An A-Z of what makes a great dad

Father’s Day is a time to honour dads, what makes a great dad, and the important role they play in our children’s lives. Every dad is different but just what does make a great dad? Here, fab fellow bloggers come together in an A-Z to share…

Me and my Dad are so close we speak every day. I know now see that bond developing between my husband and son and it’s so special. –  Jodie, Being Mrs Davies 

C for CONSISTENCY

If you say you’re going to do something with the children, make sure you do. They need routine and they need to know you will be there when they need them. – Kate, My Family Fever 

D for DAD

Being a father is the most important job a man can ever have. Being there to guide and support his children, being a friend, a confident, and being the wisdom that his children will one day take with them into their own families. – Andrea, Andrea Louise 

E for EQUAL

A dad isn’t a babysitter – he is the equal to the Mother and shouldn’t be belittled because he’s male. It’s a 50/50 equal partnership. – Beth, Twinderelmo

F for FUN

A great dad is one who loves to play with his kids and play what they love. Happy to play dolls or football, to dress up and have his nails painted as well as show them how to climb trees. – Polly, This Enchanted Pixie  

G for GENEROUS

My dad is always the one to help me out what ever I needed money was no object for him and my partner is the same to our daughter she doesn’t go without . Working all hours so she has everything. – Jessica, Beauties and the Bibs  

H for HUGS

There is nothing is more comforting than a strong but gentle daddy hug. Jenn – Chiling With Lucas   

I for IDOL

Being someone that my children look up to and admire, always setting the best examples of how our kids should behave as the grow up. – Chantelle, Mama Mummy Mum 

J for JOYFUL AND JUST

Got to have a happy dad that is fair and even handed, but full of life and fun. – Sally, Teddy Bears and Cardigans  

K for KINDRED SPIRITS

My baby girl and her daddy are like two peas in a pod, twinies, besties. They are both so much alike. – Kat, Eat Love Live London 

L for LISTENING

Sometimes we just need our parents to be able to listen to us without passing judgement. – Sian, Quite Frankly She Said 

M for MEMORIES

Taking the time to make special memories with their children that will long be treasured. – Jennifer, My Mummy’s Pennies 

N for NEVER TOO BUSY

A great dad is never too busy to give you their time. There’s nothing more precious or necessary than simple time. Kate, The Less Refined Mind

O for OH SO PROUD

There’s nothing that’ll melt your heart faster than the sight of a proud dad revelling in the everyday wonder of his kids. – Hannah, Hi Baby Blog

P for PATIENCE

We have four children three of whom are on the autism spectrum. Their dad shows them and has taught them the wonderful quality of patience. – Amanda, Raising The Rainbows 

Q for QUITE PROTECTIVE

A wonderful dad is one so protective and loving it brings them to tears. – Lizzie,  Firstooth 

R for ROLE MODEL

I always strive to be a role model to my son. I’m always thinking if my actions since becoming a dad as I want my son to know the rights from the wrongs. – Rich, Cash Savvy Tips 

S for SUPPORTIVE

No matter what your child wants to do with their life dad will always support them. Mine supported my swimming dreams as a child, then dancing and as an adult helped support me and hubby start our business and buy our house! – Chantele, Two Hearts One Roof 

T for TEACHER

A great dad (parent) needs to be able to teach, develop and educate their kid. Whether it’s softer skills like compassion and kindness or more practical skills like how to wire a plug or put up a shelf, a dad should be there to impart their knowledge. – Dave, The Dadventurer 

U for UNDERSTANDING

Especially useful from the teenage years onwards! – Lucy, The Parent Game

V for VERSATILE

Being versatile and able to adapt to all demands that children and family life throw at them. –  Elizabeth, Where Roots and Wings Entwine 

W for WRESTLING

I certainly pass over all the rough play to daddy and ensure he gets all the bundles and horsing around but it’s also for wealth as in knowledge – he can teach them things I don’t have the skills for like pitching tents and making a fire. – Claire, Emmy’s Mummy 

X for X-TREMELY GOOFISH

The best daddies are the ones who do what’s best for their kids and ignore anyone who tries to make them feel silly about it, whether that’s carrying the baby in a sling or wearing a pink shirt to work so your little boy can see that pink *is* for boys.  – Milla, Live Oxfordshire 

Y for YOUR LOVES

A good dad indulges their children’s loves – ours is a Disney loving dad who will watch all the Disney Princess films with his girls and enjoy all the thrill seeker rides at Walt Disney World Resort with his dare-devil boys! – Jane, Jane’s World

Z for ZZZs

A great dad helps facilitate sleep for all! It’s important both parents get plenty of sleep so when dad helps with night time feeds or with older children so mum can nap it’s a great help. Zoe, – My Mummy’s World

What do you think makes a great dad? Do you have anything you would add to this list? Do leave a comment and add your thoughts!

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54 comments

  1. The only thing I can really do as a dad is love my children. And tell them that I love them. If I told them how to rewire a plug then we’d all end up electrocuted.

  2. Great list although I am surprised that biggest input is from mums would of been nice if a few more dads had got invloved great idea 🙂

  3. What a lovely Father’s day post. I agree on consistency of attention and love. Not only when they feel like it, and this applies to us too 🙂

  4. What a lovely list of A-Z, I think being there and being supportive to your partner and family tops the list then everything follows suite

  5. This is a lovely idea for a blog post. Really enjoyed reading it. My daughters have a fab relationship with their daddy x

  6. What a lovely post. I love that you used wrestling for W because that’s my son’s favourite thing to do with his daddy 🙂

  7. He’s a good disciplinarian, he allows his kids to make mistakes, he’s open-minded, he spends quality time with his children and he leads by example.

  8. A great dad is a man who is there throughout, helping, loving, being supportive and helpful. My son’s dad wasn’t there, so I don’t know what a help that would’ve been – the man he is means it probably would’ve been harder to raise my son, so… you know!!

  9. Being a great dad is just being their for your child , spending time with them

  10. What a lovely post, its really made me smile! Just being there for your child makes you a good dad.

  11. Just like mums I think dads should just be themselves and make sure to make time for their children and family!

  12. I think being able to talk about anything, no matter how embarassing or big a problem

  13. Spending quality time with your children and not just providing material things

  14. The most important thing is time. Put everything else down/away and spend time with your child, even if it’s doing something you have no interest in.

  15. Great list here, and most importantly a great dad is someone who makes the time for their family

  16. This is really sweet list I think Dad’s are so important we should show our appreciation much more

  17. A dad that spends time with his family. I think dads didn’t spend enough time with their children when I was growing up in the 80s and 90s. People are very slowly realising that men want to work part-time and compressed hours to spend time with their families.

  18. This is fab. I think my dad is amazing and he is so reliable and trustworthy. I think that’s super important in a father 🙂

  19. A great dad is someone who is there to see his children through every milestone and decision in life

  20. Very sweet article. Being there through all life’s up and downs not just in childhood and to support their children’s decisions too.

  21. What I think makes a good Dad is understanding each childs needs & doing what he can to help them achieve their dreams.

  22. What makes a great dad is giving children time and making them know that they are loved

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