Morning brother,

and happy Star Wars day! Here is a little something to get you in the spirit.

May the fourth be with you.

In today’s edition:

1. Fathering Skills Passed Down 🫱🏻‍🫲🏽

2. Supporting Your Child in Sports ⚽️

3. At Home Science Experiments 🧪

Parenting

The Dad Legacy: How Fathering Skills Are Passed Down Through Generations

Ever caught yourself saying, "I sound just like my dad!"? There's a reason for that. A study from the National Library of Medicine peeks into how fathering styles might just be a family heirloom, passed down through generations.

The impact that your father had on you as you grew up will have an effect on the way your parent your children. Here’s what the study uncovered.

The Study's Insights: 

Researchers took a deep dive into the lives of nearly 3,000 families. Their findings? The bond between your dad and his dad — your grandpa — plays a key role in shaping how you're raising your children today. It seems like fathering skills and attitudes are part of your family's legacy!

The Grandpa Effect: 

If your grandpa was actively involved and had a strong relationship with your dad, this likely influenced your dad to be more involved in your life during your early years. This ripple effect doesn't just stop with you. It means you're likely to carry on this tradition of active, engaged fatherhood with your own kids.

Children's Perspective: 

One of the most striking aspects of the study was hearing from the kids themselves. Children who experienced this legacy of engaged fatherhood reported having better relationships with their dads. This speaks volumes about the impact of our actions and the emotional bonds we nurture with our children.

The Ripple Effect: 

This intergenerational passing of the fatherhood baton isn't just a heartwarming concept. It has real, tangible benefits for children's emotional and psychological well-being. It highlights the importance of our role as fathers and the indelible mark we leave on our children and even our grandchildren.

Breaking the Cycle:

A conscious effort by fathers who recognize the shortcomings in their own upbringing can be transformative. Being aware of the past provides a powerful opportunity to redefine fatherhood. These dads are not bound by the patterns set by previous generations. Instead, they have the unique ability to forge a new path, one that rectifies past mistakes and focuses on nurturing, supportive, and understanding parenting.

This conscious break from tradition is not just a personal victory; it's a gift to their children, setting a new standard and altering the family's fatherhood narrative for generations to come. In this journey, awareness is the first step, followed by a commitment to change, ensuring that their legacy is one of positive growth and love.

Wrap Up

Our actions today are not just about the here and now; they're about setting the stage for generations to come. Let's be the fathers our children deserve and the ones they'll remember fondly when they embark on their own fatherhood journey.

Remember, every game you play, every bedtime story you tell, and every hug you give is more than a moment — it's a legacy in the making.

Dive into the full academic study for more insights here.

From the GRL DAD Crew

Sharing is Caring

Know a fellow girl dad who who needs a little GRL DAD in their life? 😎

The Toolbox

Coaching from the Sidelines: Supporting Your Child in Sports

Watching our kids on the field of play can be as nerve-wracking as it is exhilarating. Whether your little one aspires to be the next Serena Williams or simply enjoys the game, your role in nurturing their sports journey is crucial.

Heres a few ways you can be a supportive sports parent, offering tips on motivation, nutrition, and engagement without crossing into that dreaded 'helicopter parent' territory.

Motivational Techniques: The Pep Talk and Beyond

1. Encourage Effort Over Outcome: Remind your child that giving their best is more important than winning. This perspective not only reduces pressure but also instills a strong work ethic.

2. Set Realistic Goals: Work with your kid to set achievable milestones. This could be improving a skill, learning a new technique, or simply being a supportive team player.

3. Celebrate the Small Victories: Each successful pass, goal, or simply not giving up when the game gets tough deserves recognition. This boosts confidence and fosters a love for the sport.

4. Constructive Feedback: After the game, discuss what went well and areas for improvement. Frame it positively and collaboratively.

Nutrition Advice for Young Athletes

1. Balanced Meals: Focus on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. These foods provide the energy and nutrients necessary for athletic performance.

2. Hydration is Key: Ensure your child stays hydrated, especially on game days. Water is usually sufficient, but for longer or more intense activities, a sports drink can replenish electrolytes.

