense of self before algorithms start whispering in her ear 24/7.

Yes, it’ll feel like every other kid in class has one.

Yes, she’ll beg, negotiate, and hit you with “But I’ll only use it for emergencies!”

(You won’t win that debate, but you’re not supposed to.)

But what will you win?

More years of real eye contact.

More boredom that sparks imagination.

More childhood before it’s filtered through a screen.

Set clear milestones, like reaching middle school or needing it for safety during solo routines.

And even then, start with training wheels: basic phone, no social, time limits.

Hold the line, Dad. Her childhood is worth protecting.

Bonus Tip: When the time does come, make it a conversation, not a surprise. Set up tech rules together so she knows the phone is a tool, not a toy.

Dad Gear Spotlight

The Tactical Diaper Bag That Doesn’t Scream "Diaper Bag"

Let’s be real, most diaper bags weren’t designed with you in mind. But this one? Built different.

The Wolf Tactical Diaper Bag was made for dads who want to stay organized without carrying something that looks like it belongs at mommy-and-me yoga.

➡ Military-inspired design with Molle webbing

➡ Water-resistant, rugged 600D polyester

➡ Insulated side pockets for bottles

➡ Quick-access magnetic wipes pouch

➡ Spacious 24L capacity (but still light)

➡ Comes with a premium, easy-clean changing pad

Whether you’re braving a grocery store blowout or just need hands-free dad mode at the park, this bag’s got your back.

Modern dad mission: keep your kid alive… and look good doing it.

Papa Poll Of The Week

Vote now!

Results will be posted in next Friday’s newsletter. (All votes are anonymous)

Last Week’s Poll Results

How much are you currently paying per month for daycare or childcare?

Looks like many of you are either DIY’ing daycare with family or doing the stay-at-home juggle yourselves, which topped the poll.

But right behind that? A pretty much three-way tie between those paying $1,000+ to over $2,000 per month.

Yep. That’s mortgage-level stuff.

Whether you’re tapping in grandma, writing fat checks, or somewhere in between, one thing’s clear: there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, just what works best for your family right now.

And if you’re wondering if it ever gets cheaper… yeah, we’re wondering too.

The Last Crumb

Strong Enough to Feel

One of the greatest gifts we can give our daughters?

Letting them see us feel.

Not just the proud moments or goofy ones, but the real, human stuff.

The overwhelm. The joy. The frustration. The tears.

Opening up doesn’t make you weak.

It shows her that emotions don’t have to be hidden, no matter your gender.

Because someday, when she’s wrestling with big feelings of her own…

She won’t be afraid to speak up.

She’ll know strength and softness can live in the same heartbeat.

And she’ll have you to thank for that.

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