This year’s batch turned out great, while the evening itself took a turn. Our five-year-old managed to re-break his arm that had just healed, courtesy of the backyard bounce house, and we closed out Easter Sunday in the ER as they reset it and fit him for a new cast. He’s fine, all’s well, and we’re already back to full chaos. Here’s to the traditions worth repeating, and the ones that better not 😁 –KC

The Fried Chicken Recipe

Here’s the most current version of the recipe. Whole chickens, broken down into about 8-10 pieces per bird, brined overnight in buttermilk and Frank’s RedHot. Twenty-four hours in the fridge and the meat comes out tender, seasoned all the way through, and full of flavor. Day of, I double dredge in seasoned flour and starch, then into the outdoor fryer at 325-350°F. Depending on how you scale it, it’s a full day project. But it’s a lot of fun and totally worth the effort imo. –KC

Fried Chicken Dadvice

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Going to Easter Service on Saturday

I know this is going to sound crazy but hear me out. I have had 2 Easters as a father and both times we have made it to the Saturday service instead of Sunday. Its a great idea.

One caveat before diving in - Easter is the Super Bowl of the Christian faith. So I am not making this recommendation to “check the box” of going to church.

Our church has a 4 o’clock and 6 o’clock Saturday service. Then on Sunday they had a 9, 11, 1, and 3 options. There is a huge push from our church to avoid the 9 and 11 to save room for visitors. So your options really are 1 and 3 on Sunday or picking a Saturday option. We have found the 4 o’clock on Saturday to be perfect. It allows you to go church, experience the service, then you are able to be at home for a typical bed time routine. Then Sunday you have a slow morning doing Easter fun. Have a typical rhythm of naptime. Once the baby is awake you are able to proceed with whatever Easter traditions you have. Hitting the Saturday service is something we will do for a long time. -SW

Turn the Sprinklers On During Masters Week

When I moved to Colorado I didn’t know anything about “real” winters. When I bought a house I didn’t know anything about home ownership. So I had to do a lot of personal research to figure out what it meant to winterize sprinklers in the Fall and what it meant to turn them on in the Spring.

True Coloradans say to not turn your sprinklers on for the Spring until Mother’s Day. For the last 4 years I have made it my tradition to turn them on during Masters week.

For me, this is a tradition that signifies the start of Summer. We might get hit with one or two more snows but there are more warm days than cold days in the month of April. This is the time to start transitioning your mindset into this is the best time of the year to live here. Softball is once a week, I try to book a tee time once a week, I tend to do more grilling, and its the start of lawn care season. There’s nothing better and Masters week is the milestone event to kick it all off. I encourage you to tradition stack Masters week with something you love. -SW

Just for Dad: Grab A Few Extra Sprinkler Heads

Every spring I turn the sprinklers back on and find out at least one head got cracked over the winter or is spraying sideways into the fence. Last year I made two separate trips to Home Depot because I didn’t think to grab extras the first time. Now I just pick up a few replacement heads at the first of the season when I’m stocking up on other spring stuff. They’re a couple bucks each, they’re easy to swap out, and having them on the shelf means I’m not running back to the store mid-project on a Saturday. –KC

Dadvice Weekly is Kyle and Skyler—two friends in their thirties, living in Colorado, settling into fatherhood and trying to stay sane. Every Tuesday we share what’s working in our homes: gear we use, routines we’ve tested, ideas we’re trying. It could be a recipe, a product that solved a problem, or just what we’re thinking about as dads.

If you have a tip, tried something we mentioned, or just want to say hi, reply to this email or message us on Substack. We read everything, and we’re always looking for what works. Glad you’re here.

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Here is a roadmap I wish I had for the key moments leading up to delivery. From my perspective, this is how to use your time well.

Here are seven things I’d strongly recommend focusing on before your baby arrives. -SW

Prepare the nursery

Remember when you were wedding planning and your wife knew exactly what she wanted because she had been thinking about it her whole life? Preparing the nursery feels like the sequel to that story.

My advice is simple. Let her lead and support where needed.

Your role will likely look like:

• Hanging shelves

• Building the crib

• Saying yes to buying new items

One of the most helpful things you can do is help discern what goes on the registry versus what you go ahead and buy yourselves. That kind of tangible help goes a long way.

Understand nesting and support it well

At some point, your wife is going to shift into nesting mode.

For us, this meant cleaning everything. The oven, vents, blinds, baseboards, grout, cabinets. Literally everything.

Lean into it. Do not question it or resist it. You will enjoy the cleanliness afterward too.

My tangible advice:

• Pick a date to do the deep clean. Find a weekend where the sports calendar is light and your schedule is open. Nothing is worse than cleaning instead of watching The Masters or March Madness.

• Make a list of everything that needs to be done so you can track progress.

• There is a YouTube video for how to clean anything efficiently. Watch one, learn the right methods, and get the right supplies. A trip to Home Depot makes the whole process easier.

• When you finish, go out for a great meal. We saved a few hundred dollars doing it ourselves and celebrated with something we really enjoyed.

Engage in the registry

Your wife will likely take the lead on the registry, and that’s great.

But do not fully check out. You are going to want to care.

Pick a few items you have a preference on since you will be using them too. Here are a few I found incredibly useful, but do your own research:

• Doona car seat and stroller

• Baby Bjorn carrier

• Infant Optics baby monitor

Take a birthing class

I had never thought about the birthing process or my role in it before taking this class. It ended up being one of the best things I did before our baby was born.

You show up at the hospital with other expectant couples and walk through what to expect. I thought it might be boring. It was not.

Here is what I learned that made a big difference:

• Indicators that it is time to go to the hospital

• Where to park and where to check in

• What to expect during labor

• How to support your wife in real, practical ways

• What is normal and what is not

More than anything, it gives you confidence for when it is time.

You will not remember everything, but you will feel far less overwhelmed.

Take a babymoon

Before the baby arrives, take intentional time away together. This is your last trip where it is just the two of you and you do not have to arrange childcare.

You can go anywhere, but as you get closer, a direct flight becomes more valuable.

For us, the goal was not to do something extravagant. It was the opposite:

• Slow down

• Enjoy each other’s company

• Acknowledge that your relationship is about to change

• Do things that bring you life

We went to Arizona, spent time by the pool, and ate great food. If you want to go big, go for it. The goal is to do something that fills you up.

Celebrate the transition with your friends

It is an overused joke, but guys are not always great at talking about what’s “really” going on or celebrating meaningful moments. We know how to do bachelor parties, but after that guys don’t have a typical event to celebrate another guy.

My encouragement is to do something intentional with your friends - even if you have to initiate it.

You do not have to call it a shower, but call it something that signals this is not just a normal hangout. This is a moment to celebrate someone becoming a dad. I’ve been calling it a daddymoon but you can call it anything you want.

For me, my best friends from high school and I played golf in the morning, then went to a house to swim, grill burgers, and watch the Red River Shootout. Everyone brought a pack of diapers for me to take home. There were some decorations. It was simple, a lot of fun, and a day I will never forget.

You are stepping into a new role. It is worth pausing to recognize it with people who have been part of your life.

Open a life insurance policy and read a book

This might sound funny, but I remember doing everything above and still feeling like I needed to do more. I told this to a friend and he gave me great advice.

“If you feel that way, buy a parenting book and open a 30-year term life insurance policy.”

I did both. It gave me peace knowing I was taking care of what I could control.

You will never feel fully ready. That is normal.

But if you use this time intentionally, you will walk into that delivery room with confidence, clarity, and a sense that you did what you could to prepare.

And that matters far more than getting everything perfect.

Dadvice Weekly is Kyle and Skyler—two friends in their thirties, living in Colorado, settling into fatherhood and trying to stay sane. Every Tuesday we share what’s working in our homes: gear we use, routines we’ve tested, ideas we’re trying. It could be a recipe, a product that solved a problem, or just what we’re thinking about as dads.

If you have a tip, tried something we mentioned, or just want to say hi, reply to this email or message us on Substack. We read everything, and we’re always looking for what works. Glad you’re here.

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I’m writing this from a hotel room in Kansas. Bennett, my five-year-old, is asleep next to me after four days of funeral service, family dinners, and a whole lot of “Dad, who’s that again?” Because of foster care logistics, the rest of the family stayed back in Colorado Springs. So it has been just the two of us, for the first time ever, surrounded by my side of the family. Watching him represent the next generation of our family while I was also saying goodbye to grandma has been a beautiful experience. This week’s issue is what I learned. –KC

Plan “Roadside Oddity” Pit Stops / Look for Fun

Eight hours is a long drive with a five-year-old, so I asked ai to look for “roadside oddities” along our route. Every two to two and a half hours or so we had a destination, something absurd and specific that Bennett could look forward to. Between Colorado Springs and Kansas City, we stopped at the world’s largest easel (a Van Gogh replica) and the world’s largest hand-painted egg. On the way back, we’re hitting the world’s largest belt buckle. It gives him a mental reset between stretches of highway, and it makes eight hours feel a lot more managable.

Get Your Kid a Camera

Bennett received a small kids’ digital camera before we left, and we challenged him to take good pictures to show mom and the siblings when we get back. We had to have multiple conversations about privacy and not pointing it at people at inappropriate moments, but looking through his photos and videos afterward was really special. He photographed great-aunts he’d never met, the hotel breakfast buffet, the backseat of the car. Seeing a roadtrip and family funeral through a five-year-old’s lens, what he chose to document and what he ignored entirely, was really cool, and I’m so glad we have those to look through together.

Never Underestimate the Snack (and Underwear) Situation

I packed light on snacks, which I will not do again. The rule I’ve now adopted: if a five-year-old mentions hunger or a bathroom, you have approximately thirty seconds before it becomes a full situation. There is no “hold on” or “we’ll stop in twenty minutes.” The world stops. Everything else is secondary. I don’t say this to scare you, I say it because I thought I knew and I was wrong. A small cooler with real food and a few of his favorites would have prevented at least two tense stretches of I-70. Lesson learned.

Embrace the Kid Buffer

Here is something no one tells you about bringing a young child to a funeral: they are genuinely useful. Not so much in a task-oriented way, but in the way that a five-year-old has no filter and absolutely no ability to read a room, which, in the middle of grief, is exactly what a group of adults needs. When the service ended and Bennett said loudly, to our entire row, ”Finally!”, everyone laughed with relief. You can’t manufacture that, and you also can’t control it, which means at some point you have to make peace with the fact that a squirming kid at a church funeral is going to do what he’s going to do. Embracing it instead of fighting it is very rewarding.

Let Them See You Grieve

There have been lots of tears from lots of people on this trip, and Bennett’s seen them. After the funeral he asked me if I was sad, and I told him yes, that I loved my grandma and I was going to miss her. He patted my arm. What I didn’t expect was watching him, over four days, learn to match the emotional temperature of the room. He got quieter during the hard moments. He hugged people without being told to. He told my aunt he was sorry about her mom. I don’t think any of that happens if I’m shielding him from the uncomfortable parts. Grief is good, emotions are good. Let them see the whole thing.

Dadvice Weekly is Kyle and Skyler—two friends in their thirties, living in Colorado, settling into fatherhood and trying to stay sane. Every Tuesday we share what’s working in our homes: gear we use, routines we’ve tested, ideas we’re trying. It could be a recipe, a product that solved a problem, or just what we’re thinking about as dads.