3. Pre-Game Nutrition: Opt for a light meal or snack that includes carbs and protein about 2-3 hours before the game. Think banana with peanut butter or a turkey sandwich.

4. Post-Game Fuel: After the game, it's important to replenish. A mix of carbs and protein, like a yogurt parfait or chicken with rice, helps with muscle recovery.

Engaging Without Hovering

1. Be Present, Not Pressuring: Attend their games, practice sessions, and be a positive presence. But remember, this is their time to shine. Offer support, not pressure.

2. Encourage Independence: Let your child pack their own sports bag or set their practice schedule. This teaches responsibility and ownership of their sport.

3. Open Communication: Create an environment where your child feels comfortable discussing their sports experience with you – the good and the bad.

4. Respect the Coach: Trust the coach's decisions and avoid coaching from the sidelines. Your role is to support, not to interfere.

Your involvement in your child's sports journey is invaluable. By focusing on positive motivation, ensuring proper nutrition, and finding the right balance in engagement, you're not just supporting their athletic endeavours but also teaching life skills. Here's to cheering them on – from the sidelines! 🏆

Last Week’s Poll Recap

Are phones and social media causing a mental health epidemic in our kids?

Last week we shared a new book, The Anxious Generation, that has sparked a debate over whether phones, social media, and other technology is to blame for the mental health epidemic? 

Here’s what the GRL DADs thought.

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Yes (78)

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ No (8)

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Not Sure (11)

97 Votes

What you had to say…

Daddy-Daughter Time

Simple Science Experiments

Overview: Turn your Saturday into a science experiment! This activity is perfect for sparking curiosity about the world around your kiddos. Conduct simple, safe experiments at home to explore basic scientific concepts like density, chemical reactions, and physics.

Materials Needed:

• Vinegar

• Baking soda

• Food coloring

• Balloons

• Empty plastic bottles

• Cornstarch

• Water

• Vegetable oil

• Alka-Seltzer tablets (or similar)

• Glitter (optional)

Experiments:

1. Volcano Eruption:

   • Mix vinegar, food coloring, and baking soda in a bottle to create a colorful eruption.

2. Oobleck:

   • Combine cornstarch and water in a bowl until you get a non-Newtonian fluid that's both solid and liquid.

3. Lava Lamp:

   • Fill a bottle with water, vegetable oil, food coloring, and drop in an Alka-Seltzer tablet to create a bubbling lava lamp effect.

Steps:

1. Preparation: Gather all materials and set up a workspace that's easy to clean, like a kitchen table with a plastic tablecloth or a tray.

2. Conduct Experiments: Choose which experiments to conduct and follow the steps for each. Allow your kids to do as much as possible under your supervision.

3. Discuss Observations: Talk about what's happening during each experiment. Ask your kids why they think certain reactions occur and explain the science behind each experiment in simple terms.

Bonding Tips:

• Encourage Questions: Foster a curious mindset by encouraging your kids to ask questions and think about the answers together.

• Take Turns: Let each child take turns adding ingredients or conducting parts of the experiment to ensure everyone is involved.

• Safety First: Explain the importance of safety and supervision when conducting experiments, even safe ones at home.

• Extend Learning: Use these experiments as a springboard to learn more about science. Look up videos or articles that explain the science behind each experiment in more detail.

Safety Note: Always supervise your kids during these experiments, especially when handling substances like vinegar and baking soda. Ensure a safe, ventilated area for your activities.

Science Experiment Day is not just educational; it's a fun way to bond with your kids, teaching them the wonders of science right at home. Enjoy exploring and learning together! 🧪

The GRL DAD Treehouse

📺 “You just need a nap…”: This dad has a great prank to try on your kids when you want them to take a nap!

🚫 Don’t let your kids hear this: If you want to ensure that you maintain control of your own brain, don’t let your kids watch this video.

🛞 SO MANY BUTTONS!: Who knew that Formula1 steering wheels have so many buttons. Ever wonder what they all do?

🐯 Tiger’s Still Got It: Tiger Woods challenged some of the Barstool Sports guys to a longest drive competition, but with a twist.