Nick Holmquist
@nickholmquest.bsky.social
Helping Dads level up parenting through gamification 👾
2 decades of gaming • 2 kids to raise
Turn challenges into connection
🛡️ Accept the Dad Quest
2 decades of gaming • 2 kids to raise
Turn challenges into connection
🛡️ Accept the Dad Quest
That moment when your kid is melting down and nothing you say helps.
When logic ricochets off them and somehow hits you.
When you KNOW something 's wrong but can't figure out what.
There's a reason for that and may not be as complicated as you are making it out to be...
When logic ricochets off them and somehow hits you.
When you KNOW something 's wrong but can't figure out what.
There's a reason for that and may not be as complicated as you are making it out to be...
November 22, 2025 at 7:31 PM
That moment when your kid is melting down and nothing you say helps.
When logic ricochets off them and somehow hits you.
When you KNOW something 's wrong but can't figure out what.
There's a reason for that and may not be as complicated as you are making it out to be...
When logic ricochets off them and somehow hits you.
When you KNOW something 's wrong but can't figure out what.
There's a reason for that and may not be as complicated as you are making it out to be...
My son was covered in blisters, from his mouth down to his feet.
Hand, foot and mouth disease is no joke.
Two weeks out of school and the TV taking a new role on in the family as we all weathered the storm.
My wife was facing down a multi day migraine…
Hand, foot and mouth disease is no joke.
Two weeks out of school and the TV taking a new role on in the family as we all weathered the storm.
My wife was facing down a multi day migraine…
October 30, 2025 at 6:08 AM
My son was covered in blisters, from his mouth down to his feet.
Hand, foot and mouth disease is no joke.
Two weeks out of school and the TV taking a new role on in the family as we all weathered the storm.
My wife was facing down a multi day migraine…
Hand, foot and mouth disease is no joke.
Two weeks out of school and the TV taking a new role on in the family as we all weathered the storm.
My wife was facing down a multi day migraine…
March 4th 2022 the day we installed our baby gates.
Read from my old journal on the day we happened to take the gates down.
Life can be so random at times.
PS. the top of the stairs feels a little sketchy without the gate now…
Read from my old journal on the day we happened to take the gates down.
Life can be so random at times.
PS. the top of the stairs feels a little sketchy without the gate now…
October 19, 2025 at 4:56 AM
March 4th 2022 the day we installed our baby gates.
Read from my old journal on the day we happened to take the gates down.
Life can be so random at times.
PS. the top of the stairs feels a little sketchy without the gate now…
Read from my old journal on the day we happened to take the gates down.
Life can be so random at times.
PS. the top of the stairs feels a little sketchy without the gate now…
Solo bedtime duty...
Three words that strike fear into the hearts of parents everywhere.
Last night: 2 kids. 1 flap book. 0 patience left.
What started as innocent dinosaur reading became WWE SmackDown.
I caught stray hands with my face while trying to bring about peace.
Three words that strike fear into the hearts of parents everywhere.
Last night: 2 kids. 1 flap book. 0 patience left.
What started as innocent dinosaur reading became WWE SmackDown.
I caught stray hands with my face while trying to bring about peace.
October 5, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Solo bedtime duty...
Three words that strike fear into the hearts of parents everywhere.
Last night: 2 kids. 1 flap book. 0 patience left.
What started as innocent dinosaur reading became WWE SmackDown.
I caught stray hands with my face while trying to bring about peace.
Three words that strike fear into the hearts of parents everywhere.
Last night: 2 kids. 1 flap book. 0 patience left.
What started as innocent dinosaur reading became WWE SmackDown.
I caught stray hands with my face while trying to bring about peace.
My 4-year-old taught me an essential lesson in leadership after saying:
"I feel bad for hitting my brother."
Hours after the fact and an event that I wasn't even aware of.
Here's what I realized - she was modeling MY guilt patterns.
"I feel bad for hitting my brother."
Hours after the fact and an event that I wasn't even aware of.
Here's what I realized - she was modeling MY guilt patterns.
October 2, 2025 at 5:15 PM
My 4-year-old taught me an essential lesson in leadership after saying:
"I feel bad for hitting my brother."