If you have a tip, tried something we mentioned, or just want to say hi, reply to this email or message us on Substack. We read everything, and we’re always looking for what works. Glad you’re here.

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I know the pandemic had already been impacting parts of the world before that, but six years ago was when it truly felt like it hit my life.

At the time, I was fully invested in Baylor basketball. That team had gone on a 23-game win streak and felt like a legitimate national title contender. March Madness was right around the corner and it felt like our window.

Then the tournament was canceled.

I remember being crushed. At the time I had no idea Baylor would eventually win a national championship the next year. In that moment it felt like this was our shot and it had just disappeared.

The very next day I remember a very specific moment at work. Someone rolled a cart into the office and people started loading up their things to take home. The plan was simple: we’d all work remotely for two weeks while leadership monitored the situation.

Two weeks.

I remember thinking how crazy it was that we were all going to work from home for two straight weeks.

We had moved to Colorado Springs in 2018 because the job was in person, and we had just bought a house in October 2019. My entire team worked in the office except for two remote coworkers. Back then we would gather in a conference room and “Zoom them in” on one screen.

The strangest part was not knowing when we’d go back.

For us, we never did.

During the pandemic there was a large restructure and our roles officially became remote.

So much has changed in six years. When talking to Kyle we decided to switch it up this time and write about things that are incredibly normal now, but were not as popular pre-pandemic. -SW

The Normalcy of Zoom

I saw a stock chart for Zoom recently and it made me reflect on how quickly life changed during the pandemic.

Almost overnight, everything went from “normal” to Zoom.

Work meetings were on Zoom.
My small group was on Zoom.
Even an impromptu trivia night with old college friends started happening on Zoom.

Before the pandemic, Zoom was mostly a work tool. It was something a few companies used for remote employees or client meetings. Most people I knew had barely heard of it.

Then suddenly everyone knew Zoom.

You had grandparents learning how to mute themselves, teachers running entire classrooms through it, friends hosting happy hours, churches doing services, and coworkers spending their entire workday there.

If you look at the stock chart, you can see the story pretty clearly. A massive spike when the world suddenly depended on it… and then a gradual return closer to normal as life opened back up.

But something did stick.

Even though Zoom’s hype settled down, the comfort with it never really went away. Today it’s mostly back to being a work tool again but now everyone knows what it is, how to use it, and doesn’t think twice about hopping on a video call.

In a strange way, that chart captures a moment in time when the entire world had to learn the same piece of technology all at once. -SW

Noticeable Decline in Customer Service

We’ve all felt it. You walk into a Taco Bell, and it feels like you’re an interruption. No one’s manning the counter, and employees are avoiding eye contact. You’ve been waiting 20 minutes for a bean burrito, too late to cancel the order on your app, and too much time sunk.

Before the pandemic, there was a certain standard of customer service we were accustomed to. But according to Forbes, we are currently in a “Customer Patience Crisis.” During the lockdowns, we all gave grace because the world was falling apart. Now, businesses have mistaken that temporary “grace” for a new, lower baseline of what we’re willing to accept—and sadly, we seem to be accepting it.

Companies realized they could operate with fewer staff and push “self-service” as a feature rather than a cost-cutting measure. For us, it means more time spent in the “help” queue and less time getting actual help. It’s a strange shift; we’re paying more than ever, yet service has never been worse. -KC

Bringing Food and Groceries to Your Car

One thing the pandemic really springboarded was curbside pickup.

Before 2020, grocery stores already offered online ordering and pickup, but it wasn’t used nearly as often as today. Most people still went inside the store like they always had. Restaurants were similar. Takeout existed, but pulling into a parking spot and having someone bring the order out to your car was not really the norm. I even remember a Domino’s commercial explaining their “carside delivery” option. The whole ad was basically: order online, park in a spot, stay in your car, and a worker will walk your pizza out to your car. At the time they actually had to explain the concept.

The pandemic did not start this trend, but it massively accelerated it. Grocery pickup and delivery usage has exploded. I found an article saying in August 2019, about 2 billion groceries were purchased online (pickup and delivery combined). By March 2025, that number had grown to 9.7 billion.

What is even more telling is how stores are adapting. Some new grocery stores are now being designed with side lots and dedicated doors specifically for pickup operations. What used to be a small add-on service is now significant enough that retailers are rearranging their square footage and parking lots to support it.

In other words, curbside for fast food and groceries is here to stay. -SW

Increased Home Involvement from Dads

If there’s a silver lining to the “two weeks that turned into years,” it’s what happened in our living rooms. Once remote work became the norm for many, something shifted among many dads in their twenties and thirties.

Research on millennial fatherhood shows that our generation is fundamentally redefining the role. Unlike the traditional “breadwinner” model, the trend seems to be that dads are striving for a more egalitarian approach. We want to be emotionally and practically present for our families, correcting the “absentee” mistakes we saw in previous generations. It’s a level of presence our own fathers, and their fathers, rarely had the option to have, and honestly, it’s one of the best things to come out of the pandemic. -KC

QR Codes

Another thing the pandemic accelerated was the use of QR codes.

QR codes were actually invented in 1994 in Japan. So the pandemic did not create them. But if we are being honest, how many people were actually using QR codes before 2020?

Now they are everywhere. At my church they are still used on the announcement slides, and there is a sticker with one on every chair so you can scan it to see the service guide. At work we have QR codes on almost all of our printed materials so people can scan them instead of typing a long URL into their browser. Restaurants still use them for menus, and most people do not even think twice about scanning one.

What amazes me is how quickly everyone learned how to use them. Almost overnight people understood that you could point the camera on your phone at a weird looking square and instantly get the information you needed.

That kind of behavior change almost never happens under normal circumstances. In many ways, it might be one of the greatest change management stories ever. QR codes are everywhere now, they are clearly here to stay, and I honestly do not think twice about using them anymore. -SW

Dadvice Weekly is Kyle and Skyler—two friends in their thirties, living in Colorado, settling into fatherhood and trying to stay sane. Every Tuesday we share what’s working in our homes: gear we use, routines we’ve tested, ideas we’re trying. It could be a recipe, a product that solved a problem, or just what we’re thinking about as dads.

If you have a tip, tried something we mentioned, or just want to say hi, reply to this email or message us on Substack. We read everything, and we’re always looking for what works. Glad you’re here.

Subscribe now

I remember graduating college and starting my first “real” job. Everything was exciting. I was finally earning my own money, starting my investing journey, managing my PTO and budget to take fun trips. Everything was awesome, but I knew the other side of that same coin was having to figure out taxes.

All I really knew back then was that every year when you make money, you have to pay taxes. Looking back on it my situation was really simple. I basically had 2 forms I needed.

1. My W-2

2. My Robinhood account

Super straightforward. I remember picking up a TurboTax box at Sam’s Club because it was on sale, and honestly, it met my needs perfectly. Easy, simple, and done.

Since then, a lot of things have happened in my life to make my tax season more complicated. I have gotten married and we have a baby. My wife had a W-2 but now has her own business so there’s a different form that we have to file. I have broadened our investment portfolio to have an HSA, i-bonds, and an investment property. We have gotten into the credit card points game so we get forms for the points sometimes. I can’t tell you which specific account or investment pushed me out of doing Turbo Tax but at this point I have a tax advisor who files our taxes for us.

My tax situation isn’t impossible, but it’s definitely more complex than right out of college. At this point I’m perfectly fine outsourcing to a tax advisor. The peace of mind, time saved, and accuracy are worth it for me.

I have no idea where everyone is at reading this. You might be a pro and should be writing this post for me. You might be in your first year out of college and filing solo. Regardless of where you’re at, here is the advice I would give to make this stretch of time smoother and simpler. -SW

Consolidate Accounts As Much As Possible

Consolidating accounts leads to less forms and paperwork. Let me give you some concrete examples of how we have done this.

1. When you leave an employer your 401k will stay at the company your former employer used. “Roll over” your 401k into the new employers 401k program. It just leads to less accounts and less forms.

2. When you were little maybe you were lucky enough to have a parent or grand parent open an account for you. “Roll over” that money into whatever institution you are investing in. The investment is still there, but its now consolidated leading to less credentials to remember and less paper work at tax season.

Have a Place for Your Tax Papers

Every January I just know we will start to get slammed with physical and digital paperwork for tax forms. I like to have a system where I put everything in one place until mid March. Once I hit mid March, I cross check what I have with what I have expected to receive (more on that below). If I have everything, then I’m good to send everything to my tax advisor. If I don’t have everything, I start to upload all of my documents and notify my tax advisor of what is remaining.

Create a List of Expected Tax Forms You Receive

This might be the best tip I can give. After you are done filing, leave a note for yourself to find next tax season of every form you expect you need to file based on the current year. So leave a bulleted list of forms you received this year, and if you’re expecting any new forms the following year notate that too. This makes filing the next year significantly easier. It takes maybe 10 minutes after you’re done filing but it saves so much mental load the following year knowing what forms you’re waiting on V what forms you have already received.

Use TurboTax Until You Can’t

Hiring a tax advisor is more expensive than TurboTax. For that reason, if you’re tax situation is really straight forward then keep using it. But as soon as you’re unsure if you’re doing it right, or you’re unsure if you’re maximizing your return, then go through the process to find someone who can do it for you. Its really nice to have someone I can call during the year if I have tax questions come up. Its also nice knowing that if something were to happen with an audit that I have a professional who has tied their name to filing my taxes that can go to bat for me.

Dadvice Weekly is Kyle and Skyler—two friends in their thirties, living in Colorado, settling into fatherhood and trying to stay sane. Every Tuesday we share what’s working in our homes: gear we use, routines we’ve tested, ideas we’re trying. It could be a recipe, a product that solved a problem, or just what we’re thinking about as dads.

If you have a tip, tried something we mentioned, or just want to say hi, reply to this email or message us on Substack. We read everything, and we’re always looking for what works. Glad you’re here.

Subscribe now

It got me thinking: what if the sign on Burgess didn’t wait for me to fail? What if, instead of a digital finger-wag, it threw a little “party” of green checkmarks and a “thank you!” when I actually followed the law? Bet that every time I drove by I’d be going the limit. It’s funny how the human brain works. Or at least how mine does.

In fatherhood, it’s easy to fall into the “highway patrol” model. Things don’t go how we think they should, and we cruise the hallways waiting for a violation—a spilled drink, a forgotten chore, a sharp tone—so we can flick on the sirens. It’s reactive and exhausting. When our primary interaction with our kids is corrective, it stresses them out, and it taxes our nervous systems. There is a heavy psychological toll to being the “enforcer” 24/7. It keeps us in a state of hyper-vigilance, looking for the negative rather than enjoying the presence of our family.

