14 People who understand the true meaning of being a good father
Family and children a week ago
Stories about fathers are common on the Internet: “picked up the wrong child from daycare”, “went to buy some groceries and never came back”, etc. Even though there are decent parents, they still happen and many people still consider them a miracle these days. Read about the challenges of fatherhood in this post.
My wife June and I had a daughter named Claire together but we are no longer together. I lost my job and we had a terrible divorce. she found her home abandoned with the message that she wanted someone who could “give her the lifestyle she and Clare deserve.” It was some time before I saw Clare again.
But I’m in great financial shape right now. Trying to make up for lost time when I have 50% childcare. This means that since the world has opened up again, we’ll be doing whatever Clare wants to do on the weekends she spends with me, including the typical things like going to museums, the cinema, local national parks, and city festivals. He does well in school and helps with homework.
June and her husband were waiting when I picked up my child from school yesterday and wanted to talk to me. They said his former ventures suffered a serious setback from which they never fully recovered, forcing them to drastically curtail their lifestyles, including June taking a job.
Then they told me June was expecting a baby and they didn’t want the bond between the two children to suffer because they couldn’t treat their own child the way I spoiled Clare. I assured them that Clare was a wonderful child who deserved credit for her good behavior and that I had no plans to change the way I had raised her. As the conversation continued, June yelled at me and accused me of being a “fucking Disneyland dad who is using my money to get back at her.” © Reddit/DecisionInfinite6688
My daughter’s eyes hurt, the nursery school claimed on the phone. Everything was fine in the morning. After I took her to the doctor, he advised her to stay home for a week because she had conjunctivitis. My husband accepted my offer to stay with her, thinking that it was the holidays and that it was enough to stay home and give the baby medicine.
Actually, our daughter had a toothache on the first day. When he brought her to the doctor, he pulled out two of her baby teeth at the same time. The toddler started coughing the next day. Her eyes, teeth, and throat needed treatment by my husband.
“Daddy, my ear hurts!” my daughter exclaimed on the third day. The father and the child visited the doctor once more, who gave them ear drops. X-rays and blood tests were then required.
My husband ran after the doctors and treated the child for two weeks. He never looked happier as he raced back to work. My wife admitted to me about seven years ago that she was quite depressed about having to give up her job. She was always with our children. And I replied, “Okay, I’m a stay-at-home dad now. Honey, go get a job and prove to them that you are.”
Everything seems to be going well, but over the past seven years I’ve had men come up to me and say things like, “Your wife left you with the kids again, didn’t she?” Alternatively, “What did you do wrong to deserve this, mate?” Women would also treat me like I was worthless and kick me out of my parent’s room.
And since there’s no other reason why a man should be a parent, all single women assume I’m a single father. However, my children adore my presence. I can manage five children and still finish the cleaning, and I’m also a good cook with experience in leading a team of gardeners. © Reddit/TheManRedeemed
At the age of ten, my daughter decided to try out a neighborhood theater production of Beauty and the Beast. But because she was so sure she couldn’t do it, she got nervous and almost backed out. Even though he knew she could never do it, my husband, who had some acting experience in high school, stepped in and offered to give her a try as well. He wanted to show her that audition for something you don’t think you can do. That’s cool. In the end, she not only succeeded but also won Chip’s part. The role of Bella’s father Maurice went to my husband. He didn’t want to appear in some goddamn game. © Reddit/chipdipper99
My husband doesn’t drive so it made a lot more sense for him to stay with my baby while he was in the hospital. I could arrive in 20 minutes, but it would take him over an hour, and there could only be one of us left. During all of this, he was either asked if his mother was involved, or given absurd praise for sticking it out.
My husband stayed with us from the time we arrived until the ward was about to leave after the baby was born. They were really shocked that he hadn’t left yet. He was going to get down to it when I recovered from being cut open and having the little human pulled out of my womb after all his first child had just been born. The nurse came to me the next day and told me that in 20 years of working on maternity leave, they had never seen a father stay as long as he did. © Reddit/thegrimrita
My child and I often have trouble using the toilet together when we go out. I head straight for the accessible restroom.
If someone out of the blue asks me why I’m going there, I surprise them with the question: “So which one should we use?”
And I’ll leave while they try to come up with a solution. © Pikabu/efs
With my partner dealing with post-partum depression and a lot on her plate, I’ve spent most of the last eight months taking care of our 8-month-old son. Don’t get me wrong, he does a fantastic job; he just has some mental problems now. I will do everything eventually.