Hours after the fact and an event that I wasn't even aware of.
Here's what I realized - she was modeling MY guilt patterns.
"I feel bad for hitting my brother."
Hours after the fact and an event that I wasn't even aware of.
Here's what I realized - she was modeling MY guilt patterns.
I was outnumbered.
Two kids to one sleep deprived Dad doing bedtime.
I crushed bath time and was feeling solid going into the night routine.
Then some little hands entered the porcelain throne and my emotional stability evaporated.
The chaos pushing me to yell...
Two kids to one sleep deprived Dad doing bedtime.
I crushed bath time and was feeling solid going into the night routine.
Then some little hands entered the porcelain throne and my emotional stability evaporated.
The chaos pushing me to yell...
September 6, 2025 at 8:52 PM
I was outnumbered.
Two kids to one sleep deprived Dad doing bedtime.
I crushed bath time and was feeling solid going into the night routine.
Then some little hands entered the porcelain throne and my emotional stability evaporated.
The chaos pushing me to yell...
Two kids to one sleep deprived Dad doing bedtime.
I crushed bath time and was feeling solid going into the night routine.
Then some little hands entered the porcelain throne and my emotional stability evaporated.
The chaos pushing me to yell...
100 weeks of writing newsletters and let me tell you...
I've learned a lot.
Started out terrified I'd get distracted and fail.
Yet here I am, 100 editions later without missing a single week.
This week is about boundaries.
How in #Parenting, they tend to get complicated...
I've learned a lot.
Started out terrified I'd get distracted and fail.
Yet here I am, 100 editions later without missing a single week.
This week is about boundaries.
How in #Parenting, they tend to get complicated...
August 31, 2025 at 6:58 AM
100 weeks of writing newsletters and let me tell you...
I've learned a lot.
Started out terrified I'd get distracted and fail.
Yet here I am, 100 editions later without missing a single week.
This week is about boundaries.
How in #Parenting, they tend to get complicated...
I've learned a lot.
Started out terrified I'd get distracted and fail.
Yet here I am, 100 editions later without missing a single week.
This week is about boundaries.
How in #Parenting, they tend to get complicated...
🧙🏼♂️ Good morning to my fellow #Dads creating victory rituals.
First poop in the toilet? That deserves a Bards Guild ceremony!
Mark the moments. Today's celebration becomes tomorrow's confidence.
First poop in the toilet? That deserves a Bards Guild ceremony!
Mark the moments. Today's celebration becomes tomorrow's confidence.
August 28, 2025 at 1:15 PM
🧙🏼♂️ Good morning to my fellow #Dads creating victory rituals.
First poop in the toilet? That deserves a Bards Guild ceremony!
Mark the moments. Today's celebration becomes tomorrow's confidence.
First poop in the toilet? That deserves a Bards Guild ceremony!
Mark the moments. Today's celebration becomes tomorrow's confidence.
🧙🏼♂️ Good morning to my fellow #Dads letting kids climb "too high."
Our inner protector screams "danger!" but Explorer wisdom knows: managed risk builds capable kids.
Spot them, don't stop them.
Our inner protector screams "danger!" but Explorer wisdom knows: managed risk builds capable kids.
Spot them, don't stop them.
August 27, 2025 at 1:15 PM
🧙🏼♂️ Good morning to my fellow #Dads letting kids climb "too high."
Our inner protector screams "danger!" but Explorer wisdom knows: managed risk builds capable kids.
Spot them, don't stop them.
Our inner protector screams "danger!" but Explorer wisdom knows: managed risk builds capable kids.
Spot them, don't stop them.
🧙🏼♂️ Good morning to my fellow #Dads who transformed bedtime from battle to adventure.
"The Sleep Dragon awaits!" beats "Go to bed NOW!"
Same destination, different journey. Stories make compliance fun.
"The Sleep Dragon awaits!" beats "Go to bed NOW!"
Same destination, different journey. Stories make compliance fun.
August 25, 2025 at 1:31 PM
🧙🏼♂️ Good morning to my fellow #Dads who transformed bedtime from battle to adventure.
