Lessons in the Mess

Aug 18, 2025

Football is almost here, Premier League is back, and the kids are back to school. Feels like fall is sneaking up fast. Hope you all had a solid weekend and got some time to reset before the week ahead.

📕 DAD WISDOM

Lessons in the Mess

The other day, my 7-year-old decided to toss a pile of chocolate chips in the microwave. I half-heartedly told him “go for it” while juggling house projects, and sure enough – burnt cocoa, funky smell, kitchen disaster.

I could see in his eyes that he thought he messed up. But in that moment, I realized this was just as much a teachable moment for me as it was for him. He wasn’t only learning about microwaves, he was watching how I reacted.

Sometimes the best thing we can do is take a breath, stay calm, and remember that our kids aren’t the only ones learning. We’re learning too. How to lead with patience, how to model resilience, and how to turn messes into lessons.

Because at the end of the day, parenting isn’t just about teaching our kids, it’s about letting them teach us too.

RAD DAD

Jason Momoa

Photo via Men’s Health

Aquaman himself might be known for his larger-than-life presence on screen, but off-screen, Jason Momoa is all about being Dad. He shares two kids, daughter Lola and son Nakoa-Wolf, with actress Lisa Bonet, and for him, fatherhood is the real epic role.

“My kids are my greatest piece of art,” he says. “If I can pump them full of amazing stuff and surround them with beautiful art and music, then I’m going to live out my life watching them.”

For Momoa, being a dad isn’t about control, it’s about connection. “I didn’t know what it takes to be a dad. And I don’t want to just tell my son, ‘Because I said so.’ I really want to connect, and I want him to be vulnerable and open.”

Fatherhood also flipped a switch in how he lives: “When I became a father, it changed my life because it really made me learn to take care of myself. Prior to that, I didn’t give too much thought to that. Everything’s to live for after you have babies.” Follow Jason here.

DAD TOYS

Beanie With Light

Beanie season will be here before you know it, and this one’s got a built-in headlamp so you can actually see what you’re doing when it’s dark. Early morning runs, taking the trash out, fixing something in the garage — it’s got you covered.

Best part? It’s USB rechargeable and only ten bucks. Honestly, probably makes sense to grab two. Get it here.

🛒 WHAT ELSE WE’RE EYING UP

» Hoka Clifton 9 (20% off)

» Weekenders Sunglasses

» The Complete Guide to Smoking Meat

DAD BOD

Sleep Like a Pro

Tired Baby GIF

Want to crash faster at night? Neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman swears by a warm bath or shower before bed. Sounds counterintuitive, but heating up your body actually makes your core temp drop afterward — which tells your brain it’s go-time for sleep.

Other simple wins:

Dim the lights in the evening
Cut down screen time before bed
Get some sunlight first thing in the morning
Keep the bedroom cool
Skip the big late-night meals

Stack a couple of these and you’ll be snoozing like a champ.

Our Fantasy Football Survivor League is live. Get in on the fun for $10 bucks here.
We got a sneak peek at the new Dad Day site last week, and it’s the real deal. Pumped to share it soon (hopefully next month). We’re always looking for contributors to bridge the different stages of dad life. Parenting, gear, cooking, travel — if you’ve got something to say, hit us up.
Saw a video this weekend that hit home: if you’re feeling stuck, put a date on the calendar. Sign up for something hard. The challenge itself forces you to show up and do the work.

That’s exactly why we’ve been pushing dads to pick a fall challenge — 5K, 10K, half, whatever. Once the date’s locked, the excuses start to disappear.

If you need some structure, Runna’s giving our crew a free 2-week trial (code: DADDAY). No excuses — just pick a race, circle the date, and let’s get after it together.