Sadie Story Of The Week

The Great Daycare Debate

We’ve officially entered the “what do we do with the baby while we work?” phase.

The options:

Daycare, where she could make friends, learn routines, and bring home 14 new germs a week.

Not to mention us having to pay when she’s not there, like when she’s sick or when we go on vacation. (AKA i’m in the wrong business)

Or a nanny, one-on-one attention, no commute… but also, we’re trusting a stranger in our house.

Either way, it feels like we’re making a big decision for a very small human.

We keep asking:

What’s going to help her grow?

What’s going to give her comfort when we’re not there?

And maybe most importantly, what’s going to feel right for her?

The truth is, she’s not going to remember this decision.

But we will.

Because it’s the first of many times we’ll choose what’s best for her, even when it’s not easy.

Lesson learned: Being a parent means making hard calls with a soft heart.

Dad Tip: There’s no perfect option. Just the best one for your family, your season, and your sanity. Go with your gut, you know her better than anyone.

Quick Question for the Real Ones…

Ready to be part of something big?

We’re thinking about creating a private girl dad group for those of us who want to learn from each other, swap parenting hacks, and feel a little less alone in the chaos.

But only if enough dads are into it.

Wanna help us shape it?

Dad-To-Dad Wisdom

Quote Of The Week

"You’ll never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory."

— Dr. Seuss

One minute, you’re rocking her to sleep with a pacifier.

The next, she’s insisting on putting her shoes on by herself on the first day of school.

It happens fast, too fast.

And while we’re busy figuring things out, trying to juggle life and responsibility, she’s growing in the background. Quietly. Constantly.

So take the picture. Say yes to one more bedtime story. Watch her closely, even when you think there’s nothing new to see.

Because one day, you’ll look back and realize… that moment?

That was the good stuff.

Dad Hacks & Tips

The Chore Starter Pack

When should you start giving your daughter chores?

Short answer: sooner than you think.

Not because she needs to scrub baseboards at age 3… but because little kids love to help, until they realize it’s not optional.

Start simple, have her:

Put her own clothes in the hamper

Help “set” the table (aka throw forks in random places)

Wipe up spills with a paper towel

Carry her backpack to the door

Why it works:

✔️ Builds independence

✔️ Creates routine

✔️ Teaches her that contributing is part of being a family, not a punishment

Bonus: She feels proud. You feel slightly more in control. And maybe, just maybe, you’re not the only one picking Goldfish off the floor anymore.

Looking for simple ways to connect and grow together?

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

Girl Dad Guide to Mindful Parenting - All about showing up with intention, packed with 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.

Papa Poll Of The Week

Vote now!

Results will be posted in next Friday’s newsletter.

Last Week’s Poll Results

What does snack time look like at your house?

The snack struggle is very real.

Top spot?

“Snacks are a personality trait now.”

Because at some point, it stops being about hunger and starts being about identity. She’s not eating the fruit snacks, she’s becoming them.

Runner-up?

“She asks for something, then says ‘not that.’”

Classic bait-and-switch. You bring her the thing she begged for, and suddenly you’re the villain. No snack is safe. No dad is emotionally prepared.

Moral of the story: Snacks aren’t a food group, they’re a battlefield.

The Last Crumb

The Road Ahead

She can’t even reach the pedals yet, but somehow… you’re already dreading the day of her first driver’s test.

The thought of her behind the wheel with crazy people on the road, windows down, music up, independence full throttle, makes your heart swell and ache all at once.

Because teaching her to drive won’t be the hard part.

Letting her go will be.

But until then?

You buckle the car seat.
You adjust the mirror.
And you soak up every backseat giggle while you still can.

You’ve got this, Dad.