Dad Braids Club: Protecting Who They Already Are

Estimated read time: 3 min

This morning, while I was braiding my daughter’s hair before school, her little brother sat nearby playing with a sock. Waving it and laughing his little heart out!

She’s almost six now. He’s one and a half.

And it hit me… He contributes nothing to the household at all. Doesn’t clean up, doesn’t help with breakfast, doesn’t say thank you. But we love him endlessly.

Why?

I think its because we love potential. We love babies for who they are, not what they do.

But somewhere along the way, it seems we start to forget that.

My daughter’s navigating a whole new world. One where shes now asking: “Do you think my friends will like this braid?” “Is this outfit cool?” She’s beginning to shift from being to becoming.

From joy to performance. From self to approval.

And I get it. We all do this. It’s how we learn to survive in a world full of rules, expectations, and playground politics.

But it makes me wonder. What happens to all that sacred potential we came in with What if our job as parents isn’t to shape our kids… but to protect who they already are? We need to learn to be part of the group(s), but giving up or dimming that unique flame is heartbreaking.

I dont have any answers. Just something I’m sitting with this week. Maybe you are too.

📸 Community Highlights

Some AWESOME first braids this week - and some incredible intermediate ones coming in from all around the world 🌍

Every photo reminds me how powerful this simple practice can be - dads, moms, kids, and caregivers connecting one braid at a time.

And a little behind-the-scenes update…

I just got word that the first batch of Dad Braids Toolboxes is being assembled now! 🧰

They’ll be ready to ship in early December.

These toolboxes - along with the Scrunchie Course - are the heart and soul of Dad Braids.

I’ve poured everything into them over the past six months, and I cannot wait for you to get your hands on them! Soooo stoked they’re almost here 🕺

🌀 Braid of the Week

I used to dread pigtails 😅

Uneven, messy, and always got the look…

But a few small changes made a huge difference.

Here’s what helped me get them right — one morning at a time 🤘🏻

🎥 Watch it here:

Instagram | TikTok | YouTube

🗳️ Poll of the Week 🎃

✌🏻 Final Thought

Our kids don’t need us to make them extraordinary. They already are.

They just need us to remind them - again and again - that being themselves is more than enough.

– Strider

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