What is fatherhood? What does it mean to be a father? It is impossible to answer these questions in just one way. Fathers play such an important role in a child’s life, providing an abundance of love, support, and involvement. Becoming a father is one of the most important and fulfilling jobs in the world, and once you have experienced it, there’s nothing that can compare.

For Father’s Day this year, Mom’s Choice reached out to dad bloggers to ask them the very important question: “What does it mean to be a father?” Keep reading to discover all of their responses that are sure to pull on your heartstrings and make you want to celebrate Father’s Day every day!

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“Fatherhood has transformed my outlook on life, my hopes and dreams for the future, and how I want to spend my time. I took a step back from my straight-lined career trajectory and tidied up my life so I could be more present with my children, be emotionally available, and focus on what really matters.”

—Tyler Moore
Blogger, The Tidy Dad | 3 Children
Blog | Instagram

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“Fathers put others’ needs before their own. They are willing to sacrifice their own comfort for the comfort of their family. Fathers should preside as equal partners with their spouses in the home. They are to protect their family from dangers. They are to provide for the needs of their spouses and family. Fatherhood is the pathway for boys to become men and to raise above themselves and achieve their greatest potential.”

—Ben Lam
Blogger, Raw living foods | 4 Children
Website | Instagram

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“To be a father means that no matter how young or old you are, you are always there for your kids. It doesn’t mean that you always agree with them, but they know that you are there to love them and care for them in the best and healthiest way that you know-how. Although this will look different depending on what stage of life they are in, you are always their dad.”

—Beau Coffron
Blogger, Lunchbox Dad | 3 Children
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

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“There is nothing like ‘being a dad’. Our greatest joy comes from watching our children thrive. When my 2nd child (daughter) was diagnosed with diabetes at age 3 in 1992, and then my youngest (son) would be diagnosed at age 13 in 2009, I could not sit idly by and not try to help. My mantra of “just don’t do nothing” became my guiding light. Door after door opened as we continued to advocate for those living with this disease and my passion became an 80-100 hour week concentration to make a difference. I created DiabetesDad.org and (with a mom from Texas) created GetDiabetesRight.org to help advocate and spread the word about how others could help. We fought for new laws to be passed across the United States starting with Reegan’s Rule in North Carolina for diabetes awareness and more recently, we fight for the cost of Insulin prices to be fair so EVERYONE can have access. Margaret Mead once wrote, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” I, along with millions of my closest friends in the diabetes world/community, try to live that every day.”

—Tom Karlya
Blogger, DiabetesDad | 3 Children
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

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“To me, becoming a dad gave me a purpose and I realised it’s the greatest honour in life for me. Before having a child you only HAVE TO look out for yourself… once a child arrives you will never be the number 1 thought again. Every decision, every bit of my body and mind thinks about my girls and looking after them.

I try every single day to make new memories, and make sure they go to bed every evening knowing their daddy loves them unconditionally and that no matter what’s going on we will be there to listen and look after them! I didn’t realise how much I learned from my own father until becoming a dad and it made me realise he taught me so much just by his actions! ❤

I love the quote “ My father didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.” This only hit home to me after dad died. He was as proud of me for getting my degree as he was that I went off to Music college for a year out after. Full support always!❤❤❤

That’s what being a dad looks like to me! … the best job in the world!”

—Micheál Brennan
Blogger, DonegalDaddy | 3 Children
TikTok | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

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“I think of my role as a dad as a very special opportunity. It’s a sacred role I get to play in the lives of our kids. Every day I get the chance to help stoke the fires of their imaginations and construct the foundations of their sense of priorities in life. If I’m able to instill a tiny bit of childhood wonder into their core – a tiny bit they’re able to hold onto their entire lives – then that’s pretty special. And if I can set them down a path of always finding things interesting, being nice to people, and pursuing the things that make them happy – then I’ll consider that a job well done. It’s a special privilege to be a part of a child’s life, and it means everything. It’s what it’s all about.”

—Ryan Billingsley
Blogger, Dad Suggests | 2 Children
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

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“A role model, a protector, and most importantly someone they can trust.”

—Kaino Pang
Instagram Blogger | 1 Child
Instagram

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“To me being a father means taking on the responsibility of doing whatever it takes to give your children the best childhood you can give them. It means being involved from the very beginning and showing them and telling them how much you love them. It means thinking about how your own actions impact and influence them and it means empowering them to be able to grow and make their own decisions eventually. I’ve been blessed by God to be a father and take my responsibility very seriously.”

