It’s already Wednesday. My kiddos wrap up school this week. Excited to get a couple of months off from drop-off duty.

Here’s what’s on tap…

• Let ‘em figure it out

• A debit card for your kids

• Grip strength for the win

• 8pm dinner reservations?

👉 PS - If this landed in your Promotions tab, do us a solid and move us to Primary.

📕 DAD WISDOM 

Don’t Be The Solution

Saw a post on Instagram the other day that stuck with me: “Don’t be so quick to solve your kid’s problems. Let them build the muscle first.”

It hit home. Whether your kid is 4 or 14, the instinct to swoop in and fix things is strong. But raising mentally strong kids means giving them space to struggle a bit - to think, to problem-solve, to come up with something before we step in.

If they bring you a problem, don’t unload your two cents right away. Ask a question. Make them wrestle with it. You’re not being cold, you’re being kind. You’re helping them grow.

The sweet spot? Be firm. Be kind. Be the calm in the storm. But don’t be the solution to everything.

Let them build that strength now so they can stand on it later.

RAD DAD 

Jonathan Z. Cohen

📍New Jersey
💼 Attorney, Podcast, Speaker
👶 Dad to two kids (1 year old & 4 month old)

I met Jonathan briefly at a Ten Thousand event in NYC last year. We were doing sprints. Looked at each other like, “Wanna turn it up a notch?” Naturally, we both picked up the pace.

Since then, I’ve been following him on social, and the guy’s a unit. Marathons. Daily 100 pushups, 100 dips, 100 pullups. Oh, and he's also raising two kids under 2, running his law career, and hosting a podcast. No big deal.

Jonathan’s biggest challenge right now? Handling toddler tantrums in public... while holding a baby. (Elite-level parenting.)

His favorite part?

“Falling more in love with my kids every single day.”

And his advice to new dads?

“Get on the same page with your partner as often as possible. And remember—it’s not about you anymore.”

He’s up at 4:30am most days, squeezing in training, work, and dad life before most people hit snooze. The man lives it.

→ Follow along: @jonathanzcohen

PARTNER CONTENT 

Teach Them Where Money Actually Comes From

Because “Can I have $5?” is a daily occurrence

Acorns Early is a money app and debit card for kids (ages 6–18) that teaches the basics - earning, saving, and spending — in a way they’ll actually get.

Here’s how it works:

You sign your kid up (ideal age: 6–18). They get to choose from 35+ debit card designs, which makes them feel like a boss at the snack stand.

Then the fun starts:

-Auto allowance
-Chores = paydays
-Set savings goals and target dates
-Turn on autosave
-Bite-sized money lessons built in

I just signed my 6-year-old up. Good timing, as he legit broke his piggy bank trying to manhandle it down the stairs last weekend (true story).

It’s $5/month (first month’s free), and honestly? You can’t beat it.

🎁 Try it free with code DADDAY → acorns.com/early

Kids aged 6-18. © GoHenry Inc. ("Acorns Early"). The Acorns Early card is issued by Community Federal Savings Bank, member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard International. Free trial for new subscribers only. Charges apply: $5+/mo after trial. Cardholder Terms and limits apply

DAD TOYS 

Bluetti Solar Powered Generator

Been on the hunt for a solid solar generator the past few months. Returned a couple duds but finally landed on this bad boy: the BLUETTI AC180.

It’s not cheap, but it’s built to last. Fast charge, serious power, and ready for camping, outages, or just flexing on your next backyard project.

One of those buys you only make once. Currently 36% off.

→ [Check it out here]

DAD BOD 

Grip Strength? Ya. Kind of a Big Deal.

Your grip strength might say more about your health than you think.

Research shows it’s tied to everything from muscle quality and metabolic health to your risk of injury, disease, and even how long you live.

You don’t need fancy gear to check it—just grab a tennis ball and squeeze. If you can hold max pressure for 15–30 seconds, you’re in a solid spot.

Want to improve it? Do wrist curls, carry heavy things, and stay active. Strong grip = strong body.

Dive deeper here.

JUNK DRAWER 

• From the Slack Group: Getting owned by toddlers, networking opportunities, recipes, and more. Sign up for free here. 

• You probably heard, but we have a ‘Dad’ hat out in the ether. Heritage-feeling: simple, clean, and timeless. Just DAD, stitched bold and built to last. Packing and shipping from my dining room table (see here). Pick one up today so my wife stops telling me to clear the table.

• Dad’s Playlist: Jukebox being updated on the regular. Check it out.

• Congrats to our newly appointed Chief Route Officer of the Dad Day Run Club here in Charleston, Austin. He and his wife just welcomed their 2nd kiddo. 🎉 

DAD HUMOR