If you’re not already, give the shift toward positive reinforcement, the “green light” approach, a try. When we intentionally “catch them being good,” we train our own brains to scan for beauty, effort, and cooperation. It moves us from a state of friction to a state of flow. Instead of the adrenaline/cortisol spike of a confrontation, we get the satisfaction of connection. -KC

Podcast: Wow in the World

About a month ago we started listening to Wow in the World on the drive home from school, and it’s quickly become a hit. It’s a science podcast for kids. Every episode covers real research on things kids are into, like dinosaurs, space, and the human body. It’s funny, well-produced, has a huge catalog of episodes, and Bennett laughs out loud at least once per episode. Last week he told me he wants to be a scientist when he grows up, and it’s 100% because of this podcast. Free on any podcast app. -KC

Chewy Recurring for Dog Food

Brooke and I started using Chewy to automate Sadie’s dog food deliveries, and it has been a huge help. Since Sadie has such a sensitive stomach, we can’t just grab any general brand from the grocery store anymore. We need a more specialized food that isn’t always easy to find locally. Setting up autoship has taken all the guesswork out of it. I honestly don’t even know how often it shows up, but somehow it arrives at a reasonable time, right when we’re getting low.

Before this, we had a night where we completely ran out of food and had to give Sadie rice and eggs for dinner because it was too late to run to the store. That was the moment we knew we needed a better system. Since switching to Chewy, every order has been on time, reliable, and exactly what she needs. We haven’t had to scramble once. If you’ve got a dog, especially one with a sensitive stomach, I can’t recommend automating your dog food enough. -SW

Tiger Rice Cooker

We’ve had our Tiger Rice Cooker for a couple years now and it’s become one of the most-used appliances in our kitchen. It does rice perfectly every single time, no babysitting required. But it also steams vegetables and proteins, which we stumbled onto and now use. It holds up to 5.5 cups, so it’s plenty for a family dinner with leftovers. There’s also a genuinely good rabbit hole of rice cooker recipes online if you want to get weird with it. One of my favorite recipes for it is below. –KC

Recipe - Curry Chicken Potato Rice

We just came off about three weeks of rotating sickness in our house, and this recipe really hit the spot, especially when your stomach isn’t really wanting anything.

Throw 3 cups of rice in the rice cooker, fill to the line with chicken stock, add a tablespoon or two of S&B Oriental Curry Powder, chunk up 1-2 potatoes sitting on the counter, and toss in leftover shredded chicken, pot roast, or another protein if you have it. Hit start. Salt to taste after. It’s warm, savory, everyone loves it, and makes enough to pull from all week. S&B is the move here—don’t substitute it, grab a tin from Amazon or the Asian aisle. -KC

Just for Dad: Sonos Ray Sound Bar

A year or two ago my Dadvice would be to turn on subtitles. If turning on subtitles resonates with you, the issue might not be your ears, it might be your sound. I realized our living room just has bad acoustics, so instead of defaulting to subtitles, I started researching sound bars and surround sound options. After talking to friends and a few dadvice subscribers, I landed on the Sonos Ray. It’s not the cheapest option, but it’s certainly not the most expensive, and after a couple of weeks I can confidently say it has completely upgraded our TV experience. I can actually hear and understand dialogue again and I’m watching shows without subtitles for the first time in a long time. -SW

Dadvice Weekly is Kyle and Skyler—two friends in their thirties, living in Colorado, settling into fatherhood and trying to stay sane. Every Tuesday we share what’s working in our homes: gear we use, routines we’ve tested, ideas we’re trying. It could be a recipe, a product that solved a problem, or just what we’re thinking about as dads.

If you have a tip, tried something we mentioned, or just want to say hi, reply to this email or message us on Substack. We read everything, and we’re always looking for what works. Glad you’re here.

Subscribe now

But 15 months into this, I feel completely different. Colorado winters are long, and having a beach trip on the calendar to break them up is absolutely worth it. Saying “yes” to family trips matters. I have learned how important it is to figure out how to bring your baby into the things you love. You can still do them. It just takes more patience, better planning, extra effort, and caring a little less about what strangers around you might think.

I also think my pre-dad mindset assumed babies were completely unpredictable. While that can be true, you do start to understand patterns like nap windows, grouchy hours, and how to run through the basic diagnostics of soothing your baby. The key realization for me was that you do have more than zero percent control. You may not have 100 percent, but you definitely have more than none, and there is real comfort in that.

Flying with a baby is absolutely attainable, but it is significantly harder than when it was just you and your spouse. In February, we took a family trip to Hawaii with a two-hour flight to Phoenix followed by a six-and-a-half hour flight to Maui. I knew this would be a real test for us. Before leaving, we did a lot of research and talked with friends who had gone before us. Below are the tips and tricks we put into practice on flying with a baby, and I would genuinely love to hear yours too. -SW

Work as a Team with Your Spouse

This is a huge one. You and your spouse are teammates in this, and the people around you expect you two to show some effort, but more importantly, it just works better that way. On our flight, we were able to double team and all sit in one row. Sometimes I held the baby, sometimes Brooke sat next to the baby, sometimes Brooke handed out snacks, and sometimes I held the snacks. We rotated, adjusted, and tagged each other in as needed. You two are a team to get through the flight, so divide and conquer regardless of your family size. No keeping score. Just teamwork. -SW

Don’t Care About Public Perception

Traveling with kids tends to stress me out in a specific way: not so much the logistics, but the burden we’re putting on those around us. How we were being perceived. The sighs from the guy in our proximity who clearly didn’t sign up for this. At some point though, after getting a few multi-child flights under my belt, something shifted in my thinking. You realize you’re doing everything you can, and sometimes still, kids are going to cry. That’s just the deal. What I’ve realized is that most people get it, and often sympathize. And the ones who don’t? That’s honestly their problem to manage. You’re not a bad parent. You’re just a parent, on a plane, doing your best. And that’s all we can reasonably ask of anyone, with or without child. -KC

Bring Snacks

Before the flight, I asked a Dadvice subscriber for tips since he has flown with his family many times. His number one recommendation was to bring snacks.

While that seems obvious, I was shocked at how effective it was. We typically have standardized times for MK to eat, but we threw that out the window on the flight. We packed a wide variety of snacks, and anytime she started getting fussy, giving her a snack was plan A. It worked really well for us, so I definitely would not leave this one off the list. -SW

Tip While You Travel

Traveling with kids means hauling car seats, pack-n-plays, strollers, and mounds of bags. The thirty minutes before we get through security and drop off checked luggage is genuinely the most stressful part of the entire trip for me. A few years ago I started carrying cash specifically to tip every person who helps us in that crazy window: the shuttle driver who loads our mountain of bags and strollers, the curbside bag guy, the rental car person. From experience, usually five bucks is enough to turn someone’s indifference into helpfulness. This $15-20 bucks per trip leg has bought me more peace of mind than any other travel tip I’ve read or applied. -KC

Book Flights During Times That Keeps Your Baby on Track

On the way to Maui, we had two flights. The first was at 5 a.m. and the second was around 8 a.m. On the way home, we ended up booking a red eye that left at 9 p.m. and then connected home at noon.

My biggest learning is that you have to figure out what type of traveler your baby is. For us, MK barely slept on the way to Hawaii even though we were in the air during her normal nap time. On the way back, she slept almost the entire flight, but Brooke and I barely slept at all. I would not recommend a red eye with a child because we were both exhausted while the baby was well rested, and that led to some challenges once we landed.

Next time, I would aim for a morning flight, just not a 5 a.m. departure. I think there is a sweet spot where your baby can wake up at a normal time and stay close to their regular nap schedule, while you and your spouse are still at full strength going into a long travel day. -SW

Just for Dad: Noise Cancelling Headphones

I remember it like it was yesterday. On holiday, in 2016, at the IFC mall in central Hong Kong. I was finally convinced by a friend to buy a pair of nice noise-cancelling headphones at the Bose store. Alicia and I were dating.

”Just think about it, Kyle,” a friend said. “I know it’s hard to picture it now, but think about life 10 years from now. You’re married, have a couple of kids in the house, chaos of life. You’re going to want a pair of these.” She pointed to a pair of Bose QC-25 noise-cancelling headphones.

I think about that conversation literally every time I put these on to escape the noise and chaos of life at home with four kids, and while traveling, especially on the plane. It was a lot of money back then, but here we are, a decade later, and 5 years into being a dad, and I’ve never once regretted the purchase. -KC

Dadvice Weekly is Kyle and Skyler—two friends in their thirties, living in Colorado, settling into fatherhood and trying to stay sane. Every Tuesday we share what’s working in our homes: gear we use, routines we’ve tested, ideas we’re trying. It could be a recipe, a product that solved a problem, or just what we’re thinking about as dads.

If you have a tip, tried something we mentioned, or just want to say hi, reply to this email or message us on Substack. We read everything, and we’re always looking for what works. Glad you’re here.

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One of my all-time favorite things to do? Golf on vacation.

There’s just something about playing a new course in a new place. I love doing the research ahead of time, looking up courses nearby, watching YouTube flyovers, reading reviews, and figuring out which one fits the trip best. It gives me something to look forward to. Also while on vacation it gives me several hours to take in where I’m at and play a game I love.

As I’ve gotten older, I’m realizing how important that is for me, having something restorative built into the trip. Something that fills me up.

Brooke and I are learning how to balance this well:

• Travel together.

• Be present as a family.

• And still carve out space for each of us to do something that energizes us individually.

Obviously, that means the other person is solo parenting for a few hours, so it can’t be every day. But picking a day (or maybe two) during a trip makes a huge difference.

This week in Maui, I got to play the Waiehu Golf Course.

It was recommended by a guy at our hotel who called it a “poor man’s Pebble Beach,” with several holes right on the water. More under the radar than the big resort courses. There were several holes that were adjacent to the beach and I coincidentally got paired with Trey Wingo (former ESPN analyst and Baylor alumni).

It was a perfect outing and made me realize how I need to prioritize a round of golf every vacation I can. There’s something restoring about playing a round in a new place and experiencing a new course. When you get back you have to be on you A-Game to relieve your spouse but its completely worth it for us. Here are some tips that I am committing to for golfing on trips. -SW

Plan Your Round Early

I definitely don’t have this mastered, but here’s what I’ve learned:

1. Communicate early. Talk about it before the trip. Make sure it works for everyone.

2. Pick one intentional day. Don’t let it bleed into the whole vacation.

3. Do the research ahead of time. It builds anticipation and helps you maximize the experience.

4. Be fully present when you’re done. When you’re back, you’re back.

5. Encourage your spouse to do the same, but whatever version of it is for her. For us its a trip to the spa for a massage. Both people deserve space to recharge.

Find Clubs

This used to be easy for me.

Before Mary Kate, I always flew with my own clubs. Southwest let you check two bags free, I had a separate suitcase for clothes, and we didn’t have to think twice about rental car space.

But for this trip the clubs got deemed nonessential. With a baby, stroller, pack-and-play, and everything else, something had to give. So I rented clubs from our hotel.

It was $40 per day, which felt very reasonable. I didn’t love not knowing my exact distances, but for one round on vacation, it was manageable. My goal was to keep it under $90 total, roughly what it would’ve cost to fly my clubs round trip with the new bag policy.

Here are the main options for getting clubs as I see them:

Fly Your Own Clubs

If you have the space and your airline makes it affordable, this is still my favorite option. You know your yardages. You know your wedges. You’re comfortable.

If you go this route, get a solid travel bag. Nothing flashy, just functional and protective. And if you’re renting a car, make sure the trunk can handle it.

Rent Clubs at the Course or Hotel

This is what I did in Maui.

Pros:

• No travel hassle

• No risk of airline damage

• No trunk Tetris

Cons:

• You won’t know your distances

• You might not love the shaft/feel

• It’s rarely your exact setup

That said, for $40/day, it felt worth it. I wasn’t trying to shoot a career low. I was trying to enjoy the experience.

