10 Dads Whose Unique Parenting Approaches Deserve a Standing Ovation

Fathers have a knack for surprising us, whether it’s with their sense of humor or the unique ways they support their kids. Sometimes, their parenting style is unconventional, but it often comes from a place of love and creativity.

• I had just given birth to my baby girl when my hospital room door flew open, and my dad loudly announced, “I’m officially a grandfather!” Before I could even respond, a woman I didn’t recognize walked in right behind him. Confused and anxious, I whispered, “Who is this?” He laughed, saying, “Meet your aunt Clara. I invited her as a surprise!”
  I’d only seen Clara in old family photos, so meeting her face-to-face shocked me. Soon I discovered she was incredible—patient, kind, and knowledgeable, helping me handle motherhood smoothly. Later, Dad admitted, “I knew you’d need someone since your mom passed away, so I begged Clara to come and paid for her entire trip.” Now I can’t imagine going through this without her.

• My girlfriend’s mom seemed to like me, but her dad barely spoke a word all evening. After dinner, he suddenly grabbed my arm and dragged me into the bathroom, locking the door behind us. He said sternly, “Prove to me that you’re a real man.”
  Before I could even react, he handed me a plunger and pointed to a clogged toilet. I blinked, stunned, as he continued, “A real man isn’t afraid of a dirty job.” Mortified but determined, I plunged away until it was clear. When we emerged, he patted my shoulder approvingly and said, “Welcome to the family.”

• I was about 16, and I was complaining about not being pretty, or skinny enough and how I hated my looks. I was expecting my dad to sympathize, or say that I’m beautiful. Nope.
  My normally mild-mannered dad was mad. He worked with burn victims at the time, and told me, “They would give anything to look normal — human, even. Don’t you dare complain about having an average face.” It sounds harsh, but it has really helped me through the years. © GroundbreakingMood3 / Reddit

• My dad told me guacamole was made from squished frogs. I refused to even try it for years. Thanks, dad. © walkingcarpet23 / Reddit

• There are these spiky caterpillars that are common where I grew up. They’re poisonous and painful if you touch one. I was riding my bike in the driveway, and I ran one over. My dad saw, and he warned me that the acid in their spikes would flatten my bike tire. I didn’t believe him, and I ran over a few more to spite him.
  Then the next day, my tire was flat! I told my mom and my brother, and they were astonished. When dad got home from work, I was telling him about my tire. I told him he was right, and I had even been warning my neighbors and friends about running them over, so they didn’t have to fix their tires too. He starts crying, laughing and admitted he let the air out of my tire. © WaitOkay / Reddit

• Me and my dad have never ever connected before. We are just on two different pages. But, a few months ago, he gave me the best advice I’ve ever been given. It was exactly what I needed. I had this breakup that left me devastated. I went through the motions, but inside I was dead.
  I went to my dad and asked him what to do, and he said, “Before your mother, I was engaged to another woman. I remember sitting outside her house one night, waiting for her to come home, when I realized she doesn’t want to be with me. If she did, she would have been by my side. That made moving easy.”
  And like that, I realized that this woman who had been playing games and sending mixed signals for months just DIDN’T WANT TO BE WITH ME. So I moved on. © Unknown author / Reddit

• I convinced my twin daughters that there were no more diapers in the world; and because of said shortage, is why they had to learn to go potty on the toilet. There were many tears, but after two days I got them trained at the same time. © Desdraftlit / Reddit

• My dad does my car maintenance/repair. He installed brake pads and my car will randomly start squeaking when I brake. I’ve brought it up to him, and he’s “fixed” it twice.
  Anyway, I bring it up again, and he tells me he ’fixed’ it. Great. I get in my car, and my radio is up all the way. It really scared me.
  I get home and shoot him a text asking why he was listening to my radio so loudly. He replied, “I don’t know what’s wrong with your brakes. Next time you hear it, just turn your music up. Problem solved.” © Unknown author / Reddit

• My dad once sent me a text that just said: “Your mother has left me.” Turned out she had gone to the cinema with her friend, and he wanted me to ring him because he was bored. © Unknown author / Reddit

• When my daughter was born, and I was looking at her in her little bed, my Dad said, “This little girl is going to think you’re superman. In her eyes, you can do no wrong, so do right by her.” I try to make her proud every day. © ImANephson / Reddit

Dad jokes are practically a requirement for fatherhood, bringing laughter (and a few groans) to any conversation. If you’re looking to add some of the best ones to your collection, this article has you covered.