"The Sleep Dragon awaits!" beats "Go to bed NOW!"
Same destination, different journey. Stories make compliance fun.
"The Sleep Dragon awaits!" beats "Go to bed NOW!"
Same destination, different journey. Stories make compliance fun.
Watching your kid learn to talk is such an amazing experience.
My son went from saying one word at a time (which was incredible on its own) to saying two words.
The amount of clarity we gained from his statements was exponentially higher.
Its mind bottleing.
My son went from saying one word at a time (which was incredible on its own) to saying two words.
The amount of clarity we gained from his statements was exponentially higher.
Its mind bottleing.
August 24, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Watching your kid learn to talk is such an amazing experience.
My son went from saying one word at a time (which was incredible on its own) to saying two words.
The amount of clarity we gained from his statements was exponentially higher.
Its mind bottleing.
My son went from saying one word at a time (which was incredible on its own) to saying two words.
The amount of clarity we gained from his statements was exponentially higher.
Its mind bottleing.
My son pooped in the toilet for the first time last night.
So we had a family dance party to celebrate.
These are the kind of moments you live for as a parent.
So proud of my son!
So we had a family dance party to celebrate.
These are the kind of moments you live for as a parent.
So proud of my son!
August 21, 2025 at 6:27 PM
My son pooped in the toilet for the first time last night.
So we had a family dance party to celebrate.
These are the kind of moments you live for as a parent.
So proud of my son!
So we had a family dance party to celebrate.
These are the kind of moments you live for as a parent.
So proud of my son!
🧙🏼♂️ Good morning to my fellow #Dads gamifying screen limits. "Complete these three quests to unlock tablet time!" Chores become achievements. Boundaries become game mechanics.
Resistance becomes engagement.
Resistance becomes engagement.
August 18, 2025 at 1:15 PM
🧙🏼♂️ Good morning to my fellow #Dads gamifying screen limits. "Complete these three quests to unlock tablet time!" Chores become achievements. Boundaries become game mechanics.
Resistance becomes engagement.
Resistance becomes engagement.
🧙🏼♂️ Good morning to my fellow #Dads letting kids climb "too high." Our internal voice screams "danger!" but Explorer wisdom knows: managed risk builds capable kids.
Spot them, don't stop them.
Spot them, don't stop them.
August 17, 2025 at 1:15 PM
🧙🏼♂️ Good morning to my fellow #Dads letting kids climb "too high." Our internal voice screams "danger!" but Explorer wisdom knows: managed risk builds capable kids.
Spot them, don't stop them.
Spot them, don't stop them.
My daughter refused to get into her car seat after my son refused to trade with her.
The meltdown that followed had me completely stumped (any #Parents relate?).
Until I discovered her 'seat rebellion' was masking a deeper fear she'd been carrying for weeks...
The meltdown that followed had me completely stumped (any #Parents relate?).
Until I discovered her 'seat rebellion' was masking a deeper fear she'd been carrying for weeks...
August 16, 2025 at 9:18 PM
My daughter refused to get into her car seat after my son refused to trade with her.
The meltdown that followed had me completely stumped (any #Parents relate?).
Until I discovered her 'seat rebellion' was masking a deeper fear she'd been carrying for weeks...
The meltdown that followed had me completely stumped (any #Parents relate?).
Until I discovered her 'seat rebellion' was masking a deeper fear she'd been carrying for weeks...
🧙🏼♂️ Good morning to my fellow #Dads who've noticed the pattern: meltdowns at 5:17pm aren't random.
Hunger + tired + transition = explosion.
Early dinner at 5:00 changes everything.
Patterns reveal solutions.
Hunger + tired + transition = explosion.
Early dinner at 5:00 changes everything.
Patterns reveal solutions.
August 16, 2025 at 1:15 PM
🧙🏼♂️ Good morning to my fellow #Dads who've noticed the pattern: meltdowns at 5:17pm aren't random.
Hunger + tired + transition = explosion.
Early dinner at 5:00 changes everything.
Patterns reveal solutions.
Hunger + tired + transition = explosion.
