Sadie Story Of The Week

Helmet Win, Wallet Win

This week, we got one of those rare parenting moments where the stars align… and the insurance company doesn’t totally wreck your budget.

We’d been prepping ourselves to shell out $3,000 for Sadie’s cranial helmet to help with her torticollis. Not exactly a small-ticket item—and definitely not something you want to need… but here we are.

We braced for the hit.

Called.
Submitted.
Waited.

And then came the news:

Insurance covered almost all of it. We only had to pay $500.

Cue the happy tears and dad dance in the living room.

It’s a small helmet, but a huge step for her. And knowing we could get her what she needed without draining our savings? That’s a win worth celebrating.

Lesson Learned: Always double-check your coverage. Even when you assume it’s a no, especially when the stakes (and the price tags) are high. Advocacy and a few extra calls can make a big difference.

Dad-Stuff We’re Eyeing

➠ Amazon Echo Show 8 With Spatial Audio

➠ Walnut End Grain Wood Cutting Board with Handle

➠ Carhartt Rugged Flex® Relaxed Fit Work Pants

Sneak Peek Alert: Our First Children’s Book Drops Next Week!

To celebrate hitting 10,000 active Girl Dad Diaries subscribers, we’re doing something special...

"Daddy, My Hero" — our first-ever children’s book — is launching next week!

It’s a heartwarming adventure packed with imagination, bravery, and the kind of dad-daughter magic we celebrate every week in your inbox.

And because this community made it possible, our launch price will be the lowest it’ll ever be.

Be on the lookout next week! Early readers, bonus goodies, and proud dad moments await.

Let’s make storytime legendary.

Dad-To-Dad Wisdom

Quote Of The Week

“ Boundaries aren’t walls. They’re bridges built with love."

— Unknown

“Don’t make me be the bad guy.”

Ever said that? Thought it?
You’re not alone.

Balancing warmth and boundaries is one of the hardest jobs we have as dads. We want to be fun. We want to be safe. We want to be hers. But we also know, she needs limits.

The fear? That telling her “no” will somehow damage the relationship we’re building.

The truth? Boundaries protect the relationship. They create safety, not distance.

You can be the guy who plays tea party and the guy who says “enough screen time.”

You can be her rock and the reason she learns what respect looks like.

Discipline doesn’t mean yelling.
It doesn’t mean shutting down.
It means showing up with calm, clear expectations—even when you’d rather give in.

Because one day, she’ll look back and realize:
The rules didn’t push you away. They brought you closer.

Looking for more support? The Girl Dad’s Guide to Mindful Parenting is packed with bite-sized strategies to set boundaries with love, without losing your connection.

Dad Tip:
Explain the “why.” Even at 3 years old. She may not fully get it, but she’ll feel respected. And every calm explanation now teaches her how to self-regulate later.

Dad Hacks & Tips

Protecting Time Like a Pro

Being a great dad doesn’t mean ditching your career, it means getting smarter about how you show up for both.

One of the most powerful things you can do?
Set boundaries at work so you can be fully present at home.

• Block time on your calendar for family dinner like you would a client meeting.

• Use “Do Not Disturb” mode when it’s storytime or bath time.

• Stop saying “yes” to every after-hours request that can wait until morning.

• Batch your meetings so you’re not scattered and reactive all day.

The truth is, if you don’t guard your time, someone else will fill it for you.

Dad Tip:
The emails can wait. The memories can’t. Every “not now” to work is a quiet “yes” to your daughter.

Small Moments. Big Memories. Everyday Bonding Made Easy.

Being a dad isn’t about grand gestures, it’s about the little moments she’ll remember forever. Here are simple, screen-free ways to laugh, learn, and connect with your daughter (even on your busiest days):

Daddy & Me Learning Pack - Never run out of ways to keep her entertained and learning. 92 pages of screen-free games, crafts, and educational activities that make bonding effortless.

Girl Dad Guide to Mindful Parenting - Beat dad guilt with quick, practical tips to show up with intention. Packed with bite-sized wins that fit into any schedule.

100 Kid-Friendly Recipes - Turn mealtime into memory-making time. Delicious, simple dishes designed to bring dads & daughters together in the kitchen (yes, even picky eaters).

Daddy & Daughter Coupon Book - 30 silly, sweet, and unforgettable coupons she can cash in. From pancake breakfasts to dance-party nights. Guaranteed giggles every time.

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

Public, Private, Or Homeschool. Where is your daughter?

Last week, we asked: Where is your daughter getting her education?

The results weren’t even close; most of you are rocking the public school route, favoring the local, diverse, community-based experience. Whether it’s for the friendships, convenience, or budget, it’s clear that public school is still the go-to for most Girl Dads.

Private school came in second, with dads citing smaller class sizes and more structure as the big draw.

A smaller, but thoughtful group is leaning into homeschool or alternative education, while others are still in the thick of decision-making — researching, touring, and weighing what’s best.

Bottom line? There’s no one-size-fits-all approach.
Just dads trying to make the best call for their girl. And that’s what matters most.

Featured Dad Spotlight

We want to shine the spotlight on you.

We’ll be featuring one incredible Girl Dad in an upcoming newsletter. Someone who’s in the trenches, doing the work, and showing up with love, laughter, and maybe a little bit of chaos.

Want in?

Tell us about your journey so far, the wins, the lessons, the moment she melted you into a puddle.

And most importantly, share one piece of advice you’d pass on to other Girl Dads.

Submit your story here for a chance to be featured.

We can’t wait to brag about you.

The Last Crumb

It’s Almost Open Enrollment Time

Open enrollment season is creeping up, aka that magical window where you can actually change your benefits without a life-altering event.

And if you're anything like me, you clicked “same as last year” without thinking the last time around.

But now? You’ve got a tiny human depending on you.
It might be time to double-check that your health, dental, vision, and life insurance actually fit the family you’re building.

Whether it's adding your daughter to your plan, upping your life insurance, or finally choosing that FSA you’ve been ignoring—future you (and your family) will thank you.

This year, don’t just default.

Decide.

Dad Tip:
Block 30 minutes this week to log into your HR portal. Review your health, dental, and life insurance, and think about the year ahead. Don't wait until the deadline hits, you’ll never regret being overprepared for the people you love most.

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