Ship Them Ahead of Time

I looked into Ship Stix.

It ships your clubs directly to the course or hotel. From what I saw, it was pretty expensive shipping to Hawaii. I imagine Colorado to Arizona or Texas would be more reasonable.

I didn’t go this route because of the cost, but if you’ve used it and loved it, I’d be curious to hear.

Don’t Forget the Small Stuff: Balls + Glove

This one tip alone probably saved me $30-40.

Before we left, I threw 8 golf balls, a few tees, and a glove into my suitcase. Took up almost no space. Added basically no weight.

When you show up without them, you’re paying pro shop prices and we all know that’s not cheap.

I didn’t even bring premium balls. Not Pro V1s. Just solid, playable golf balls from the garage. On vacation, I’m not chasing spin rates. I’m trying to enjoy the round and not feel annoyed every time one finds the Pacific.

The glove was key too. Buying a glove at a resort course can feel like buying sunscreen at Disney. Necessary, but painful.

Small prep. Easy win. Real savings.

Golf Shoes

I didn’t bring golf shoes. I completely regret it.

I figured I’d just wear athletic shoes and be fine. And technically, I was fine. But I didn’t realize how much I rely on golf shoes for stability until I didn’t have them.

Uneven lies, wet grass, and just feeling planted through impact. It’s one of those small things you don’t think about until it’s gone.

Next time, I’ll find a way to pack them.

My Overall Take

If this is a golf trip, bring your clubs.

If this is a family trip with one round mixed in, renting might make more sense.

For me, this stage of life means optimizing for travel simplicity. I’m not chasing the best round of my life.

I’m chasing presence, and occasionally a tee time with a view of the ocean.

Would love to hear what others do. Fly them? Ship them? Always rent? Any other tips you have learned? -SW

Dadvice Weekly is Kyle and Skyler—two friends in their thirties, living in Colorado, settling into fatherhood and trying to stay sane. Every Tuesday we share what’s working in our homes: gear we use, routines we’ve tested, ideas we’re trying. It could be a recipe, a product that solved a problem, or just what we’re thinking about as dads.

If you have a tip, tried something we mentioned, or just want to say hi, reply to this email or message us on Substack. We read everything, and we’re always looking for what works. Glad you’re here.

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I remember becoming a dad and feeling incredibly blessed for paternity leave. The baby was awake at crazy hours, but it was okay because I didn’t have work tomorrow. My whole purpose was to be there for my baby and my wife. Middle of the night wake-ups? No problem. I’d just revert to my college schedule, sleep in, have Brooke take the morning shift, and catch up later.

It was such a gift to adopt that mindset and be there for support of my wife and baby. Everyone said those were the hardest days, but honestly, they became some of the sweetest memories. You and your spouse bond with your newborn, study her quirks, and extrapolate what her personality will be based on the tiniest sample size.

But here’s what I wish someone had told me:
There will come a day when you’re back at work. You’ve had a stressful day of meetings and deadlines. You put your baby down, and she cries instantly. You run through the usual diagnostic checklist (diaper, food, nap) and everything checks out. Something is still wrong.

That’s when a new diagnostic enters the picture: teething.

For us, teething has been one of the hardest seasons of parenting a 14 month old. From talking to friends, some babies breeze through it, while others have a hell of a time. And here’s the toughest part: you’re fully back at work, trying to balance your sanity, your wife’s sanity, and a baby who just wants relief. It’s a challenge that comes without warning.

Quick Google fact: babies get 20 teeth between 6 months and 3 years. As I’m typing this I’m realizing this is a long season and not a quick one.

If you haven’t hit teething yet, let me be the first to tell you that it’s been really hard. If you’re in the thick of it, what are your hacks for surviving those long days?

We’ve tried a lot of tips but the two that have helped the most are Motrin (not Tylenol) and resetting the goals of your day to be to make it to bedtime.

What are the tips you have for a baby who is teething? I would love to know and try them. -SW

Teether Pacifier Clips

We picked up a few of these teether pacifier clips when Bennett started launching his pacifier across the car. The beaded design works as a teether, so he chews on it between pacifier sessions. It attaches to the shirt or car seat, so when baby throws the pacifier (and they will), it just dangles there instead of landing under the couch or rolling under the driver’s seat. No more digging around for a dusty binky. –KC

McDonalds French Fries

When MK is teething we’ve noticed that she eats significantly less, and I am not a doctor but it feels obvious that hungry baby plus teething is entering a major doom cycle. Cranky turns into not eating, which turns into hungrier, which turns into an even longer day. When we hit that spiral, we try everything and hope she goes for something. Weirdly and consistently, McDonald’s french fries have been the winner.

Warm or cold from the fridge later, she will eat them. They are soft but firm enough to chew on, easy to gum, and familiar. Obviously this is not a long term nutrition plan, but when you are in the trenches and just need something in their belly to reset the day, this can be a good move to get you through. -SW

Teether Tubes

Our foster baby also has teeth coming in, and these teething tubes have come in handy. They’re about six inches long, so they’re easy for him to grip and gnaw on. What makes them work is the variety of textures—bumps, ridges, grooves—so he’s not easily bored with it. They’re also hollow, which makes them lighter and easier to clean than solid teethers. They also work well cold, and because they aren’t filled with liquid, they don’t completely freeze. Worth keeping extras on hand. –KC

Camilia Teething Drops

Another tip we received are these teething drops. You get a pack of 30 for about $12. I have to be honest that we are too early to have real data on whether they truly help or not. That said, I like having another option outside of Motrin for my own sanity so it feels like we are trying everything when the day or night gets long. It is a small plastic tube with ready to go liquid that you squeeze into your baby’s mouth, and so far we have not seen any negative effects, though we have only used four.

It has seemed positive, but time will tell if they’re a true game changer and we end up buying a second pack when the next teeth roll in. We are currently in Hawaii as this email drops and MK managed a solid B minus plane ride in terms of being a cool patron. Having these drops in the bag gave me the hope I needed to get through the trip, and sometimes that hope is worth the $12 alone. If nothing else, these drops might give you a little hope too especially when you’re desperate for some baby teething relief. -SW

Just for Dad: Just Give the Kid Motrin

There are plenty of home remedies for teething, but also know that it’s perfectly fine to give your teething child Children’s Tylenol or Motrin for teething pain with doctor’s approval. As they say, every kid is different and responds to intervention differently. In the midst of finding what works best for your kid, don’t hesitate to give your kid medicine in the right quantity and interval. -KC

Dadvice Weekly is Kyle and Skyler—two friends in their thirties, living in Colorado, settling into fatherhood and trying to stay sane. Every Tuesday we share what’s working in our homes: gear we use, routines we’ve tested, ideas we’re trying. It could be a recipe, a product that solved a problem, or just what we’re thinking about as dads.

If you have a tip, tried something we mentioned, or just want to say hi, reply to this email or message us on Substack. We read everything, and we’re always looking for what works. Glad you’re here.

Subscribe now

Ideas don’t originate from us; they come to us. We are simply the antenna. As Rubin notes, “The idea doesn’t come from me. I’m not the impetus for the idea.”

Last year I started a writing a story I was sharing on my personal substack. Intended as a three-week endeavor, it morphed into a three-month struggle. I was paralyzed by the anxiety of completion—old perfectionist tendencies to protect the work by not acting on it. What I’ve realized is that holding onto one idea prevents you from receiving the next, or at least acting on it. Not only does it stifile my own creativity, clogging my own creative pipes, but within Rubin’s framework, holding onto an idea is selfish—and it risks someone else actually running with the idea you received. If you don’t act, someone else will.

If we view creativity as a shared resource, then hoarding an idea denies the collective. We must shift our perspective: the work doesn’t belong to the creator; it belongs to the interpreter.

Which also pokes at another hangup I’m trying to overcome: judgement of “my” work. Sometimes I blame perfectionism for my reluctance to publish. But Rubin’s framework totally alleviates that hestiancy: if the thing I create doesn’t belong to me, it’s on you to interpret it. The feedback has nothing to do with me and everything to do with the reader.

This realization allows us to let go of the result. If the idea wasn’t yours to begin with, the judgment of the result isn’t yours to bear either. How freeing is that?

To be human is to be creative. It sets us apart from (nearly) every other living thing on the planet. But thinking about creativity as something we all share in means that it is engaging is an obligation. It means we all need to move our antennas to receive that creative signal. And when we receive ideas, we have a responsibility to act on them and release them back into the world. We only fail when we keep our vessels closed or don’t act. -KC

Renting Skis at Scheels

Over the weekend I went skiing and rented my skis from Scheels in Colorado Springs, and I have to share this because it’s the best rental deal I’ve ever come across.

I picked them up on Friday, skied on Saturday, and dropped them off on Sunday. Their pricing is unique in that they don’t charge you for the days you are commuting to/from the mountain. So even though I had the skis for 3 days, I only had to pay for the day I was actually on the mountain in skiing. Their pricing is $50 for your first day of skiing, then $25 for each additional day. That’s it.

If you live near a Scheels (or if you’re flying into Colorado Springs to ski) this is a no-brainer. On-mountain rental shops are usually around $70 per day, and other places off mountain charge you for every calendar day you have the gear (even when you’re not actually skiing). -SW

Joanna Gaines Banana Bread

I’ll keep this short and sweet—if you’ve got a bunch of overripe bananas and are looking for a fantastic, failproof banana bread recipe, look no further. This one by Joanna Gaines has been our go-to for years. -KC

Run Away - Netflix Miniseries

Back in December I put out a recommendation to grab Netflix for a bit. Between the NFL games, the Stranger Things finale, and a few other things, it felt like an all time month to get it.

While I had the subscription, I was recommended a show called Run Away, and I’m glad they did. It’s an 8-episode mini-series based on a novel by Harlan Coben. Netflix has the rights to a bunch of his books. The story follows a dad trying to track down his adult daughter, and it pulled me in really quickly.

I really enjoyed it and have already been telling a few people to check it out. If you’ve got Netflix right now, I’d give it a try and let me know what you think. -SW

Just for Dad: Colorado Child Care Contribution Credit

As we prep for another tax season, I’m spending some time learning about ways to minimize our tax burden. I came across the Colorado Child Care Contribution Credit, a program that deserves more attention than it gets. Here’s how it works: you donate to approved organizations that promote quality childcare (including foster care agencies and social services) in Colorado, and the state gives you a tax credit equal to 50% of your contribution. If you donate $1,000, you receive a $500 credit directly against your state tax liability. If you itemize on your federal return, you can deduct the portion of your donation that isn't covered by the state credit (so $500 in this example). It’s a great way to maximize charitible contribution and minimize tax burden. -KC

Dadvice Weekly is Kyle and Skyler—two friends in their thirties, living in Colorado, settling into fatherhood and trying to stay sane. Every Tuesday we share what’s working in our homes: gear we use, routines we’ve tested, ideas we’re trying. It could be a recipe, a product that solved a problem, or just what we’re thinking about as dads.

If you have a tip, tried something we mentioned, or just want to say hi, reply to this email or message us on Substack. We read everything, and we’re always looking for what works. Glad you’re here.