Early dinner at 5:00 changes everything.
Patterns reveal solutions.
🧙🏼♂️ Good morning to my fellow #Dads turning toy conflicts into collaboration quests.
"How can we both win?" beats "Share!" every time.
Today's battles become tomorrow's problem-solving skills.
"How can we both win?" beats "Share!" every time.
Today's battles become tomorrow's problem-solving skills.
August 15, 2025 at 1:15 PM
🧙🏼♂️ Good morning to my fellow #Dads turning toy conflicts into collaboration quests.
"How can we both win?" beats "Share!" every time.
Today's battles become tomorrow's problem-solving skills.
"How can we both win?" beats "Share!" every time.
Today's battles become tomorrow's problem-solving skills.
🧙🏼♂️ Good morning to my fellow #Dads choosing curiosity over judgment.
"I wonder why you threw that?" unlocks more truth than "Don't throw!"
Understanding the why guides us to real solutions.
"I wonder why you threw that?" unlocks more truth than "Don't throw!"
Understanding the why guides us to real solutions.
August 14, 2025 at 1:15 PM
🧙🏼♂️ Good morning to my fellow #Dads choosing curiosity over judgment.
"I wonder why you threw that?" unlocks more truth than "Don't throw!"
Understanding the why guides us to real solutions.
"I wonder why you threw that?" unlocks more truth than "Don't throw!"
Understanding the why guides us to real solutions.
🧙🏼♂️ Good morning to my fellow #Dads teaching regulation through rhythm.
That "dragon breath" song you practice during calm?
It becomes their tool when lightning wants to strike.
Prevention beats reaction.
That "dragon breath" song you practice during calm?
It becomes their tool when lightning wants to strike.
Prevention beats reaction.
August 13, 2025 at 1:15 PM
🧙🏼♂️ Good morning to my fellow #Dads teaching regulation through rhythm.
That "dragon breath" song you practice during calm?
It becomes their tool when lightning wants to strike.
Prevention beats reaction.
That "dragon breath" song you practice during calm?
It becomes their tool when lightning wants to strike.
Prevention beats reaction.
🧙🏼♂️ Good morning to my fellow #Dads giving their kids control when they can.
"Do you want to brush teeth first or put on pajamas?" Same destination, but giving choices prevents bedtime boss battles.
"Do you want to brush teeth first or put on pajamas?" Same destination, but giving choices prevents bedtime boss battles.
August 12, 2025 at 1:15 PM
🧙🏼♂️ Good morning to my fellow #Dads giving their kids control when they can.
"Do you want to brush teeth first or put on pajamas?" Same destination, but giving choices prevents bedtime boss battles.
"Do you want to brush teeth first or put on pajamas?" Same destination, but giving choices prevents bedtime boss battles.
🧙🏼♂️ Good morning to my fellow #Dads whose anger won yesterday.
Maybe you yelled. Maybe you overreacted.
Today's quest: repair the connection. Our kids learn more from our apologies than our perfection.
Maybe you yelled. Maybe you overreacted.
Today's quest: repair the connection. Our kids learn more from our apologies than our perfection.
August 11, 2025 at 1:15 PM
🧙🏼♂️ Good morning to my fellow #Dads whose anger won yesterday.
Maybe you yelled. Maybe you overreacted.
Today's quest: repair the connection. Our kids learn more from our apologies than our perfection.
Maybe you yelled. Maybe you overreacted.
Today's quest: repair the connection. Our kids learn more from our apologies than our perfection.
🧙🏼♂️ Good morning to my fellow #Dads who validate before correcting.
"You're furious your sister took your toy AND we don't hit" holds both truths.
Connection makes the lesson stick.
"You're furious your sister took your toy AND we don't hit" holds both truths.
Connection makes the lesson stick.
August 10, 2025 at 1:15 PM
🧙🏼♂️ Good morning to my fellow #Dads who validate before correcting.
"You're furious your sister took your toy AND we don't hit" holds both truths.
Connection makes the lesson stick.
"You're furious your sister took your toy AND we don't hit" holds both truths.
Connection makes the lesson stick.