Dadvice Weekly #2 / End of Summer, Back to School
Dadvice Weekly - #2
As summer wraps up and the school year approaches, it’s just about time to start preparing for hectic months ahead. Whether you're finalizing school routines or still making the most of the last summer days, focusing on setting your family up for a smooth transition can pay dividends. This week, we’re sharing practical solutions to help families manage the shift as the school year begins. From keeping your car clean during hectic mornings to finding a quick, healthy dinner option, these tips are designed to reduce some of the stress that comes with back-to-school season.
Designated Vacuum for Your Car
I recently learned the Toyota Sienna has a permanent vacuum in the car. At first glance, I thought that was genius. At second glance, I thought why can’t I just buy a vacuum with the intent to keep it in the car? Its small, has a high PA, cordless, and will suck up the crushed Goldfish and dog hair. -SW
FURminator Deshedding Brush
…Speaking of dog hair, we got our golden retriever, Sadie, in January of 2020. We were so excited to get a dog, but little did we know how much dog hair would be a topic of conversation in our household. I ended up researching the best dog brush for golden retrievers and we bought a FURminator due to amazing reviews. I thought I was crazy dropping $40 for a dog brush, but it has significantly reduced the amount of dog hair and the need for lent rollers when leaving the house. The only tip I have for prospective buyers is the rubber handle might be perceived as a toy, so don’t leave it unattended with your dog. -SW
Personalized Silicone Bottle Bands
We’ve used these silicone bottle labels for about a year, and they’ve come in handy countless times, whether it’s for sending our six-month-old’s bottle to gym childcare or labeling the older kids’ water bottles for school. Our schools require bottles to be labeled, and these bands are a clean, aesthetically pleasing, and reusable solution. My advice: choose a font size that’s easy for caregivers to read at a glance. Also if you rinse them before the dishwasher, they’ll stay readable for a long time. –KC
One-pot Orzo Recipe
We found this one-pot orzo recipe from Max LaManna last summer, and it’s been a late-summer favorite ever since. In the past month alone, we’ve made it for ourselves three times—we even made it for a friend’s meal train after they had a baby. It’s simple, flavorful, and comes together for about $10–$12 if you’ve got the pantry basics on hand. It easily serves 4–5 and works great as a Meatless Monday main, or you can add chicken if you’d like.
We use regular parmesan instead of vegan cheese, and we usually skip the capers. Garlic is a main flavor driver here, so we tend to add an extra clove. Perfect for those end-of-summer evenings when you want something hearty but not heavy. –KC
Just For Dad: RYOBI Pressure Washer
I’ve lived in our house for 6 years and I’ve slowly accrued miscellaneous equipment that every homeowner needs. The good news is its cool to have stuff like an air compressor, lawn mower, pick axe, and electric lawn dethatcher. The bad news is as you accumulate stuff you have to put it somewhere. This summer I bought a pressure washer. When looking at my options I was trying to balance the PSI with price and the constraint of space. I landed on buying this one from Home Depot. I love it because it has enough pressure to do what I need it to do, it was relatively affordable, and the best part is its the size of an Xbox. -SW
Dadvice Weekly is written by two friends in their thirties trying to be thoughtful, present dads without losing our minds. It’s our small way of sharing gear, routines, and ideas with other dads who are in the thick of it too.
We publish once a week. No fluff, just useful stuff to help you lead your home with a little more purpose and fun.
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