Subscribe now

That got me thinking about how Instagram used to work. Back in college the feed was simple and had 2 business rules: 1) show posts in order of recency and 2) only show posts from people you followed. There weren’t videos, there weren’t multiple photos on a post, there weren’t stories, and there weren’t suggested content from the algorithm. I’d scroll until I hit the last post I had previously seen then close the app and move on with my day. Somewhere along the way Instagram shifted from being “social” media, a place to see what your friends were up to, into something else entirely.

What I’ve been wrestling with the last year is what do I do about it? I don’t have a neat answer. Part of me thinks if the purpose of the app isn’t what I signed up for, maybe I should quit. The apps are a massive time suck. But another part of me loves Instagram. Random posts, like a photo of a “for lease” sign tagged with graffiti that says Navidad, make me laugh. That seems worth something.

I doubt I’ll ever have the perfect answer for how to use Instagram. I like it, but I wish I spent less time on it. The world tells you your choices are either doom-scroll endlessly or delete the app altogether. I’ve been trying to strike a middle ground and this is where I’m currently at with it.

• Don’t go unlimited. Hours on the couch starting with a Nate Bargatze clip will always end with something less useful. Going unlimited steals time from exercise, parenting, friendship, and community. There’s no longer a natural end point like back when I was in college. I haven’t gotten to the level of setting a literal timer but I have started changing how I use the app. I now check my DMs, then check the stories (where most of my real friends are actually pushing out what they’re doing), then I go through a few videos down the feed. After that I close the app.

• Go through who you follow and remove anything that is irrelevant from your interests. No one knows how the algorithm works but a factor of it has to be the accounts you follow.

• Be very careful about clicking on ads. If there’s something you’re remotely interested in buying clicking the ad will trigger a more aggressive set of ads from the company. Some data suggests that it takes 7 impressions of a product or service to get someone to actually buy it. Long gone are the days of leaving the house to “go shopping”. If you’re scrolling at night your “free” Instagram account will cost you whatever the ads are selling.

As we’ve gotten into this year I’m starting to care more about monitoring my screentime. Here’s a post with a few recs and ideas that have helped me do what I want to do and be on my phone less. -SW

Brick

About six months ago Brooke bought a Brick for herself. I had seen it on social media but had not really looked into it. Now I am a big fan. Brick is a small plastic square that lives on our fridge and pairs with an app on your phone. In the app you group together apps that become impossible to open when your phone is bricked. To unbrick your phone, you physically touch it to the Brick. You can still receive calls and texts, and there is an emergency unbrick option, but you only get three before you have to reset everything.

What I love is that it solves the problem without forcing extremes. I do not need a dumb phone. I do not need to delete useful apps. There is no subscription once you buy it. It simply creates friction in the moments where mindless scrolling tends to take over. That friction is the point, and it works.

My favorite time to use Brick is Sunday after church. I like knowing I am reachable but not distracted by Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. Brick is $60 MSRP, and discount codes usually bring it closer to $50. Even if you only use it occasionally, it is worth having. Presence is not about perfection. It is about setting up systems that make the right choice easier. -SW

Using Social Media Filters

I’ve found using filters on social media to be incredibly helpful. You can block specific words, phrases, or topics. What’s left is what I care about and enjoy—friends’ updates, memes, recipes we might try. It takes maybe five minutes to set up in your settings, and everything feels much cleaner very quickly. You’re still on the app, but you’re choosing what gets through instead of letting the algorithm decide. –KC

Physical Books

The older I get, the more I love looking back at the books I have read. Lately I find myself wanting to reread more than chase something new. One habit I have picked up is buying the physical copy and putting it on my bookshelf. I know it takes up space and I know it costs money, but there is something meaningful about seeing those spines lined up. When I remember an idea but not the source, I can usually ask AI to help me track down the book or even the chapter, then pull it off the shelf and revisit a few pages that mattered.

I also use the library or Libby for audiobooks as a way to test drive a book before buying it. If I finish it for free and know I will want to come back to it, I grab a physical copy. The best part is that physical books force me to slow down. Sitting on the bed with a book before sleep has replaced a lot of late night scrolling. It is simple, but it helps me go to bed earlier and keeps me learning, and that feels like a win. -SW

Amazon Basics Alarm Clock

For the last 2 months I have been sleeping with a physical alarm clock. It is the $9 one on Amazon. No sunrise feature. No smart anything. It tells time, has snooze, and beeps very loudly at one preset time. That is it. This is a habit I do not want to break. When I put my phone away at night it is fully away. My phone is not the first thing I touch in the morning, and that alone has been a big win. My mornings are more consistent, I wake up at the same time regardless of what my drowsy self wants, and my phone has less control over how my day starts. Sometimes less really is more. -SW

No Phone from Dinner to Bed

We’re still figuring this out, going through seasons where we’re better at this than others. But what we’ve found most helpful is physically removing phones from within reach from dinnertime to kids’ bedtimes. It’s typically the hardest part of the day for all involved, and the phone doesn’t help things. -KC

Dadvice Weekly is Kyle and Skyler—two friends in their thirties, living in Colorado, settling into fatherhood and trying to stay sane. Every Tuesday we share what’s working in our homes: gear we use, routines we’ve tested, ideas we’re trying. It could be a recipe, a product that solved a problem, or just what we’re thinking about as dads.

If you have a tip, tried something we mentioned, or just want to say hi, reply to this email or message us on Substack. We read everything, and we’re always looking for what works. Glad you’re here.

Subscribe now

As I get older, I realize that thinking is backward, or unhelpful to me, at least. Today, in my mid-thirties, I’m convinced that motion—building habit, routine, muscle memory—matters more than direction.

If my twenties taught me anything, it’s that I can’t really control where I’ll end up anyway, no matter how carefully I plan. We can aim for a general direction, but ultimately, there are too many variables, and what 20-year-old Kyle wanted isn’t what 35-year-old Kyle wanted anyway.

The novelist who never wrote a blog post, the guy waiting to build his dream physique without first getting generally stronger, the person holding out for a commission before they’ve made anything at all—they’re all stuck in the same trap.

Beginning with the end in mind sounds smart, and maybe it helps with motivation. But waiting for that end to materialize before you start? That’s not helpful, it’s actually paralyzing. What if you need to build your back and legs before your chest looks the way you want it to? What if the blog you don’t want to write is exactly the training ground you need before the novel?

Direction will reveal itself through doing. Movement creates options. Sitting still, waiting for clarity about where you’re headed, creates nothing but more waiting. -KC

Professional Dishwashing Advice

I spent part of my MLK Jr. Day with an appliance guy fixing my dishwasher. If you know me, you know I love doing DIY stuff. But if I find the YouTube video and it looks out of my league, I am perfectly fine calling a professional.

Also, if you know me, you know I am not just calling an appliance guy and letting him do his thing without learning something useful. I asked him, “What is the best tip you would give people for running the dishwasher that most people don’t know?” I assumed he would say something about a brand of soap or a specific setting.

Instead, he gave me some universal advice worth sharing.

In the same way you heat up the sink water before hand-washing dishes, you should do the same for your dishwasher. Run the sink water until it is warm, then start the dishwasher for more effective cleaning. -SW

TickTick

Recently, a friend turned me onto TickTick. It’s a task manager with a built-in habit tracker. The app comes with 60+ pre-loaded habits you can add with one click, or you can build custom ones with your own icons. The streak tracking is fun and keeps me honest. What makes it stick is that everything lives in one place: my tasks, calendar (syncs with Google calendar), habits, Eisenhouer Matrix, even a Pomodoro timer for when I need to lock in and write. I’m using the free version ($0) which is generous—nine lists, 99 tasks each, full habit tracking. Premium runs about $28/year if you want calendar views and themes. It’s replaced three apps on my phone, which feels like a win. Available for iPhone and Android. -KC

Rechargeable Hand Warmers

If you remember from issue #24, I have been trying to go on more walks before work even when it is cold. When you live in Colorado, there is only so much you can control when it comes to warming up your body.

One thing that has helped a lot is purchasing these rechargeable hand warmers. They have been surprisingly useful and only $10. I keep them in my jacket pockets and they make a big difference on cold walks.

If you live somewhere cold and find yourself outside for any reason like shoveling snow, skiing, or walking the dog, I think these are well worth it. -SW

Easy Poached Eggs

The kids have been asking for poached eggs more often, which sounds charming until you realize how time consuming they are. I like Ina Garten’s method. She uses a wide sauté pan with a couple inches of simmering water without vinegar or swirling vortex. You can fit four or five eggs in there at once. Crack them into the almost-boiling water (gently!), let them simmer 2 mins, then turn off the heat and let them sit for 10. The wide pan is the key because it gives each egg space to set properly without crowding. If you’d prefer the egg to cook without the yellow spot on top, cover with a lid when you turn off the heat. -KC

The Common Rule by Justin Whitmel Earley

I have been in a book club at work for the last couple of months, and we just finished a book called The Common Rule by Justin Whitmel Earley. If that name sounds familiar, he is also the author of Habits of the Household.

If you have enjoyed some of the Christian content shared through Dadvice, I think you would really enjoy this book.

Justin is an attorney in DC, a father of four, and someone who knows what it feels like to juggle a demanding job and family life. What I appreciated most is how practical his advice is when it comes to aligning your calendar with what you say you value. He also shares very real and relatable stories about trying to teach his kids about Jesus, and how it rarely looks the way a movie would make it seem.

This book focuses on eight spiritual disciplines he has built into his life and challenges the reader to consider doing the same. A couple examples include turning your phone off for one hour a day and arranging your life so your family can practice Sabbath once a week.

At times it felt like a self-help book. At other times it felt like a spiritual discipline book. Both were done in a really good way.

If you are in a small group looking for something to read together, or if you simply enjoy thoughtful and practical books, I highly recommend this one. -SW

Just for Dad: Doing Hard Things with Friends

Last week, I was venting to some friends about a backyard project when they both offered to help without thinking twice, and it took me aback. When did I forget asking for help was an option? I’ve been so buried that offering my time to help others doesn’t cross my mind much anymore (which feels pretty bad to admit). But why can’t I help someone even when I’m swamped? Bring a kid or two along, let them see what community actually looks like. Showing up for people and letting them show up for you is something valuable that I want my kids to see and participate in. -KC

Dadvice Weekly is Kyle and Skyler—two friends in their thirties, living in Colorado, settling into fatherhood and trying to stay sane. Every Tuesday we share what’s working in our homes: gear we use, routines we’ve tested, ideas we’re trying. It could be a recipe, a product that solved a problem, or just what we’re thinking about as dads.

If you have a tip, tried something we mentioned, or just want to say hi, reply to this email or message us on Substack. We read everything, and we’re always looking for what works. Glad you’re here.

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But here’s the part we don’t talk about enough: starting is the easy part. Sticking with it? That’s where most of us stumble. One study even says 88% of people drop their resolutions within the first two weeks. Two weeks! That means almost all of us have already “messed up” by now.

One thing I have come to realize is life rarely goes according to plan. Whether it’s work, marriage, parenting, hobbies, or anything else worth doing. Somewhere along the way we picked up this idea that if something isn’t perfect, it isn’t worth the effort. But that’s not how growth works. That’s not how anything meaningful works.

