Dad Braids Club – Issue #3

Solo Dad Mode: 56 Hours, Two Kids, and a Whole Lot of Snacks

Author

Dad Braids
March 02, 2025

📩 Estimated Read Time: 3 min

Solo Dad Mode: Lessons from a Weekend Running Point

This past weekend, my wife went on a well-earned trip, leaving me flying solo with our 5-year-old and 9-month-old. No backup. Just me, two kids, and 56 hours to survive.

And honestly? It’s been awesome (6 more hours left). Exhausting, yes. But also packed with little wins, some great advice from the community, and a fresh reminder that we’re all just figuring this out as we go.

Before the weekend, I asked the Dad Braids Club for their best solo parenting tips, and you all delivered. Some were gold. Some were pure survival mode. And some were just, “Stockpile snacks and embrace the chaos.”

Now, onto this week’s finds…

💇 Dad Hack: The “Distraction Braid”

Braiding a squirmy kid’s hair should be an Olympic event. If your little one won’t sit still, try this:

✅ Snack bribe – A yogurt pouch, apple slices, or literally anything that takes 3+ minutes to eat.
✅ Mirror trick – Let them watch themselves while you braid. Somehow, it works.
✅ Book time = braid time – Read while you braid. The combo of listening + stillness is magic.
✅ The “You Pick” method – Give them a choice between two styles. The illusion of control makes them more likely to cooperate.

Tried this? Have a better method? Reply and let me know!

📺 What We’re Watching: Puffin Rock

Imagine Bluey but quieter, calmer, and narrated by Chris O’Dowd. That’s Puffin Rock.

It’s one of those rare kids’ shows that’s actually enjoyable for adults too. The episodes are short, beautifully animated, and somehow manage to be peaceful without being boring (which, let’s be honest, is a miracle).

Perfect for winding down before bed or just giving your ears a break from the usual chaos.

📺 Watch here: Netflix

🥤 What We’re Making: Peanut Butter Banana Power Smoothie

Breakfast, snack, or emergency dad fuel—this 3-minute smoothie does the trick.

  • 2 bananas

  • 2 cups milk (or oat/almond milk)

  • ½ cup peanut butter

  • 2 cups ice

  • 2 tablespoons honey, or to taste

  • (Optional: Handful of spinach—they won’t taste it!)

Blend until smooth. Tastes like a milkshake. Saves you from eating half a crusty granola bar. Win-win.

Full recipe & instructions here: Smoothie Recipe Link

📚 What We’re Reading: The Book with No Pictures

If you don’t own this book yet, trust me, get it. Kids think it’s hilarious because it forces you to say ridiculous things out loud. Guaranteed belly laughs.

📖 Check it out here: Bookshop | Amazon

🌟 Community Highlight: This Week’s Most Loved Video

Every week, the Dad Braids community surprises me with the love and energy you bring. This week’s video that hit the hardest?

📹 Last all day braid – A lot of dads related to this one, and the comments were full of wisdom. Check it out here

Have a favorite video or comment this week? Reply and let me know!

💭 Word of the Week: You’re Doing Better Than You Think

It’s easy to get caught up in everything you didn’t do. The dishes that sat in the sink. The laundry still in the basket. The meltdown you maybe could’ve handled better.

But here’s the thing—your kid doesn’t care about that. They care that you showed up. That you played the silly game, read the extra bedtime book, tried to do the braid (even if it was crooked).

Fatherhood isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being there. And you’re already nailing that part.

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, a dad win, or a total fail you want to share? Reply to this email—I’d love to hear it.