Parenting often feels like walking a tightrope—trying to keep your kids safe while giving them enough space to grow. In this episode, we dive into that tension between control and trust, unpacking how much of it is really about our anxiety and need for structure.

We also bring back The Mess-Up segment, where we confess the parenting moments we wish we could redo—and the lessons hiding in them.

Key Points:

• The tricky shift from rule-heavy toddler parenting to trust-building with older kids

• How our anxiety drives routines, overscheduling, and “perfect parent” behavior

• The struggle to stay calm during morning chaos and public meltdowns

• Why letting kids fail a little is harder for us than it is for them

• The Mess-Up: moments we totally blew it, and how we recovered

• Balancing work, family, and our own mental health without burning out

Join the club: Super Secret Dad Club Discord

Fifty episodes in and we’re still parenting mostly by gut instinct and Google. This week, we dive into first-day emotions, birthday party logistics, and the awkward art of stepping back so our kids can figure things out on their own.

We talk about the stress of managing behavior without overcorrecting, the weird vulnerability of drop-offs, and how AI has quietly become part of our parenting toolbox. Also: we introduce a new segment called “The Mess-Up,” because let’s be honest—sometimes the best lessons come from the stuff we’d rather not repeat.

Key Points:

• First-day nerves and the emotional whiplash of transitions

• Behavior challenges and how to course-correct without control spirals

• Creating good summer days while keeping your sanity intact

• Using AI to manage health, stress, and occasionally, parenting guilt

• Embracing the mess-ups—and actually learning from them

Join the club: Super Secret Dad Club Discord

This week we caught up on a bunch of highs and lows—Jack’s crushing potty training and finally staying in bed (huge win), while Pete’s gut is still mad at him. Lacey graduated pre-K and somehow beat all of us at bowling. We talk about the neighborhood pool party that felt like the official summer kickoff, the screen time swaps we’re trying out, and why post-dinner walks and shooting hoops might actually be better than scrolling. Plus, we get into parenting hacks, Facebook photo fails, and why bi-weekly episodes just make way more sense. Oh—and one of us may or may not be obsessed with a $66 tempered glass mat.

Key Points:

• The pool party that kicked off summer

• Jack’s potty training and bedtime routine = game changers

• Lacey’s birthday bowling party turned into an unexpected flex

• Screen time swaps, mud kitchen builds, and staying sane as parents

• Pete’s gut health journey + accidental wins from ChatGPT

• The best $66 chair mat you didn’t know you needed

• Why we’re sticking with bi-weekly episodes

Come hang out in the Discord:
https://discord.gg/supersecretdadclub

This week we pulled on our most dependable t-shirt and asked the real questions: When did we become brand loyalists? Why is everything cut weird now? And does loving a hoodie count as a fashion statement?

We also took a stroll down memory lane—middle school crushes, boy band fever, and the exact moment you realized your dad had a weekend uniform.

Key Points:

• Celebrity crushes, from Shania to Obi-Wan

• The dopamine spike of a sunny playground day

• Grappling with the style legacy of our own dads

• Minimalism, brand loyalty, and the "Toyota of shirts"

• Quality vs. convenience in dad wardrobes

• How social media messes with our closet confidence

Join the club: Super Secret Dad Club Discord

If there was a magical parenting newsletter, we’d want it to include honest stories, practical hacks, and at least one tip about how to survive your kid’s bedtime routine without needing therapy. This week, we talked about all of that—plus splinters, the Tooth Fairy economy, and why jury duty felt like a childhood nightmare.

We also kicked around what our ideal dad newsletter would include (besides strong coffee and a diagram for potty training in public).

Key Points:

• Childhood fears we’re now reliving through our kids

• Potty training logistics before a new sibling arrives

• How to not lose your mind during a 90-minute bedtime routine

• Tooth Fairy inflation and dollar bill prep

• The mythical “cool S” and other kid folklore

• Building confidence as dads one challenge at a time

Join the conversation: Super Secret Dad Club Discord

In this episode, we reflect on what it means to prepare our kids for a changing world without overwhelming them — or ourselves. Derek shares the big news about expecting baby #2 and how it feels totally different from becoming a first-time dad during the pandemic. We talk through the evolving approach to parenting — especially when it comes to over-explaining, managing emotions, and letting our kids build resilience without dumping our adult stress on them. From personal growth to screen time, we’re figuring out how to stay grounded while raising emotionally strong kids.

🔗 Join the conversation in our Discord: https://discord.gg/2zwPEqpCyG

Key Points:

• Derek announces baby #2 and shares how this pregnancy feels more grounded than round one

• We reflect on the pressure to over-explain everything to our kids — and when it's just too much

• Balancing honesty and preparedness with protecting childhood joy and simplicity

• Talking about emotions without letting stress spill over onto our kids

• Why modeling resilience, adaptability, and lifelong learning matters more than memorizing facts

• The role of tech and screen time — and what our usage teaches them

• Rethinking how we “future-proof” kids without feeding their anxiety

In episode 45, we finally reunite in person and dive into a lively conversation about the weird, wonderful world of modern fatherhood. From late-night guitar solo practice and punk rock nostalgia to R2-D2 builds and DIY parenting fixes, we reflect on how our own childhoods, hobbies, and daily chaos shape the dads we are today. Along the way, we each draft our dream “Mount Rushmore of Dad Superpowers” — including calm under pressure, expert negotiation, and the ever-critical ability to summon snacks on demand. It's a mix of real talk, laughs, and reminders that parenting is part patience, part planning, and part magic trick.