So here’s my challenge to you as well as the reflection of myself I have been thinking about. Whatever your version of #newyearnewme is how is it going? At this point we’re 13 days in. Is what you are doing sustainable with your current lifestyle? If it is then keep going! If you’re like me, find what a sustainable version is. Adjust your goal, shrink it, “re-forecast” it. It doesn’t matter what you set out to do for the new year. What matters most is what you are actually able to do with the busyness of balancing your job, your family, your faith, your values, your friends.

To wrap this up - something I’m trying to find in 2026 is a sustainable workout routine. Since being a dad I have found it incredibly challenging to balance time with my family after work and making it a priority to do something every day for my physical and mental health. I did some research in December and found a lot of people in my situation have pick up doing kettlebell exercises at their house. I never thought of myself as a kettlebell guy but I’m testing it out this month to see if it meets my needs. I’m sure I’ll write more about it in the future but if anyone’s done this before let me know. I would love to learn more from you. -SW

Take a Short Walk Before Work

I’ve started taking a 20-minute walk before work.

I don’t know how much of this is backed by science, but here’s what I’ve noticed:

• I start the day feeling like I’ve already accomplished something.

• My mental health feels lighter.

• It’s sustainable.

Some days, I hop on the treadmill. Other days, I bundle up and take the dog outside, even when it’s cold. Sometimes I listen to a podcast, other times a devotional, and occasionally nothing at all.

I’ve always envied the cold plunge people who kick off their day with something extreme. But the reality is I’m not a cold plunge guy, and I don’t want to be. I like that I’m adopting a small habit that gets my day started and encourage you to try it too. -SW

Free Photo Background Remover

I need to remove backgrounds from images a lot these days. Remove.bg has become my go-to for this. You drop an image in, it strips the background in seconds, and you download the result. No account required, and the ads are barely noticeable. –KC

Shortcut to a Solid Old Fashioned

A few years ago, I hosted the guys from small group at our house and picked up a bottle of Bulleit Old Fashioned Cocktail (the pre-mixed version). At the time, I was just getting into bourbon and thought it would be a nice value add for the night.

I really liked it, and so did the other guys. Then I completely forgot about it… until this past weekend when I saw it at the liquor store. I bought it again and was nervous I wouldn’t like it anymore, but it still hits.

I see this pre-mixed bottle serving 2 primary purposes for anyone. It is definitely cheaper to make your own Old Fashioneds with all the ingredients. But if you’re hosting a party and don’t want to spend the night mixing drinks I think a couple bottles of this would be great. Also if you’re just feeling lazy one night this is a great option to have on hand because you literally just pour it over ice and you’ve got a solid old fashioned in your glass.

I’m not sure how popular or widespread this is, but I imagine most major liquor stores carry it. -SW

McDonalds Mobile App

I remember when I was in high school and college Subway had $5 footlongs. Chipotle was under $10 getting steak and guac in your bowl.

Long gone are those days.

The closest thing I’ve found to the old glory days of fast food is in the McDonald’s app. If you need something quick and don’t want to spend $10, this has been my go-to for the last couple of years. We have a McDonald’s five minutes from our house.

Here’s the play:

1. Go to the app → Order → McValue Menu → Meal Deals.
   For $6 you get a McDouble, small fries, 4 nuggets, and a small drink.

2. Then go to Rewards & Deals → App Exclusive Deals.
   In my area, I can also get a free medium fries with a $2 purchase.

That’s a ton of food for about $6.50 in a world where nothing is under $10. Don’t do this every day, but when you’re in a pinch and truly need “fast food,” this is a better alternative than most.

And yes, I recognize the irony of sharing this during the #NewYearNewMe issue. -SW

Just for Dad: Felco Pruning Shears

I lucked into a pair of Felco pruning shears at a garage sale last spring—already 10+ years old but clearly well-maintained—and they’ve completely changed my expectations for yard tools. Swiss-made, all metal, designed to be repaired instead of replaced when something wears out. Cutting branches with these is so much easier than with cheap, plastic-handled shears. The blade stays sharp (but can be sharpened), the grip doesn’t cramp your hand, and nothing wobbles or gives when you squeeze. New they’re around $70, which feels steep for pruning shears until you realize you’re buying your last pair. Mine are probably old enough to drive and still cut cleaner than anything new from Home Depot. Worth the upfront cost if you’re planning to stay put as a homeowner. –KC

Dadvice Weekly is Kyle and Skyler—two friends in their thirties, living in Colorado, settling into fatherhood and trying to stay sane. Every Tuesday we share what’s working in our homes: gear we use, routines we’ve tested, ideas we’re trying. It could be a recipe, a product that solved a problem, or just what we’re thinking about as dads.

If you have a tip, tried something we mentioned, or just want to say hi, reply to this email or message us on Substack. We read everything, and we’re always looking for what works. Glad you’re here.

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Indoor Winter Activities: Paper Airplanes!

We’ve been cycling through indoor activities this break, and paper airplanes have been a surprising winner. I found foldnfly.com a few weeks back, and it’s clearly the authority on all things paper airplane. The site has instructions for dozens of different plane designs, from basic darts to complex gliders. What I love is that it works for a range of ages. Our four-year-old can handle the simpler folds with help, while our nine-year-old is building more elaborate designs and decorating them with markers. It’s free, fun, requires zero prep, and buys you a couple hours of focused activity. -KC

Just Bare Chicken Fillets

If you need a quick, reliable lunch option, Just Bare Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Fillets are hard to beat. You can find them in the frozen section of most grocery stores. We’ve tried their nuggets and tenders, but the fillets are the clear winner in our house. They feel like a slightly healthier choice compared to some of the big-name frozen brands, and they taste great every time. The best part is how easy they are to make. All you have to do is toss them in the air fryer and you’ve got a solid meal in about 15 minutes. They work perfectly on a sandwich, over a salad, or just on their own with your favorite dipping sauce. Keep a bag in the freezer and you’ll always have a stress free lunch option ready to go. -SW

Sous Vide

This sous vide was given to us as a wedding gift. I was skeptical, but it makes getting the perfect steak (or other meat) to the perfect temperature with very little effort. The setup is simple: clip it to a pot, set the temperature, drop in your vacuum-sealed food, and walk away. It’s a great way to prep everything from pork chops to chicken breasts to meal-prepping proteins for the week. What I love most is the forgiveness factor. You set it to 130°F for steak, and it holds there for hours without overcooking. I can start dinner at 4 p.m., walk away, and come back whenever I’m ready to sear. The results are consistent, and there’s zero babysitting required. It’s under $70, heats fast, and lives in a drawer when not in use. And it saves me from standing in the cold by the grill. -KC

Little House Baby Toy

For Christmas Mary Kate scored pretty big with her gifts, and after a couple of weeks of playtime, one has been standing out. This little activity house has absolutely captivated her attention. It’s a house with interactive modules all around including a rotary phone, a car, a doorbell, and even a bird that pops out like a cuckoo clock. If you have a baby birthday party coming up or a little one of your own, this is worth checking out. Mary Kate is loving it, and it’s been a fantastic gift that keeps her engaged day after day.-SW

Just for Dad: ABC Pants, Lululemon

Five years ago I got my first pair of ABC pants from Lululemon and they are still the best pants I have ever owned. They are incredibly comfortable and versatile so you can wear them to the office, on the golf course, or out to a nice dinner. They also last a very long time. At this point I have a few pairs and I have never had to retire any. I bet I have worn each of them over 100 times with no signs of needing to replace them. If you are thinking about buying new pants trust me and get these. They are more expensive than any other pants I have bought but they are worth every penny. I also recommend going to a Lululemon store so you can try on different combinations of waist, length, and fit. They offer free hemming so you can get them to fit as close to perfect as possible.-SW

Dadvice Weekly is Kyle and Skyler—two friends in their thirties, living in Colorado, settling into fatherhood and trying to stay sane. Every Tuesday we share what’s working in our homes: gear we use, routines we’ve tested, ideas we’re trying. It could be a recipe, a product that solved a problem, or just what we’re thinking about as dads.

If you have a tip, tried something we mentioned, or just want to say hi, reply to this email or message us on Substack. We read everything, and we’re always looking for what works. Glad you’re here.

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One habit Brooke and I have fallen into is having a simple conversation at the end of each year:

How did the year go? What do we want for the upcoming year?

There’s nothing magical about it, but it’s been incredibly helpful for us to share our thoughts, align on priorities, and set a direction together.

We use a simple template with buckets for our goals:

• Financial

• Fitness

• Home improvement/house projects

• Contentment (what are we wanting, but saying “not yet” to)

• Marriage

• Vacations

• Parenting

• Spiritual

• Reading

• Sports (how much golf should I play this year? Also what rec leagues and workout classes are we wanting to spend our time and money on this year?)

When we look ahead, we jot down goals in these categories. When we reflect back, we pull out last year’s sheet and see how we did. It’s not about perfection, it’s about being intentional.

For example, here are a few things we had on our list for 2025:

• Vacations: Go to Texas for a Baylor football game

• Parenting: Make memories with Mary Kate

• Spiritual: Journey with our church through the sermon series and stay plugged into our small group

At work I’m a big SMART goals guy. But for this exercise I don’t care if they’re SMART or not. Just write down what you think. The real value is in the conversation, it helps you and your spouse understand what matters most and plan your weeks around the things you care about.

My encouragement to you: make this a habit. Reflect on the year, call out the things you enjoyed, and set the direction for the year ahead. Even if you don’t hit everything on the list, you’ll be more intentional with your time and more aligned with the people who matter most.

Week Ahead Template

I struggle to take notes on devices, so a few years ago I created a Word template for planning the week ahead. It’s essentially a week view calendar that I print fresh every Sunday. It lives on my desk all week as a catchall for meeting notes, to-do lists, calendar events, doodles.

How I use it. On Sunday I empty my brain of everything: pickups, dropoffs, work deadlines, home projects. During the week I check things off, add new things, etc. The following Sunday I review what got done, what can drop off, and what needs to carry over into next week’s page. The tactile interaction helps my memory and productivity.

Here are a few examples of how I’ve used the sheet:

Printing out a calendar isn’t revolutionary, but the ritual of preparing with this simple template has really helped me be more productive and to feel a sense of momentum going into the week ahead. Try it for yourself and see if it benefits you! -KC

Amazon Return Kiosk at Whole Foods

I had a few Amazon returns to make today and headed to my usual spot at Whole Foods. The return line was packed with about ten people, and right next to it was a quiet little Amazon return kiosk I had never bothered with before. I figured I could probably learn how to use it faster than the line would move, so I gave it a shot. It was incredibly simple. Scan your QR code, follow the steps, drop your item, and you are done.

I am assuming these kiosks are everywhere now, and after today I am officially converted. If you have been waiting in line like I used to, consider this your friendly nudge to try the kiosk instead. -SW

Metal Book Darts

Something I use in all of my books at home are book darts. They’re tiny bronze arrows that act as a bookmark or dog ear, but they clip onto the exact line you want to remember, not just the page. I bought a tin of 125 six years ago and I’m not even close to using them all up. They’ve held up through dozens of books, rarely bent or broken, If you read books and hate dog-earing pages, grab these for around $20 a tin on Amazon. –KC

Mexican Street Corn White Chicken Chili

When it gets cold outside, I love having chili. Recently I tried a recipe from Meat Church for Mexican Street Corn White Chicken Chili, and I have to say, it’s absolutely fantastic. If you’re looking for something cozy, flavorful, and a little different from the usual chili lineup, this one is worth making.