—Michael Finlay
Blogger, This is Fatherhood | 2 Children
Website | Instagram | Facebook

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“For me, being a father means having unconditional love for my child and raising it responsibly. It means laughing with her, crying with her, comforting her and giving her security. For me it means many unforgettable moments that take a place in my “life gallery.” From her birth, to riding a bike for the first time, and finally hearing for the first time: I love you dad. Being a father changed my life. For me it means wanting to make this world a better place so that my child can one day live in this better world. All of my values ​​and beliefs have been aligned with the well-being of my child. For me it is the best experience of my life. I am grateful that we live in a time when two men can also experience the happiness of being a father. My husband and I have decided to live visible in order to introduce our life model into normality.”

—Michael Hilscher
Instagram Blogger | 1 Child
Instagram

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“To be able to live my lifelong dream of starting my own family and to be able to invest all my love into my daughter is such a blessing. Our relationship exceeds my wildest dreams, my daughter is growing until the most caring human and I could not be more proud. My role now is to ensure she is filled with love first and foremost, values and given as meany opinions in love in order for her to become the individual that she is and flourish with pride.”

—Keman Allen
Instagram Blogger | 1 Child
Instagram

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“I think once Erin came into my life, I’ve had so many self-reflective moments. The reason for this, I think, is that image you have of yourself in your mind changes. It happens a few times in your life, some are by your own doing and other times that change is from an external force.

Let’s be honest, you’ve probably been cultivating that image of yourself from your teens on top of that. “I’m a sporty, outgoing, musical, fitness fanatic…” or whatever the case might be. Change is hard sometimes.

I was thinking back on all that I have done, traveled, experienced, accomplished, and achieved in my life so far. I feel grateful, fortunate, really lucky, and proud when I look back. Honestly, it all pales in comparison, my greatest accomplishment is Erin.

I love being her Dad, I love the craic we have and that she’s a little messer. I’m grateful that we have a great connection and that she feels safe in my arms. I love the way she says “Dad” and I feel so lucky that I get to see all her achievements & milestones. Working from home has its perks.

I’m sure every parent feels the same but watching her crawl, talk and now walk fills my heart with such love and pride. All I want to do, as best I can, is give Erin every avenue to experience all aspects of life just like my parents did for my brother and me.

I could go on and on, but I think what’s struck me is that everything before Erin I can get back to in some way. In time, in some capacity, I can go back to old hobbies or to doing the things I used to do before having a baby. I still have my own life to live. And don’t get me wrong there are things I still want to do and achieve in my own life outside of just being a parent.

However, time waits for no man, I will not get back these moments when she’s small and being aware of that is important. Erin seems to be growing up and turning from a baby into a little girl so bloody quickly it has me questioning Greenwich mean time.

I just try and soak in all this time with Erin and store it all in my memory bank.

Because she’ll realize soon, I’m not cool and won’t want to hang out with me.”

—Rob Armstrong
Blogger, The Regular Dad | 1 Child
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

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“First, I am grateful for my wife and the opportunity given to me to be her partner in this parenthood adventure. Carrying the title as ‘Dada’ in our house means so much. My childhood home was fatherless, but I had so many great examples of fathers that I’ve never forgotten their positive impacts on me. That is what I recognize is my greatest responsibility as a father, be impactful in my children’s life positively. Being a father has made me love my wife more and gives me opportunities to show my son’s how important she is in my life and how I hope they treat her, women and their potential future partners . Fatherhood has given me a significant boost in identity and purpose in life that I absolutely treasure and enjoy. In summary, being a father means:
1.) Being a reliable and loving partner.
2.) Taking responsibility of and understanding your impact on your children.
3.) Giving more time than just words.”

—Patrick Tafua
Instagram Blogger | 2 Children
Instagram | Twitter

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“To me, parenting is an honor. We had to do IVF, so it wasn’t so simple to be a dad. Being a dad means impact. The ability to add and impact my kids with love, affection and empower them for their future. It has changed me to be more me, more love and more myself.”

—Eli Weinstein
Therapist & Podcaster, EliWeinsteinLCSW | 2 Children
Website | Instagram

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“That saying that anyone can be a father but not everyone can be a dad, is so true. As a dad you immerse yourself into your child’s life, realising that your world and that of your child/ren have merged. Your routine adapts to your child’s and your make it work. Best part is that you don’t mind, you live for it!”

—Emanuel Kelly-Loulié
Blogger, Two Dads And A Kid | 1 Child
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

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