Key Points:

• Catching up in person and bonding over guitar solos & pop-punk playlists

• Parenting wins and struggles: sleep habits, routines, and child independence

• How scouting and structured youth programs shaped our values

• The “Dad Superpowers” we wish for (and sometimes have!)

  • Calm in chaos

  • Master negotiator

  • Inspirational motivator

  • Pro-level scheduler

  • Snack summoner

  • DIY fix-it wizard

• The importance of showing up, being present, and staying curious as dads

👉 Come swap stories, powers, and parenting wins in our Discord community: https://discord.gg/2zwPEqpCyG

In this episode, we kick things off with our Hygge Question of the Week: “Who is the most interesting person you’ve ever met?”—which leads us down a few unexpected and hilarious memory lanes. Then we put our homeowner hats on for a Would You Rather.

From there, we dive into the heart of the episode: how becoming dads has reshaped the way we see our own parents. We reflect on the generational differences in parenting styles, how much more we appreciate what our parents went through, and the way those realizations are shaping how we raise our own kids. Along the way, we swap stories about daycare transitions, robot builds, yard work fails, and sweet moments with our kids that keep us grounded (and sometimes covered in mud or glitter).

🔗 Join the conversation in our Discord: https://discord.gg/2zwPEqpCyG

Key Points

• We answer the Hygge Question: Who’s the most interesting person you’ve ever met? and play Would You Rather

• Reflecting on how fatherhood has changed our view of our own parents

• Pete shares yard work struggles and a homemade phone case story from Lacey

• Derek talks about daycare transitions and building a battle droid with Jack

• Discussion on grief after losing a pet and how kids process it differently

• Challenges and wins with home maintenance and DIY repairs

• The evolving identity of being “grown-ups” and comparing parenting generations

• Creative projects with our kids—from robots to stuffed animals

In episode 43, we dive deep into personal challenges that have recently touched our lives. We share the emotional burden of Pete's family's health issues, including the heartbreak of losing our beloved dog, Penny, to lymphoma, and grappling with the complexities of aging loved ones undergoing serious health procedures. Amid these trials, we discuss the resilience shown by our kids and the small joys that light up our days. The conversation also explores our growth through these experiences, underscoring the importance of maintaining a hopeful outlook despite life's inevitable hardships. We also tackle our Hygge question of the day: "Is being sensitive a strength or a weakness?"

Key Points:

• Dealing with Loss and Health Crises: We open up about the recent loss of Penny, the emotional impact of her lymphoma diagnosis, and the challenges faced with Pete’s mother’s surgery and grandmother’s dementia.

• Children’s Resilience and Independence: We highlight moments like Lacey's newfound independence in breakfast-making, showcasing the small victories that bring us joy.

• Navigating Personal and Professional Goals: The conversation turns to the feelings of underwhelm despite achieving significant milestones, reflecting on the continual balancing act between personal aspirations and parenting duties.

• Exploring Personal Growth and Adulthood Challenges: We discuss the broader challenges of adulthood, emphasizing the importance of evolving and maintaining a positive perspective.

• Engaging in Meaningful Conversations: Throughout the episode, we stress the value of open dialogue about difficult topics, offering insights and shared experiences to help others navigate similar paths.

Join the conversation and share your thoughts with us on our Discord server!

In Episode 42, we're tackling the tail-end of winter's challenges, from the stubborn snow to unexpected flooding and the inevitable mud. We're sharing how we handle these dreary days and keeping you updated on our family adventures, like Jack's standout dentist visit and Lacey's newfound independence in the kitchen. Derek also opens up about a recent hiccup with a flat tire on Beth's new car that had us scrambling. We're also brainstorming some innovative family-friendly business ideas, imagining a co-working space that's as fun for kids as it is productive for parents.

Key Points:

• We discuss the ongoing challenges of late winter weather, including managing the mess and keeping our kids and pets safe and clean.
• Highs and lows of the week feature Jack's successful dentist appointment and Lacey's kitchen adventures, against the backdrop of everyday parenting hurdles like dental hygiene and car troubles.
• We explore potential business ideas that cater to parents, like a co-working cafe with a play area, pondering the sustainability of a membership model to enhance the experience.

• We wrap up with thoughts on future plans, considering the importance of family-friendly outings and the potential for new ventures that support both parents and children in our community.

Join us as we navigate the complexities of modern fatherhood, and don't forget to connect with us on our Discord server for more dad-centric discussions: https://discord.gg/2zwPEqpCyG.