Dad Braids Club – Issue #2

Fatherhood, Flyaways, and Figuring It Out—One Braid at a Time

Author

Dad Braids
February 23, 2025

📩 Estimated Read Time: 4 min

Ever had your kid ask a question so deep it stops you in your tracks? Like, “Dad, were you alive when dinosaurs were?” or “Do trees talk to each other?”

Welcome to the Dad Braids Club, where we embrace the curiosity, the chaos, and the art of figuring it out as we go. This week, we’re switching things up—braiding tips, a killer book rec, a fun recipe, a DIY project, and a highlight reel of the best braid we did this week. Let’s go!

💇 Braid of the Week: Dutch Braids Tutorial

This week’s highlight? Dutch braids! They look fancy, but once you get the rhythm down, they’re super satisfying to do.

🔗 Watch the full tutorial here: TikTok | Instagram

Try it out, tag me, and let’s see those dad-made braids!

💇 Dad Hack: How to Keep Flyaways Under Control

You nail the braid, step back, and—boom—tiny flyaways everywhere. Annoying, right? Here’s how to keep things smooth:

✅ Start with a little leave-in conditioner – Keeps hair manageable from the jump.
✅ Use a clean toothbrush + hairspray – Lightly spray the brush and smooth down flyaways without making hair crunchy.
✅ Braiding damp helps – If hair is dry, mist with a spray bottle before starting.

Try these out and see what works best!

📖 What We’re Reading: The Mermaid Moon by Briony May Smith

A beautifully illustrated fairy tale about a young mermaid who ventures onto land to celebrate the Midsummer Festival. The Mermaid Moon is filled with magic, adventure, and breathtaking artwork—perfect for a bedtime story that feels like stepping into a dream.

📚 Find it here: Bookshop | Amazon

🍪 What We’re Cooking: 3-Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Cookies

Looking for a no-fuss, healthy snack that kids can help make? These banana oatmeal cookies are ridiculously easy, surprisingly good, and require zero baking skills.

🥣 What You Need:

  • 2 ripe bananas

  • 1 cup oats

  • Handful of chocolate chips (optional, but highly recommended)

💡 Mash, mix, bake at 350°F for 12-15 min. Done.

📖 Full recipe here: Clean and Delicious Blog

🛠️ DIY Project: The Ultimate Cardboard Castle

Grab some tp rolls, cardboard, scissors, and tape—it’s castle-building time. This DIY project turns leftover cardboard into an epic play fortress for our girls. Bonus points for adding a drawbridge.

📽️ Watch & build it here: YouTube DIY Castle

💭 Word of the Week: Show Up Imperfectly

Ever feel like you’re winging it as a dad? Good. That means you’re doing it right. Fatherhood isn’t about being flawless—it’s about showing up, trying, and figuring it out as you go.

Your kid won’t remember if their hair was perfectly styled. But they will remember you taking the time to do it. Keep showing up, even when it’s messy. That’s what matters.

🌟 Community Spotlight: Dad of the Week

This one hit right in the feels. Heather captured a great moment of her husband stepping up and learning to braid their daughter’s hair—exactly what this club is all about.

It’s not about perfection. It’s about showing up.

Watch the full video here: Heather’s TikTok

Got a moment like this? Tag me, and let’s keep this movement growing. 🤘🏻

That’s it for this week! If you got something out of this, share it with a fellow dad.

From my family to yours,
– Strider

P.S. Got a question or a braiding struggle? Reply to this email and I’ll try to feature it in the next issue!