👋 Hey Reader!
Here’s what I’ve got for you in today’s issue of WFH Dads:
- 7 essential WFH dad gadgets for 2025
- What I’m reading - Way of the Warrior Kid
- Recent issues you may have missed
7 essential WFH dad gadgets for 2025
Happy New Year fellow dads!
With the start of the year, I thought it'd be fun to share some essential gadgets I use all the time as a WFH dad.
These things help me:
- keep my energy levels up
- keep my kids occupied when I need to work
- keep my floor clean of toddler crumbs (at least for a few hours)
- and more!
Here's what I'm loving and why you might to:
Why it’s great:
I've talked about this in a recent newsletter about my home office but the Uplift standing desk probably the one piece of office equipment I wouldn't want to live without. Even with taking breaks every 2-3 hours, I still get tired of just sitting.
This electric standing desk lets you switch between sitting and standing at the push of a button.
I have the 72" Walnut version which allows for a lot of empty space even with my keyboard, mouse, microphone mixer, Mac Mini, and speakers all on the desk.
Pro tip:
Get several power strips that attach to your desk so everything can be connected to your desk and not the wall outlet...otherwise anything plugged into the wall could fall off your desk when it's raised.
Why it’s great:
Yoto Mini's are audiobooks for kids.
You slide a story card into it and the kids can listen either through the built in speaker or with headphones.
I’ve even gotten story cards for my four-year-old that pair with her physical books, so she can listen along while flipping through the pages (she’s not reading on her own yet). They also have music and podcast cards.
I've taken my daughter to a coffee house when I have to work and she's sat across for me listening to her audiobook. Also great for roadtrips.
Pro tip:
I've linked to the version that comes with the Yoto headphones.
You can get the Yoto without the headphones but I tried a couple cheap headphones from Target and the built-in 'volume limiter' made it so you could barely hear anything in those headphones. Worth it to get the official Yoto headphones (and still have control of the max volume).
Why it’s great:
I have two toddlers in the house. There are always crumbs on the floor. Always.
I have my Roomba vaccuum run automatically a couple times a week. I don't know if they make Roombas that can map out the room but the one I have just sort of randomly goes around and seems to do a good enough job.
It hasn't completely eliminated vacuuming or sweeping for us, but it does help!
Pro tip:
Sometimes it goes under my couch and gets stuck so I drop a few pillows down on the floor before it runs to block it from going under. Also, children under 3 may be terrified of the Roomba.
Why it’s great:
My 4-year old doesn't nap anymore, but she still has 'rest time' in her room. An hour to sit, read, and play independently (and for me to get work done if I need to).
She used to always come downstairs every 10 minutes asking if rest time was over.
So I got this Time Timer for her room. I set it for 60 minutes and she can visually see how much time is left.
Once it finishes, she can come downstairs.
Pro tip:
They make smaller versions of this that could serve as a simple Pomodoro timer for your desk.
Why it’s great:
This Ember coffee mug is so ridiculous and unnecessary.
But it's pretty awesome when your coffee that you forgot about for 45 minutes is still hot.
The coffee doesn't taste burned either.
It's got a battery that'll last for a 80 minutes so no need to keep the charging plate near your desk.
Pro tip:
Don't tell anyone that you can control the temperature of your coffee mug with an app. No one will be impressed.
Why it’s great:
The Apple Watch has a ton of awesome health tools like a heart rate monitor and exercise monitoring, not to mention timers, voice notes, and weather reports, BUT there's one thing I use mine for more than anything.
Reminders.
I hold the side button to activate Siri and say:
- 'remind me to switch out the laundry in 45 minutes'
- 'remind me to grab the kids' sleep mats tomorrow morning at 8:20am'
- 'remind me to move the steak from the freezer to the fridge on Thursday night'
- 'remind me to cancel this app membership in 20 days.'
- 'remind me change out the air filters in 6 months.'
There are several Apple Watch models, but the SE (which is what I have) is perfect for those who don’t need extra frills.
Pro tip:
If you have an iPhone, you can use your Apple Watch as a remote to take a picture or video (and see what the picture will look like). Great if you're taking a group picture or want to film yourself with the rear camera.
Why it’s great:
A Google Nest Hub is not just for seeing who is ringing your Nest door bell.
It's got a Google Assistant built in, ready to help you out.
I keep mine on my desk, where its large, clear clock is easy to glance at during work sessions.
I also use it to voice command quick questions like, Hey Google -
- what is [string of 7 numbers] added together?
- convert 8:00am GMT to central standard time
- set a timer for 25 minutes (another great Pomodoro)
I also have smart devices (or devices plugged into smart plugs) that I can turn on and off with voice commands.
Hey Google - office lights on.
Pro tip:
It's compatible with a range of home security cameras (not just Nest) that you can monitor on it as well.
Your homework
Buy all this stuff.
Your 2025 will be a flop without it.
Just kidding. You don’t NEED any of it. But here's how to figure out what's worth trying:
- Identify the problem
What’s driving you crazy during your WFH day? Too much clutter? Restless kids? Cold coffee? Pinpoint one or two things that would make your life easier if solved.
- Find the Fix
Match your problem to the gadget. Scroll back through the list to see what fits: Need focus? Time Timer. Crumbs everywhere? Roomba. Back pain? Uplift Desk.
- Take Action
Start small—choose one or two items to test out. Give it a week or two, then reflect: Did it help? If yes, great! If not, adjust or try something else.
Let me know if you grab anything from the list—or if you already use one of these!
I’d love to hear how it’s working for you.
Note: all the links above are affiliate links so I get a commission if you use those links and buy anything.
Way of the Warrior Kid by former Navy SEAL Jocko Willink is a kids’ book about resilience, discipline, and self-improvement.
It follows a boy struggling with grades, pull-ups, and school bullies until his Uncle Jake—a Navy SEAL—visits for the summer. Uncle Jake teaches him the “way of the warrior,” including how to wake up early, exercise, study effectively, and defend himself through jiu-jitsu.
I thought Audrey might be too young for it as we still spend most of our time in picture books, but when I told her 'I think you might need to be a little older before we can read this one' she was like 'no I want to read it now!' and she's hooked. We read a couple chapters a day and she's loving it.
Also, turns out they're making this into a movie with Chris Pratt.
A few issues you may also enjoy:
Thanks again for being a part of this community!
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Thom Gibson
Founder of Work-From-Home Dads
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