I followed the recipe almost exactly with two small tweaks to make it easier. First, I grabbed a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store instead of smoking my own. Second, I tossed everything into a Crockpot instead of keeping it on a smoker. Highly recommend giving it a try the next time the temperature drops and you want something hearty simmering away in the kitchen. -SW

Yucatan Sunshine Hot Sauce

I’d been rotating through the same three hot sauces for years until a friend told me to try Yucatan Sunshine Habanero Pepper Sauce. It’s a habanero sauce that’s less about heat and more about flavor. Vinegar-forward like Frank’s or Tabasco, but with a bright, citrusy kick that’s really pleasant. I’ve been putting it on scrambled eggs, leftover tacos, and just about anything that needs a little punch. It’s under $3 at HEB, and I always grab a few when I’m in Texas. If you’re tired of your usual rotation and want something that adds flavor without ruining your day, check it out. –KC

Baby Alligator Walker

Mary Kate is in that fun in‑between stage right now. She’s crawling everywhere, pulling herself up on anything she can reach, and standing with a little help, but she’s still hesitant to take those first real steps. We’ve had this alligator walker sitting on the toy sideline for a while, and a couple of weeks ago we finally decided to put it into the rotation.

It gives her the chance to “walk” without us holding her hands, and watching her push it across the room with this huge smile on her face is one of those parenting moments you just want to bottle up. She’s not walking on her own yet, but I can tell we’re close. I’d recommend this walker to anyone, not just for the developmental boost, but for the pure joy your baby gets from taking those early steps independently. It’s been a small thing that’s made a big difference in our house. -SW

Dadvice Weekly is Kyle and Skyler—two friends in their thirties, living in Colorado, settling into fatherhood and trying to stay sane. Every Tuesday we share what’s working in our homes: gear we use, routines we’ve tested, ideas we’re trying. It could be a recipe, a product that solved a problem, or just what we’re thinking about as dads.

If you have a tip, tried something we mentioned, or just want to say hi, reply to this email or message us on Substack. We read everything, and we’re always looking for what works. Glad you’re here.

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As I get older, I notice something about myself that I am working to change:

I tend to make conflicts bigger than they need to be.

At work, I can handle assertive communication and difficult conversations with ease. But when the conflict is with Alicia or a friend whose relationship I really value, it's a completely different story.

I don’t do it intentionally, but sometimes, with those I love, my body reacts to minor disagreements like they’re major threats. My heart rate spikes, my jaw tightens, and before I know it, I’m either trying to end the difficult conversation as fast as possible or I’m withdrawing from it completely. It makes me avoid difficult conversations.

Something that I’ve found helpful is using the phrase “what if” as a mantra of sorts. When I feel myself getting anxious about conflict or something else in my day, this quick phrase helps me to question my internal dialogue and keep it in check.

“What if this conversation about loading the dishwasher is just a conversation about the dishwasher (and NOT about the disagreement we had last night about finances)?”

”What if I just didn’t get anxious before my presentation to leadership this morning?”

“What if the stakes really aren’t as high as I think they are?”

It sounds simple, but it’s been super effective at interrupting unhelpful patterns of thought that can creep into life without noticing. -KC

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer

As we turn over the year soon, my goal is to slow down on purpose. Life won’t do it for you. Every January, I reread The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer, and it helps recenters me.

I’ve learned that life can be filled up with things (even good things) like small group, work, travel, softball, and time with friends. None of it is bad, but even good things can drain you if you never stop to ask whether your yes is aligned with your values, your faith, or your capacity.

Comer’s reminder is simple: hurry is the enemy of a grounded life. When we rush, we lose presence, we get tired in deeper ways, and we give our best energy to obligations instead of what truly anchors us.

If any of that resonates with you I encourage you to read this book too. Start the year with intention, not just momentum. Say fewer yeses. Protect your quiet. Make space for God, for rest, and for the people who matter most. -SW

Tracking The Cost of Year One

For any dads who find comfort in numbers, this Reddit post is gold. A father tracked 14 months of data—every bottle fed and diaper changed—to calculate the true cost of the first year of having a kid. Seeing the trends plotted out is wild and insightful (like exactly when milk consumption peaks vs. solids taking over). It’s a really validating visualization of how much work (and money!) goes into keeping our tiny humans alive. -KC

Netflix

A few years ago Brooke and I realized we were paying for way too many streaming services at once. YouTube TV, Netflix, Apple+, Hulu… all running every month even though we barely used half of them. I watch YouTube TV the most during football season through March Madness. Netflix only gets opened when new content drops. We kept Apple+ for Ted Lasso. And Hulu was just along for the ride. Not to mention that over the years prices have subtly hiked for the services.

So we started churning our subscriptions based on what we actually want to watch. It’s simple, it saves money, and it keeps us from paying for background noise.

We haven’t had Netflix for a few months, but right now is the perfect time to pick it back up:

• Two NFL games on Christmas

• The final season of Stranger Things with the finale on January 1

• A Cowboys documentary I still need to watch

• A new Knives Out movie to round it out

If you’re not churning services yet, give it a try. And if you are, this is a great window to jump back into Netflix. -SW

Thrift Store Traditions

Alicia and I started a tradition a few years ago that has brought us a surprising amount of joy: the thrift store mug exchange. We realized that older mugs often have better weight and quality, and it’s genuinely fun to hunt for something unique, inexpensive, and available at any thrift store. We give it to each other on Christmas with the other gifts under the tree. Since it’s something you use every morning, it becomes a daily reminder of that tradition, and gives you reason to think about it fondly all year. This year we’re getting the kids involved too. If you’re feeling the pressure of holiday spending, I highly recommend finding a low-stakes, inexpensive tradition in this vein. It really helps create space for joy and memories without a hefty price tag. -KC

Christmas Tree Topper Holder

If you have a busy house, you know the struggle of the leaning (or falling) tree topper. After ours took a dive for the second time this month, I bought this Twist-on Stabilizer. It secures the star with a metal corkscrew into the tree rather than relying on the bendy top branch. It’s a small thing, but the star’s never looked better, or more secure. -KC

Dadvice Weekly is Kyle and Skyler—two friends in their thirties, living in Colorado, settling into fatherhood and trying to stay sane. Every Tuesday we share what’s working in our homes: gear we use, routines we’ve tested, ideas we’re trying. It could be a recipe, a product that solved a problem, or just what we’re thinking about as dads.

If you have a tip, tried something we mentioned, or just want to say hi, reply to this email or message us on Substack. We read everything, and we’re always looking for what works. Glad you’re here.

Subscribe now

We’ve had our house since October 2019 which means we are about to have our seventh Christmas here. For the first five years, everything was crammed into the hallway closet. Year one was fine because there was minimal competition for space. Year two got harder because the Christmas gear was buried behind other stuff. By Christmas #5, pulling out boxes and the tree was a chore, and I started thinking through how to do this better.

Last year I did some research and made some purchases to have a better storage system. It has made our closet less cluttered and the process of pulling out the Christmas gear so easy. It sounds silly, but I’m passionate about this setup and want you to consider it too. I’ve showed it to other storage enthusiasts and have been given positive feedback.

This newsletter is a little different. The entire newsletter is about Christmas storage, and all the recommendations detail the system I have and how you can have it too.

I’m including a photo of my garage with some numbers that correspond to the recs I have below. -SW

1. Overhead Storage Racks

I bought overhead storage racks from Amazon. The brand I used is Fleximount, but there are plenty of competitors. I ended up installing two racks (one 4x8 and one 4x6). These hold our tree, bins, and other stuff including a spare set of golf clubs. So this is a Christmas storage tip, but if you’re going to do it you might as well think of your holistic storage system.

Tip: Measure before you buy. Check clearance between your garage door and ceiling to make sure a rack can fit. Also check clearance between your vehicle and the rack. I couldn’t put mine above the garage door when it’s open, but I could fit the cars in the garage underneath it. Planning and measuring before installing saved me time and a headache.

2. Lighting Fix

One rack ended up under a garage light, which got partially blocked by boxes. I solved this with a $13 LED work light extender from Amazon. It’s not mandatory, but worth mentioning if you run into the same issue. When you measure just know you are able to redirect your lighting.

3. Storage Bins

We use stackable bins from Home Depot for all Christmas gear. This isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s essential for maximizing space and keeping things organized.

4. Ratchet Tool

To hang the racks, I bought a cordless automatic ratchet from Amazon. A manual set works fine, but since I was doing this solo, it was a great excuse to buy a new tool. I’ve used it a few times for other projects too.

This setup completely changed how we handle Christmas storage. No more digging through closets or wrestling with boxes. Everything is organized, accessible, and out of the way. I did it myself and it probably took me two hours.

If you’ve been frustrated with holiday storage, this is your sign to fix it before you put the tree back into your current storage solution. It’s worth every penny. -SW

Dadvice Weekly is Kyle and Skyler—two friends in their thirties, living in Colorado, settling into fatherhood and trying to stay sane. Every Tuesday we share what’s working in our homes: gear we use, routines we’ve tested, ideas we’re trying. It could be a recipe, a product that solved a problem, or just what we’re thinking about as dads.

If you have a tip, tried something we mentioned, or just want to say hi, reply to this email or message us on Substack. We read everything, and we’re always looking for what works. Glad you’re here.

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Suddenly, a ritual we’ve kept since we brought him home, was over. It was a small moment, but it stung. It was a reminder that life is a series of endings and beginnings.

I was talking about this feeling with a good friend recently who is considering a career change. He’s been casually looking for a something new for a while. Now that he is deep in interviews with a company that would require a move, the possibility of significant life change is settling in. He’s concerned that taking the new job will force him to uproot his family and leave the community they’ve worked so hard to build.

Ambition can sometimes feel like a dog chasing a mailman. The drive for more—more responsibility, expanded territory, the new title—is the dog. The mailman is the thing we think we want. But the moment the dog actually catches the mailman, the thrill vanishes. You look around, confused, asking, “Now what?” You realize you might not have wanted the thing you were chasing; you just wanted the chase. The dog ends up missing the front porch.

Whether it’s the anxiety of a job change or the end of a bedtime ritual, the underlying truth is the same: everything is always moving and changing.

So what will our response be? It can be easy to squander the present because we are too busy mourning how things used to be. We can try to capture ghosts of the past rather than enjoy what’s happening right now. I seem to handle change better when I enjoy the present moment more, regardless of what it looks like. -KC

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

One of my favorite things to do on a longer stretch of PTO is read fiction. I’ve learned it helps me detach from work, recharge, and holding a book forces me to sit still.

This Christmas season while I’m on PTO, I’m re-reading Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (the author of The Martian). Dadvice isn’t a book club, but this is one you should consider. It’s a good story about space that’s well written.

Here’s why now is the perfect time: Project Hail Mary is being adapted into a movie starring Ryan Gosling, dropping in March. The trailer looks incredible (check it out here).

