Bored Panda got in touch with relationship expert and father-of-two, Dan Bacon, to hear about what qualities make dads good role models for their children. Dan, the founder of The Modern Man, said that practically everyone will have a different opinion on this, and it's "based on what kind of dad they would have preferred when growing up, or what kind of dad they’d like to be, which could be based on their own father or ideas on how to be a better father."
However, he shared with us the personal qualities that he has which he believes sets a good example for his daughters "in terms of their own behavior and what to expect from a man when they grow up and begin dating."
In short, Dan stays true to his word, is very open and honest with his family, keeps his emotions under control, and strives to be confident and ambitious.
- "I love people for who they are, rather than expecting them to think, behave or act like me. This allows people to be themselves around me, rather than having to put on an act.
- I keep promises. This is something I naturally do, but it has the positive effect of being someone they can rely on.
- I love their mother (my wife) genuinely and always support her and work with her in the relationship, rather than against her. This is only truly possible if a man truly loves the woman he is with and wants to be with her. It’s not something that can be faked for a long time.
- I don’t hide my feelings of love and openly say, 'I love you' to my daughters and wife, which in turn, creates an environment where they can say it without feeling embarrassed or shy."
The dad continued:
- "I don’t get angry or lose control of my emotions if my daughters or wife for that matter, aren’t behaving perfectly or exactly how I want. Instead, they sense that I prefer when they behave better, which then makes them want to do that. I don’t force them to do it, so they do it out of love.
- I have big goals and am constantly working towards them, but still make time for my wife and daughters. Since they don’t feel left out or ignored, they continue to respect the fact that I have goals, am working hard towards them and need space and time to do that.
- I am confident around them, other people and in any situation we encounter, which then makes them feel safe and protected. My daughters have been able to experience what it’s like to be around a man who is respected by others, rather than looked down upon, picked on or bullied due to him being insecure or soft. As a result, they will likely prefer more confident men in future."
Dan stressed that a man doesn't have to have all of the qualities that he does if he doesn't want to. "That’s the kind of person I am and as a result, it may result in my daughters wanting to find a man who also approaches them and life in that way."
The ‘Rad Dad’ Instagram account has been enjoying some wild success online. Currently, over 1.8 million people follow the page so they get the freshest and cheesiest dad memes in their feeds. The account posts new pics practically every single day, so there’s almost always something for everyone.
Being a dad—especially a good one—can mean a lot of different things for everyone. Some families value gentleness and empathy over everything else; others believe that quiet and industrious stoicism is the way to go. However, whatever your personal thoughts on the matter might be, what lies at the core of fatherhood is spending quality time with the kids.
Dr. Jeremy Davies, from the Fatherhood Institute in the United Kingdom, told Bored Panda earlier that it’s time with their parents that children need more than anything else.
"And time can be hard to find, if you’re focused on earning money—which is part of what you need to do as a parent, but only part of it. So finding time when you’re out at work is the biggest challenge," he explained to us.
Dr. Davies stressed that new dads should strive to organize their lives so they get to do "a good chunk of the hands-on caring" early on. Getting “stuck in” and helping out with childcare is the way to go.
"If that’s tough because of the job you do, maybe there are ways you can tweak your working week to free up more time? If not, and that feels like a problem, maybe you need to think about a different career?" the Fatherhood Institute representative suggested that dads consider prioritizing spending time with their families over their careers.
Helping out your partner with childcare and chores is vital. "Don’t hang back like she’s the boss. Men are biologically primed to look after children, just like women are, and practice makes perfect. If mum seems better at this stuff, it’s almost certainly because she does more of it. The more you do the better you get,” the expert told Bored Panda that dads definitely shouldn’t be afraid to help out.
Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts: you have to carve out the time necessary to change nappies, bathe your kids, put them to bed, and sing or read to them before bed. However, the rewards are definitely worth it.
"That’s how you’ll build the bond with your baby, and from that, you’ll build a wonderful, lifelong relationship with him/her."
Dad jokes tend to be either loved or loathed. And they’re actually a pretty global phenomenon. Usually, they’re awkward, ridiculous gags that can make folks (especially the younger generations) cringe. At the same time, they’re clever, pun-tastic, and can be incredibly original. Above everything, they’re pretty darn neutral: it’d be quite a feat to find a dad joke that insults anyone.
