Sadie Story Of The Week

The Helmet Era Begins

We’ve been doing all the right things.

Tummy time. Stretching. Pediatric PT.

But after months of progress, and plenty of head tilts, we got the news: Sadie’s getting a helmet.

Torticollis, leading to plagiocephaly, isn’t uncommon. But hearing your baby needs a helmet still hits different.

You start wondering…

Did we miss something?

Could we have fixed it sooner?

Is this going to bother her?

But here’s the truth we’re sitting with:

Sometimes doing everything right still means needing a little help.

And that’s okay.

She’ll wear her little pink dome like a champ.

We’ll decorate it. Normalize it. Make it part of her superhero origin story.

And one day, we’ll look back and barely remember the “helmet phase” at all.

But today?

We’re just proud of our tough little girl, and grateful for modern medicine.

Dad Tip: A plagiocephaly helmet is harder on you than it is on her. Babies are incredibly adaptable. You’ll overthink it, she’ll forget it’s even on.

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Dad-To-Dad Wisdom

Quote Of The Week

“Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape."

— Anonymous

Here’s the thing about being a dad: your ability to adapt becomes your real superpower.

You can prep the food, pack the bag, have the exact sleep schedule down… and still get blindsided by a diaper blowout in the parking lot or a random meltdown at 2am.

And when it happens?

You pivot.

Because fatherhood isn’t about having it all under control. It’s about showing up even when it’s not.

Especially when it’s not.

So whether it’s switching daycares, scrapping dinner plans, or turning your living room into a doctor’s office, remember:

She won’t remember the plan; she’ll remember that you were there.

That’s what matters.

That’s the dad she’ll grow up believing in.

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Dad Hacks & Tips

The Kindergarten Kissing Chronicles

A buddy of mine called me in a panic last week.

His 5-year-old daughter got sent home with a note: “She’s been kissing everyone in class.”

His first reaction? Pure dad-level embarrassment.
His second? Laughter, because let’s be real, it’s kind of adorable.

But here’s the hack:
Don’t freak out. Teach, don’t shame.

Little kids don’t see kissing the way we do. To them, it’s affection, not scandal.

So the move is to calmly explain boundaries:

• Who we kiss (hint: not the whole class)

• When it’s okay (family, close friends, with permission)

• And why consent matters—even in kindergarten

Remember, moments like this aren’t discipline disasters, they’re golden parenting opportunities in disguise.

Bonus tip: If you ever get in this predicament, don’t tell her she’s “bad.” Tell her she’s kind, and now she’s learning how to share that kindness in the right way.

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Girl Dad Spotlight

“What I learned firsthand, and what you should not forget when flying with an infant or toddler, is a change of clothes for yourself.”

-Christian S.

I’m originally from Sweden and live outside Boston, where my wife is from. Having family overseas means traveling with kids early.

The first time we traveled with my daughter was for Christmas. She was 8 months old at the time, and we had planned and prepared well. Unfortunately, after we had boarded, takeoff was delayed for an hour, meaning that by the time she had to sit buckled on my lap, she had run out of patience.

She would sometimes throw up when she cried intensely. Which was exactly what happened. During takeoff for an 8-hour transatlantic flight, she threw up all over herself, and me.

Of course we had a change of clothes for her, but during all the preparations for that first flight, I had also read a tip from someone that you shouldn’t forget a change of clothes for yourself.

Thankfully, I had followed that advice and had a change of clothes for myself, in addition to the multiple outfits we had packed for her. The rest of the trip was easy enough, but that lesson stuck with me.

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The more heartfelt or hilarious, the better.

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

When your head hits the pillow, which thought about being a dad keeps you up most?

Last week’s poll got real.

Top concerns? A near-tie between:

“Am I present enough, or just around?” and “Am I patient enough when it counts?”

Not far behind:

“What will she remember about me?”

“Am I setting the right example?”

“Am I actually teaching her what she needs?”

Here’s the truth: presence and patience are the two hardest things to give when life’s moving fast. But the fact that so many of you are even asking these questions means you care deeply.

You’re not just showing up.

You’re showing up with purpose.

And that’s the kind of dad she’ll never forget.

The Last Crumb

Don’t Forget Your First Teammate

Before the diapers and the dance recitals… there was just the two of you.

And while being a girl dad is the role of a lifetime, don’t forget the person who helped you land the part.

So book the sitter.

Pick a place that doesn’t have a kids’ menu.

And go remind each other you’re more than just co-parents.

Because when she sees love between her parents, love that’s playful, steady, and real, it teaches her what she deserves too.

Even if the vibe is more "tired parents" than "hot date," making time still matters.

You’ve got this, Dad.

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