I first read this book about a year ago and loved it. I’m excited to dive back in over the next two weeks to prep for the movie. If you need a great holiday read, this is it. -SW

Bike Hooks for Garage

Our garage hit critical mass this fall—four kids means bikes, scooters, power wheels, and more piled everywhere you try to walk. We grabbed these bike hooks off Amazon and mounted them along one wall. The install took maybe 20 minutes total (just lag screws straight into the studs), and now our bikes hang vertically instead of sprawled across the floor. The hooks are rubber coated so they don’t scratch the rims, and they hold up to 65 pounds each, which is more than enough for our bikes. -KC

Just for Dad: Holiday Cheer from Shiner Bock

One of my favorite things about the holidays is having flavors that feel tied to the season. For me, that means cracking open a Shiner Bock Holiday Cheer.

Over the years this beer has grown to be the taste of Christmas time: the fireplace is glowing, the tree is lit, and there’s a bowl game on TV. If you’ve never had it, I highly recommend grabbing a six-pack. If you have, make it part of your December tradition where this is an option in your fridge for the upcoming bowl season.

Dadvice Weekly is Kyle and Skyler—two friends in their thirties, living in Colorado, settling into fatherhood and trying to stay sane. Every Tuesday we share what’s working in our homes: gear we use, routines we’ve tested, ideas we’re trying. It could be a recipe, a product that solved a problem, or just what we’re thinking about as dads.

If you have a tip, tried something we mentioned, or just want to say hi, reply to this email or message us on Substack. We read everything, and we’re always looking for what works. Glad you’re here.

Subscribe now

As I got older, the Lego countdown disappeared, but the reverence never did. In grade school, Christmas meant the longest break of the year. In college, it was the natural come down after finals. A month to breathe. There was always space to think about the meaning of Christmas and have anticipation towards it.

Then adulthood hits. You’re 22, at the bottom of the corporate org chart. You have barely accrued any PTO. If you’re not careful, Christmas becomes another day of the calendar, but you don’t have to go to work. No one coaches you on how to navigate this new phase. Later, marriage and living in another state from family add another layer. Holidays become a whirlwind of travel and family gatherings. It’s joyful, but its also filled with “to-dos".” Whether you’re traveling or hosting, its a whirlwind leading up to the 25th.

Now, I’m in another transition. Last Christmas, we had a newborn. This year, we have a one-year-old. I’m asking myself: What traditions do I want for my family? How do I keep the longing for Christmas Day and the meaning of Jesus coming to earth alive?

I encourage you to ask the same questions. Amid the busyness and joy the holiday brings, have a way to make space for you and your family to reflect and rest.

If you are traveling over the holidays, here are some tips. -SW

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The Parking Spot

Flying during the holidays can feel like a game of variables: delays, TSA wait times, crowds, weather, and parking. One way to remove a variable is by using The Parking Spot, a third-party parking service at many major airports across the U.S.

I’ll be honest: I have a love-hate relationship with it. Here’s why.

What I don’t love: You park away from the airport and take a shuttle to your terminal. Getting to the airport is fine, but after a long day of travel, waiting for a shuttle to get to your car to drive home can feel like forever. Each shuttle fits about 12 people, so if you’re number 13, you’re waiting for the next one.

What I do love and why I always use them at the Denver Airport: You can reserve your spot in advance. In May 2024, Brooke and I were headed to Costa Rica. We left home at 3 AM planning to use the airport’s general parking lot. Before leaving I checked online and saw the lot we planned to park at was full. I quickly pivoted to The Parking Spot app and booked a spot in minutes. That reservation saved our trip from starting with stress and worrying about time.

If you’re traveling for the holidays, there are enough unknowns in your day. Parking doesn’t need to be one of them. The peace of mind of knowing you have a place to park far outweighs waiting on another shuttle if you’re #13 in line. Book ahead with The Parking Spot and remove one variable from your travel stress. -SW

Literally Any Travel Stroller

Having a travel stroller that’s different from your daily driver is such a win. At first, I was hesitant to buy *yet another* stroller, but after several trips with the kids, seriously, just get one. We lucked into a solid deal on a Bugaboo Butterfly and it’s great, but honestly any lightweight, ultra-portable stroller in this category is a win. In stressful airport moments it’s clutch, like when you’re trying to fold or unfold a gate-checked stroller on the jet bridge. If the Bugaboo’s price tag makes you wince, the Zoe Traveler and Colugo Compact both punch above their weight for around $200-300. -KC

Digital Hanging Luggage Scale

For years, Brooke and I used the old-school method for checking luggage weight. Step on the bathroom scale, note your weight, then step on while holding the suitcase. Take the difference. If it was 45 pounds or less, we felt good. If it was more than 45, we grabbed a duffel bag and shifted items just in case. With Southwest’s old policy of two free checked bags, this worked fine.

But with Southwest’s recent changes, I think it’s time to tighten up the Waldo baggage weight policy. We have a Hawaii trip coming up in February, and I finally bought a luggage scale for eight dollars. Honestly, I should have done this years ago with how often we fly.

If you are still using the bathroom scale method, it is time to upgrade. This little tool removes one more variable from your holiday travel stress. Clip it to your bag, lift, and know your exact weight before you leave home. No surprises at the airport. -SW

Tip While You Travel

Traveling with kids means hauling car seats, pack-n-plays, strollers, and mounds of bags. The thirty minutes before we get through security and drop off checked luggage is genuinely the most stressful part of the entire trip for me. A few years ago I started carrying cash specifically to tip every person who helps us in that crazy window: the shuttle driver who loads our mountain of bags and strollers, the curbside bag guy, the rental car person. From experience, usually five bucks is enough to turn someone’s indifference into helpfulness. This $15-20 bucks per trip leg has bought me more peace of mind than any other travel tip I’ve read or applied. -KC

Strategically Pick a Hotel to Break Up Trip

I was recently talking to a friend about his childhood trips to see family. It was a two day drive, and as a kid, he loved it because it didn’t feel like a travel day. It felt like part of the vacation. His parents had a simple strategy: leave early in the morning, stop a little more than halfway, and stay at a hotel with a pool. For him, that random hotel felt like a resort. He swam with siblings, had fun, and made memories before even arriving at their destination.

Now as an adult, he realizes what a win-win that was. Parents get an early start and break up a long drive. Kids burn energy and have anticipation for the travel day. Even if the pool water is cold and the hotel is basic, it feels special to them.

Our daughter is still too young for this strategy, but I’m filing it away for when she’s older. It’s such a simple way to turn a long drive into something fun and memorable.

Create a travel strategy and make it a tradition if you can. Let the journey serve your family, not just the destination. Even if it’s a $120 hotel in Amarillo, it’s worth it if it reduces stress and creates memories. -SW

Dadvice Weekly is Kyle and Skyler—two friends in their thirties, living in Colorado, settling into fatherhood and trying to stay sane. Every Tuesday we share what’s working in our homes: gear we use, routines we’ve tested, ideas we’re trying. It could be a recipe, a product that solved a problem, or just what we’re thinking about as dads.

If you have a tip, tried something we mentioned, or just want to say hi, reply to this email or message us on Substack. We read everything, and we’re always looking for what works. Thanks for reading.

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Here’s what to focus on instead:

Process over outcomes. Love the craft, not the charts. Show up every day and do the thing because you want to. Run because you want to run, write because you want to write. The work itself is the win.

Be internally driven. Compete with yourself, not others. When you’re chasing someone else’s numbers or stuck in comparison mode, you end up playing a tournament where even winning feels empty. But striving to be the best version of yourself? There’s no limit to how far that can push you.

Embrace continuous improvement. Find small ways to get better daily. This keeps things interesting and insulates you from outcomes, ego, and self-doubt. Your successes don’t inflate you because you know you’re capable of more. Your failures don’t crush you because you gave everything.

Goals are finite—you hit them, feel good for five minutes, then what? But process is infinite. You control whether you show up and give your best. No one can stop you from that. Forget the destination, just keep showing up. -KC

Costco’s “Wine Advent-ure Calendar”

Several years ago Brooke and I were in Costco and we found an advent calendar that was a bottle of wine a day for $100. We ended up buying it and have since bought it several times for December. Basically you pay $100 and get 24 half bottles (375 ml) of wine. Some are red, some are rose, some are white and its a little over $4 to try 24 bottles of wine.

Its been something we look forward to and enjoy doing. We always start strong, but we have yet to come anywhere close to doing the full 24 before Christmas. But all in all, I think its a fun activity to do with your spouse in the month of December. Whatever you don’t finish is just extra bottles to try in the future. Also we’ve learned if you buy it ~December 8th-10th, you can get it half off. -SW

Taskcoach.ai

I’ve been using TaskCoach.AI for personal growth off and on the past few months, and it’s genuinely changed how I approach bigger goals. You pick something you want to accomplish, and it builds you a personalized roadmap with daily tasks to get you there. The cool part is it factors in your schedule and personality; it’s not just generic advice. Each day you get a short task list, video recommendations based on your goals, and feedback nudges that keep you moving forward. The light gamification (streaks, progress tracking) is just enough to make checking things off satisfying. -KC

Join a Golf Simulator League

The winter months of Colorado are tough for golf. Thankfully over the last few years we’ve had several golf simulator companies come to town to give people the chance to swing even when the courses are closed. I did it a handful of times last winter but this winter a friend and I are inquiring with joining one of the simulator leagues (For Colorado Springs readers and for non-Colorado Springs readers). Basically it gives you one night a week where you can get out of the house and play golf with a friend and not take the full winter off from swinging.

In our research we’ve learned there are two types of leagues. One is synchronous where every bay at the location are playing at the same time. The other is once a week where you can pick a tee time that works best for your team. There is someone who works there who will log your scores, develop your handicap (it is not connected to GHIN but a new handicap based on simulator scores tracked by the league), and you receive updates on how your team is doing relative to the pack. We’re leaning towards doing asynchronous so we can set our tee times for after the kids go to bed.
-SW

Biola Advent Project

Advent season is upon us! I’ve been subscribing to the Biola Advent Project for six years now, and it’s always a treat, especially as someone that can have a hard time connecting to the season. Each day pairs Scripture and a written devotion with art, music, poetry, and prayer—human expressions that connect the Christmas story to how we actually experience life. It’s a modern, thoughtful way to observe Advent without it becoming another chore on the list. If you sign up with your email, they deliver it straight to your inbox every day from the first Sunday of Advent through Epiphany. Takes five minutes, and it’s been one of the better traditions I’ve added to this season. -KC

Black Friday Deal - Apple AirPods 4 $80

A few years ago, someone told me about BlackFriday.com. I still don’t know how they make money, but they do one thing really well: consolidate all Black Friday deals into one place.

I’ve been browsing this year thinking I’d share a handful of deals on Dadvice, but honestly, only one feels worth mentioning.

For $80 ($50 off) you can get AirPods 4. I’m not sure what makes these different from the pro or previous versions, but it seems like a solid deal. AirPods are one of the most universal gifts you can give. Whether you buy them for yourself or for someone else, this is a great option to flag. -SW

Dadvice Weekly is Kyle and Skyler—two friends in their thirties, living in Colorado, settling into fatherhood and trying to stay sane. Every Tuesday we share what’s working in our homes: gear we use, routines we’ve tested, ideas we’re trying. It could be a recipe, a product that solved a problem, or just what we’re thinking about as dads.

If you have a tip, tried something we mentioned, or just want to say hi, reply to this email or message us on Substack. We read everything, and we’re always looking for what works. Glad you’re here.