Hey, Ready To Dad Crew!
Thanks for joining us. You could be reading any newsletter in the world, but your support helps Ready To Dad grow and reach more dads and families. We genuinely appreciate your role in this journey and in sharing Ready To Dad with your community.
As we step into December, the holidays bring joy, excitement, and a fair amount of chaos. School events, shifting schedules, travel, and the pressure to make everything feel magical can add up fast. We recognize how busy this season is and appreciate your efforts to stay grounded for your families.
This month, we’re focusing on how we can create stability and calm amid that rush. December’s theme, Holidays and Holding Space, is designed to help you reflect on how you can support your family and community during busy times, fostering a sense of calm and connection.
In This Week’s Newsletter:
Quote of The Week - “The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.” - Burton Hills.
Javaree Talks - Kids remember presence, not perfection.
In the News -
A Good Listen -
Good on Social -
Money Moves - Use Monarch to monitor your spending and your networth
December comes with its own pace. Holiday programs, school events, travel, gift lists, and schedules that never seem to line up. Kids feel that pace too, especially toddlers who don’t have a fully developed nervous system yet. As my daughter gets closer to two, I’m constantly reminding myself that my wife and I are her nervous system right now. She doesn’t calm on her own. She borrows calm from us.
That truth came into focus after a busy stretch of work travel in the fall. In Q3, I was in New York, then Houston, then Phoenix. The longest trip was five days in Houston for AfroTech. By the end of the week, I was racing through the airport, hoping to make it home in time for Halloween.
I walked into the house just as my wife and the kids were getting home, and the next thing on the agenda was trick-or-treating. Costumes were halfway on, energy was running high, and I’d barely set my bags down before I was right into the moment. Even though the kids saw me virtually every night during the trip, this was the first time all week I was there in person.
Kids don’t shift gears on their own. When we slow down, they learn how to slow down. When we settle, they settle. In that moment before costumes and candy, she wasn’t looking for the next activity. She was borrowing her calm from us.
As we head into the final month of the year, I know December will bring its own chaos: school breaks, holiday energy, unpredictable routines. But our kids don’t need us to keep up with the season’s pace. They need us to set the tone. Calm isn’t just something we teach with words; it’s something we model to help them feel secure and supported.
Kids regulate by co-regulating with us. When we slow down and practice calming techniques, they learn to do the same. When we breathe intentionally, they breathe with us. Creating small pockets of peace teaches them what calm feels like, builds their emotional resilience, and becomes part of the emotional foundation they carry into every holiday season that follows.
Dad Takeaways
Say, “Let’s slow down for a minute,” and let your child feel the shift.
Choose something grounding together, like turning on holiday lights or reading a short book, to foster a sense of connection and trust during busy times.
Try a quiet moment each evening or during busy holiday moments to help children settle and learn how calm feels in their bodies. These routines reinforce co-regulation and provide stability amid holiday chaos. These small practices show our kids that calm isn’t accidental. It’s intentional.
IN THE NEWS
GOOD ON SOCIAL
MONEY MOVES
One of the most important things a dad can do for a family is take control of his finances. Tracking your income, spending, and investments provides peace of mind and relief, setting a strong foundation for your family’s future.
I use Monarch to stay on top of everything. It’s a game-changer for organizing finances, budgeting, and long-term planning. It’s empowered me to create a system that works for my family, and I highly recommend it.
💡 Special offer for my readers: Use my code HERE for 1 free month of Monarch.💡 (Note: I may receive a commission if you join through my link—thanks for supporting the newsletter!)
Q & A CORNER
Reply directly to this email with your question, or use this quick form to submit anonymously. Whether it’s about family routines, connecting with your kids, or managing stress, I’m here to help!
Let’s tackle parenting together, one question at a time!
GET COACHED
Ready To Dad offers coaching services explicitly tailored for dads with young children.
We help you:
Discover your core parenting values.
Learn personalized strategies for growth as a parent.
Build and maintain a deep connection with your child.
Establish a self-care and personal growth routine.
We aim to help you feel more fulfilled and confident in your parenting journey.
Please reply to this email to book a free consultation when you're ready to work with me!
HERE FOR YOU
If there are specific topics you’d like to see in an upcoming RTD newsletter, reply to this email with your suggestions, and we’ll do our best to include them in future editions.
Did a friend forward this email to you? Subscribe here to ensure you don’t miss future insights and updates.
Thank you for sharing your time with me. Stay Ready To Dad, and have a fun week ahead!