People usually say, “Oh, you have diaper duty, that’s good,” whenever I change his diaper when we go out or do whatever. I can see she believes I’m doing it to look nice when we’re out. Compliment “You’re doing an amazing job as a mother!” will be given to my partner. Plus I get the standard “Dad’s doing a good job too” response, as if they’ve almost forgotten about me. © Reddit/Author Unknown
My mother and stepfather shared a home with me.
From the age of three, my stepfather was like a father to me. At 15, I started falling behind in schoolwork and partying all day and night.
We argued when my stepdad tried to solve the problem. “You are not my father!” I yelled at him in my youthful maximalism as he tried to reason with me. This is how a 15-year-old girl moved a 40-year-old man to tears. I still feel awkward. © Ideer/Overhead
My husband and I divorced. After a while, I started arguing with my child who said I was crazy and doing everything wrong and that her father was excellent.
I figured that within a month they would both be crying over each other, so I sent her to live with her father. However, a year has passed!
There the girl is happy and they don’t fight. The ex got back into shape and now goes to the gym together and has even started improving her grades in school.
Their home is tidy; I was there recently.
However, they only caused trouble when we all lived together. © Ideer/Overhead
My husband was denied access to the pool.
My husband stays at home with my four-month-old baby.
They refused to allow him to join the newborn swimming club, saying “Our mums will feel uncomfortable around you”. © Pikabu/OPEN
When I was working at the front desk of a gym, I was approached by a father and his daughter asking where they could change. I was obviously confused. I had to send them to an empty solarium as there were no family changing rooms available at the time. © Pikabu/Ananazig
My current wife had a three-year-old daughter when we first met. We became close quite quickly, and when she was about four years old, she even started calling me “Daddy”. I always made sure to treat her like my own child. He calls us both Dad, but when he’s with me and my wife, he calls him by his first name. Her real father is in and out of my stepdaughter’s life.
My stepdaughter texted me last night asking if I could pick her up while she was out with her biological father. When I arrived, her bio dad was holding her arm while she sat outside. She approached my car and informed me that she had fallen on her hand while playing with her skateboard, causing swelling, bruising, and difficulty moving.
I asked why her biological father didn’t call my wife. He replied: “I don’t think it’s that bad, it’s just dramatic.” Looking at me, my stepdaughter replied, “Dad, can we please leave? I’m in a lot of pain.” As she got into the car, I said to her biological father, “See, that’s why I’m her real father, not you.” I honestly fear for her well-being. I was the one who stayed with my daughter in the ER until one in the morning after she broke her arm. © Reddit/HopefulAd1737
When I arrived at the pool, I noticed two young girls, ages three and five, standing at the entrance to the lady’s shower, holding hands and expressing their fear of entering.
The shower has no door and their father is standing around the corner yelling, “Go ahead, don’t worry, ask any woman to turn on the shower.” That’s when I realized how inconvenient it is for dads because they can’t change with the kids and are often out of sight. © Cities/Pikabu
My wife and I have a daughter and I operate remotely. So I let my wife go back to work, part-time at first, when she started losing her mind on maternity leave. Meanwhile, our little daughter was growing up and requiring more care. I had to take more and more time off work.
Meanwhile, my wife’s career took off and she started begging me to let her work full-time. Despite my anger, I understood that I did not want to deny my partner this opportunity. So I took formal paternity leave.
The people around me split into two groups during the six months I was with the baby: many favored me, but some of my friends didn’t. But even I find it difficult to carry grocery bags and my baby, who is now about thirty kilos when we go for a walk. That’s why I believe I made the right decision.
Fatherhood is often portrayed through the lens of traditional roles and expectations, but the stories shared above offer a refreshing look at the true meaning of being a good father. These fathers defy the usual stereotypes and demonstrate love, commitment, and active involvement in their children’s lives in ways that go beyond the conventional. From taking on the role of stay-at-home parent to supporting their children’s aspirations, these fathers show that being present and emotionally available is just as important as any material contribution. Their actions speak to the value of nurturing and caring for their children, regardless of the societal pressures or judgments they may face.
The experiences shared point to the challenges many fathers face, from dealing with their partners’ postpartum depression to criticism for engaging in traditionally maternal roles. Yet these fathers continue to advocate and make decisions that prioritize the well-being of their children, even if it means deviating from societal norms or enduring hardship. They are an example of a modern father who is not afraid to break the mold and take on the full spectrum of responsibilities that parenthood brings.
Ultimately, these stories remind us that being a good father isn’t about perfection or conforming to a set of predetermined roles. It’s about being there for your children, supporting them in their ups and downs, and always putting their needs first. These fathers are redefining what it means to be a parent in today’s world – showing that love, dedication, and care transcends any gender expectations.