Lead Dad 101

Lessons from Losing to a Week of Snow Days

Three snow days and two sick days unraveled one working dad’s carefully planned week. Here’s what he learned about boundaries, exhaustion, and resetting when parenting and work collide.

New Feature: Notes from the Book Journey

Snow days expose the central tension of working parenthood: the illusion that we control our schedules. A Lead Dad reflects on caregiving, work, and the need for a cultural “CareDay.”

Why Snapping A Finger Was Just a Nuisance On A Night Away

A torn finger tendon on a rare kid-free getaway forced one dad to improvise with a spoon splint – and reminded him that parenting, like life, is about adapting rather than chasing perfect.

What It Feels Like When You’re Not Your Daughter’s Driver Anymore

The day your teen drives off alone isn’t just about a license – it’s about realizing a chapter has quietly closed. A Lead Dad reflects on showing up, letting go, and watching independence take the wheel.

Feel Better Soon, Or A Daughter’s Stunning Realization That Daddy is Actually Useful

It took a broken collarbone – and a handwritten card – to remind one dad how deeply presence and love shape a family. Sometimes the smallest moments reveal the biggest impact.

A Broken Glass and Parenting Growth

When a wine glass broke during cleanup, the real lesson wasn’t about glassware – it was about how our reactions teach kids to handle mistakes with confidence and calm.

Why My Kid Spotting A Typo Brought Me To Tears

When my dyslexic daughter spotted a typo in a book, it felt like a miracle. This is a story about reading, resilience, and why parents must fight for how their children are taught.

Can There Be Too Many Caregivers in the Kitchen?

Can too much care make things worse? Is abdicating responsibility in a moment ever the right answer? I ask myself both of these questions most Fridays. My dad is down making breakfast, often something I’d never feed my kids. Carbs galore, a bit of fruit (maybe), no protein. G is here moving around our unnaturally […]

What Happens When Paternity Leave is Exploited for Profit?

Paid parental leave is a must – but does leveraging it for sales goals or compensation gains cross a line? A thoughtful look at modern paternity leave norms.

Big News: Company of Dads Book in the Works

Paul Sullivan, founder of The Company of Dads and former New York Times columnist, announces his new book Dad’s Home – a roadmap for modern fathers ready to lead their families and redefine fatherhood.

Why Picking Just One Hobby Is Key To Being a Productive Lead Dad

A simple question about a dream car turns into a reflection on hobbies, golf, and how working dads can protect their mental health while still showing up as Lead Dads.

What I Learned From Two Weeks Off

What happens when working parents truly stop working? One Lead Dad reflects on rest, family time, and what slowing down revealed.

Sign up for The Dad.

QUICK LINKS