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- GDD Issue #23
GDD Issue #23
A weekly dose of practical tips, honest moments, and gear recs for dads raising daughters.


Introducing: Daddy, My Hero
Our very first children’s book is here. And it’s something special.
Daddy, My Hero isn’t just another bedtime story.
It’s a full-on bonding experience made for dads and daughters.
Follow along as a little girl and her dad turn an ordinary day into an epic backyard adventure, all through the eyes of a daughter who sees her dad as a real-life superhero.
✅ Rhymes that flow
✅ Heartfelt moments that hit
✅ A story that reminds her who’s always by her side
Bonus: Includes a professionally narrated audio version that brings the adventure to life, perfect for car rides, bedtime, or anytime.
This book is our thank-you for helping us hit 10,000 Girl Dad Diaries subscribers and showing the world that intentional fatherhood matters.
Launch pricing ends soon. Be one of the first to grab it.
Because every daughter deserves to feel like the main character, and every dad deserves to be reminded: You are her hero.
Sadie Story Of The Week
The Great Roll Escape
Sadie can’t crawl yet...
But don’t tell her that.
Because this girl?
She’s figured out her own system.
One roll at a time.
We’ll set her down on the playmat, blink, and suddenly she’s halfway across the room with a mischievous little smirk like, “I told you I’d get there.”
She rolls off the couch.
Rolls during diaper changes.
Rolls in her crib.
She is constantly on the move, just not in a straight line.
It’s like she’s building her own GPS, “recalculating” with every barrel roll.
And watching her figure it all out?
That’s the best part.
Because even without crawling… she’s going places.
Dad Tip:
Give her space to explore, on her belly, on the floor, and even on your chest. You’re raising a little adventurer. Let her roam (safely).
Dad-Stuff We’re Eyeing
Fall-Edition
➠ Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Speaker
➠ Viking Revolution Men's Facial Skin Care Kit
➠ True Classic Mens T-Shirts – Short Sleeve Crew Neck
Own a Home? Unlock Lower Auto Insurance Rates
Owning a home gets you equity, a place that’s all yours, and now, better auto insurance rates. Drivers who own their home, own multiple cars, and have a clean driving record can save big by comparing insurance rates. And now, with EverQuote, that process is easier than ever.
EverQuote is a smart insurance marketplace built for people like you. We simplify the entire process:
Quick & Easy: Stop filling out the same forms repeatedly.
Maximum Savings: We connect you with trusted national and local carriers.
Confidence in Coverage: Our platform helps you compare and confidently select the perfect policy.
You deserve great coverage without the headache.
Dad-To-Dad Wisdom
Quote Of The Week
“ Showing up is 80% of life."
— Woody Allen
There are days when showing up feels easy, like Saturday mornings with pancakes and belly laughs.
Then there are days when it doesn’t.
Work ran long. Your patience ran short. Your energy’s on E.
But here’s the truth, most dads don’t hear enough:
She won’t remember how tired you were.
She’ll remember that you were there.
The bedtime story you almost skipped…
The tea party you sat down for with your work pants still on…
The hug after a hard day, even when you didn’t have the words…
Those moments feel small.
But to her? They’re everything.
You don’t need to show up perfectly.
You just need to show up consistently.
Because presence beats perfection. Every single time.
Dad Tip:
Hard day? Give her five undivided minutes before anything else. Put the phone down. Sit on the floor. Let her lead. You’d be surprised how much connection fits into just five minutes.
Dad Hacks & Tips
Model What Matters
You can tell her how to act all day long…
But what she sees will always speak louder than what she hears.
That deep breath you take instead of snapping?
That’s emotional regulation.
The way you greet the grocery clerk with kindness?
That’s teaching respect.
How you treat her mom, even when you're tired or frustrated?
That's setting the bar for how she’ll expect to be treated one day.
The truth is:
You’re not just raising a daughter. You’re raising a future partner, friend, leader, and human.
And while she may not listen to everything you say,
she’s always watching how you live.
So when you mess up? Own it.
When you fall short? Apologize.
When you succeed? Stay humble.
Because showing her what being a good man looks like in action
is one of the most powerful gifts you can give.
Dad Tip:
Say this out loud when you make a mistake:
“Hey, I didn’t handle that well. I’m sorry.”
It teaches her that strong people can still be accountable, especially the ones she trusts the most.

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
What's been your most unexpected joy in fatherhood? |
Vote now!
Results will be posted in next Friday’s newsletter. (All votes are anonymous)
Last Week’s Poll Results
When your daughter asks “Why?” for the 47th time today, you…

The results are in—and turns out, most of us are holding on to our sanity by a juice box thread.
🥇 “Try to answer every one (I’m patient… mostly)” took the top spot by a landslide. Props to all the dads who summon their inner Mr. Rogers daily. You deserve a sticker. Or a nap.
🥈 In second place? “Make something up.” Sometimes, clouds are just sky marshmallows, and honestly… who’s arguing?
🥉 Redirect her attention and Hide in the bathroom for 5 minutes of peace tied for the bronze, because occasionally, the best answer to “Why?” is… silence.
Let’s be real.
Her curiosity is beautiful.
But your exhaustion? That’s real, too.
So whether you’re spinning stories, dishing facts, or hiding behind a locked door with a granola bar, you’re doing great, Dad.
Keep showing up.
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
Letting Her See You Feel
Somewhere along the way, a lot of us were taught to toughen up.
To “man up.”
To bottle it in.
But here’s the truth:
Your daughter learns how to process her feelings by watching how you handle yours.
If she sees you name your stress, your frustration, your sadness, she learns it’s safe to do the same.
If she sees you cry and still be strong, she understands that strength and softness can exist together.
If she hears “I had a hard day,” she knows it’s okay to have one too.
You don’t have to be stoic.
You just have to be real.
Because being a dad isn’t about hiding the hard parts.
It’s about guiding her through them with honesty, love, and a few deep breaths.
And maybe, just maybe, that’s the bravest thing we can do.
Want to Get in Front of 10k+ Dads?
If you’ve got a business dads should know about, let’s connect.
Girl Dad Diaries hits inboxes of over 10,000 engaged fathers every week & we’re now opening limited ad spots.
We just launched our social media accounts. Give us a follow!
You can also connect with me on LinkedIn here.
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