In this episode of Eight Hundred and Thirty-Two Weekends, Tony reflects on Jonathan Haidt’s new book The Anxious Generation and how it’s shaping the way he thinks about parenting in the digital age. Growing up in the late 1980s and early 90s, Tony experienced a “real-world childhood” , in other words one filled with bikes, boredom, and play that didn’t need supervision or screens. Now, as a first-time dad, he’s thinking hard about how to give his son a version of that same freedom and exploration in a world that’s only becoming more connected.
From discovery play to setting early boundaries around screens, Tony talks candidly about what kind of childhood he hopes to create and why the first few years might matter more than we think.
Check out the book:
In this episode of Eight Hundred and Thirty-Two Weekends, Tony dives into the world of independent play—what it is, why it matters, and how it’s showing up in everyday life with his 8-month-old. As babies get more curious and active, they naturally start exploring their environment, and independent play becomes an incredible way to build confidence, focus, and creativity.
Tony shares how he sets up low-stress playtime using just a few favorite toys, why rotating options keeps things fresh, and how stepping back (even for a few quiet minutes) can help babies develop important self-guided play skills. Plus, he offers real talk on balancing independent play with the need for attention, and how to let go of the guilt when you're not actively entertaining your baby 24/7.
Resources Mentioned:
Lovevery Play Kits and Play Gym – Developmental toys designed for stage-based learning.
Independent Play for Babies: What It Is and Why It Matters – A helpful guide from Verywell Family.
Why Independent Play Is Important – Research-backed insight from Zero to Three.
n this episode of Eight Hundred and Thirty-Two Weekends, Tony shares a heartfelt and practical update now that his baby is 9 months old. From crawling attempts to peekaboo giggles, the eighth and ninth months bring big changes in mobility, sleep, eating, and emotional development.
Tony talks through what parents can expect during this stretch—like signs of separation anxiety, nap resistance, new babbling sounds, and the joys (and stress) of baby-proofing. He also reflects on how this stage feels more interactive, more personal, and more emotionally rich than ever before.
If you’re approaching month 9 or already in it, this episode offers both insight and solidarity.
Resources Related to This Episode:
Baby Development: 8 to 9 Months – American Academy of Pediatrics
How to Handle Separation Anxiety in Babies – Parents Magazine
Babyproofing Your Home: A Checklist – CDC Child Safety Guidelines
In this episode of Eight Hundred and Thirty-Two Weekends, Tony shares his experience navigating baby-led weaning (BLW) now that his baby is 8 months old. From the first tentative bites to full-on mealtime participation, BLW has been an exciting, messy, and eye-opening process.
Tony discusses what’s worked, what’s been surprising, and the biggest takeaways from the last couple of months. He also shares insights from the Feeding Littles course, which helped set a strong foundation for safe and stress-free self-feeding.
In this episode of Eight Hundred and Thirty-Two Weekends, Tony shares his experience transitioning his baby from the Snoo bassinet to a full crib—a big milestone that came with some unexpected stress. After months of the Snoo keeping his baby safely swaddled and on his back, seeing him suddenly sleeping sideways, sprawled out, or even on his stomach was nerve-wracking at first.
Tony walks through how they approached the transition, what worked, and how he learned to trust his baby’s ability to adjust. He also shares helpful takeaways for parents preparing for this change, including how weaning mode, a safe sleep environment, and sticking with familiar sleep cues can make the process smoother.
In this episode of 832 Weekends, Tony shares a recent stressful experience—his baby went four days without pooping, leading to some serious discomfort, screaming, and a worried trip to the doctor. Like many first-time parents, he and his wife weren’t sure if they should panic or wait it out. After getting reassurance from the doctor, they learned that baby constipation is totally normal and usually not a cause for concern unless it lasts too long or includes symptoms like blood or vomiting.
Tony discusses what helped resolve the issue, including extra fluids like water and juice, time, and a small dose of Miralax prescribed by the doctor. He also shares the emotional side of watching a baby struggle and feeling helpless—and how sometimes, patience is the best remedy.
Welcome back to 832 Weekends! In this episode, Tony shares his experiences as a first-time dad navigating the exciting and sometimes challenging milestone of teething. From soothing techniques to tips for managing the extra drool and disrupted sleep, this episode is packed with practical advice for parents of babies just starting to get their first teeth.
In this episode of 832 Weekends, Tony shares lessons from his recent road trip to Seaside, Oregon, with his baby. Learn how he managed naps, packed smart, and kept things simple for a smooth and fun adventure. Plus, practical tips for any parent planning a road trip with an infant under six months old.
I'd love to hear more from you in the comments. Click here to leave one with your own tips and tricks.
Suggested Articles for Further Reading:
In this episode of 832 Weekends, Tony dives into the challenges of bottle refusal, a common struggle many parents face when their baby hits the 4- to 5-month mark. Babies at this age are developing preferences, becoming more aware of their surroundings, and even teething, which can lead to unexpected resistance to bottle feeding.
Tony shares practical strategies to ease this transition, including:
With patience and a bit of trial and error, most babies will adjust. Listen in for these tips and Tony’s personal experience navigating bottle refusal with his own little one.
Suggested Articles for Further Reading:
In this episode of 832 Weekends, Tony shares his first experience flying with a 4-month-old baby, including the highs, the lows, and everything in between. From booking surprises to in-flight crying, he covers what went right, what went wrong, and how to prepare for smoother travels with an infant.
Check out these articles for more information:
Flying with an Infant: Tips for a Smooth Trip
This article offers a comprehensive guide on flying with a baby, from what to pack to keeping your baby calm during the flight.
How to Survive Air Travel with a Baby
A helpful resource covering everything from booking tips to in-flight entertainment for your little one.
The Ultimate Guide to Traveling with Babies and Toddlers
A must-read for parents traveling with young children, including advice on navigating airports, packing efficiently, and staying sane during delays.
Let us know your own travel tips or stories by sending a message to the show. Happy travels!
Many babies experience changes in sleep patterns around month 3. This episode focuses on what sleep regression is, how to handle it, and how to adjust routines to encourage better sleep. Here's what worked for me - maybe it'll help you too!
Let's discuss what parents can expect during the third and fourth month of parenthood, such as increasing awareness and developmental milestones. We'll also talk about how baby is more alert and interactive, but still in the "4th trimester" phase, needing a lot of soothing and attention.
The Hatch Rest, Hatch Go, and Hatch Grow are available at https://www.hatch.co. Seriously, it's just a great company and product lineup.
The Huckleberry tracking app is available at https://huckleberrycare.com.
The Lovevery Play Gym is available at https://lovevery.com/products/the-play-gym and yes, it's expensive...but ask someone to buy it for you as a baby shower gift like we did. :D
Hand foot and mouth disease hit our kid on week 11 - it was relatively casual overall, but it was his first illness (and our first as parents). It was a learning experience for sure. Here are my takeaways as a new dad.
I've found a few things are key as a new dad: a travel stroller, a stroller/car seat/bassinet system, and a rocker that works with all seats.
I'm sure I'll find more recommendations soon, but these are the three I've found key in the first 2 months of my kid's life.
Here are the links for products I mentioned:
2 months in and I haven't killed the kid yet. Here's what I've taken away from the second month of being a brand new dad.
At 37 years old, I have multiple degrees, I've travelled 40 countries, and I've done a lot of things I shouldn't say here.
I successfully avoided touching any of my friend's kids. Spoiler alert: that changed when I had my first kid in July 2024. Time to grow up, ya'll.
Join me on the dad journey as I figure out parenthood. I did the math and I only have the next 832 weekends before my kid, Lincoln, starts to drive. God help us both when that happens.
