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Original poster

What are dads for?

34 replies

Daddster · 02/01/2008 11:29

The lovin' spoonful (obviously).
Keeping Mummy sane (e.g. taking the kids out to the play park on a Saturday morning to minimise crockery breakage resulting from a tough week).
Reminding Mummy that she is not a bad parent (or at least giving her some assurance that she is in no way as laughably incompetent as Daddy).
Keeping the peace at the in-laws.
The money, the money, the money .

Any other suggestions?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Maidamess · 02/01/2008 11:31

Making their wives still feel attractive and sexy (Its a long time since a builder whistled at me )

ToomanynewyearsROSElutions · 02/01/2008 11:32

can you email my dp and tell him all this please

dd666 · 02/01/2008 11:33

the back rubs for mommy when she had tough day!
the bad bits that make dcs cry
Nail cutting
Hair washing
Hair combing
Medicine giving
Putting to bed

mistletoemiggins · 02/01/2008 11:34

my dad as a child was

  1. playing games & sport
  2. helping make things
  3. helping with homework
  4. giving us money

now as an adult

  1. giving me advice & reassurance
  2. playing games & sport with grandchildren
  3. helping make things - grandchildren
  4. helping me fix things round house
  5. giving me money
sleepdeprivationandme · 02/01/2008 11:34

For doing fast running because mummy cant go so quickly, for throwing the balls because mummy cant throw so far, for making silly noises that kids find hysterical, for lifting the kids up so high they can touch the sky and for giving very good cuddles.

fireflyfairy2 · 02/01/2008 11:35

For making mammy smile when at 2am a little boy wanders into the room & daddy's face lights up like it's the middle of the day.

To support, encourage, love & nourish his family.

brimfull · 02/01/2008 11:36

being the bouncer at dd 16th birthday party on NYE

cooking fab dinners

setting up intricate train sets

watching shite on telly with dc's

ds,says "helping build things with me and doing hard work"

Maidamess · 02/01/2008 11:38

Oh, I forgot putting up marble run. I have a hole in my brain where this information needs to be.

Original poster
Daddster · 02/01/2008 11:43

Wow - do they still make those plastic marble-run things? You have stirred up a memory from deep down in my brain about purple, yellow and red plastic slides with tubes at each end!!

I can do the noises BTW - I can make a pig noise without opening my mouth!

OP posts:
baconeggnchips · 02/01/2008 11:45

mine took me trainspotting......yay

mistletoemiggins · 02/01/2008 11:49

mine used to kiss us goodnight & make silly noises on our faces - could hear my brother giggle & made me laugh knowing I was next

swimming with us & throwing us in the air

GrumpYULEhorsewoman · 02/01/2008 11:51

DH is a token male presence, occasionally (when not working his arse off). And he does nail-cutting because DD2 won't let anyone else near her with the clippers since the 'incident' with DD1...

My Dad is the wisest person I know, and the most influential person in my life. He is the rock that grounds us all - me, my brother and sisters, DH, BIL, grandchildren, even his own parents and brothers. He is all that is reasonable, intelligent and good and always has the right answers, whatever the question.

Hecate · 02/01/2008 11:51

Being a parent, forming 50% of the team
loving their children
supporting and being supported equally in return
appreciating and being appreciated

Hecate · 02/01/2008 11:52

dads are not an add-on

Original poster
Daddster · 02/01/2008 14:10

I share your sentiment 100%, Hecate, but being a FT worker means that although I am on the team I am not in any real sense 50% of it and I know it...

I wonder if it is possible to graduate from the first of GrumpYULEhorsewoman's daddies to the second one by dint of retirement or moving to working part-time?

OP posts:
Original poster
Daddster · 02/01/2008 14:17

dd666 - I had to hold our DCs when they had their injections, so they could go to Mummy when it hurt.

OP posts:
TellusMater · 02/01/2008 14:23

No! DH works FT and is definitely 50%.

And what's more, my husband is for the me stuff.

His dad role isn't primarily as a support to me. Bit that it comes so high on some lists...

mistletoemiggins · 02/01/2008 14:57

I would say my dad was 50% in effort & caring but not in time as he worked & mum didnt

Hecate · 02/01/2008 18:22

Working full time is part of your 50% Daddster, you nit. What can your family do without money? You work out there for the benefit of your family.

I think it's so sad that so many men don't know their true value in their family.

dd666 · 02/01/2008 19:54

lol i was writing my list when dp was watching! i get to do all the stuff that makes dd cry and did the jab holding by myself!
yest i made dp pin dd down so that i could cut her nails he wasnt impressed his eyes were filling up whilst she wailed like i were cutting her hands off!

anorak · 02/01/2008 19:57

For taking care of everyone while mummy has a mastectomy and then telling mummy he loves her just the same with one breast he is only sorry that she had to go through the trauma of losing a part of her body.

ILikeToMoveItMoveIt · 02/01/2008 20:00

Dads are just the best (but I am a daddy's girl )

When I was young he was the fun one.

When I was older and lived on my own, he was the first person I would turn to in a crisis.

I love by Dad xx

ChubbyShcotsBurd · 02/01/2008 20:10

Right now Daddy is for holding the wailing sore-tummy 5 month old while he writhes through the most miserable trapped wind.

He's also good for rubbing my back, buying chinese, playing the best games with the LO and generally being manly. My hero.

discoverlife · 02/01/2008 20:19

For being there for me and always cheering me up.
Being there for our rather large DS1 21yo who needs a man to talk to and be friends with.
Being there for our DD1 20yo, who still needs a man in her life who won't hurt her emotionally.
Being there for DS2 who thinks his Dad is the font of all wisdom except for cooking.

sweetgrapes · 03/01/2008 14:23

doing the bedtime story and tucking up in bed
swinging higher and faster than ANYONE
ds wants only dad (mum get away from me...)when he is restless in the middle of the night with a fever or something
best-est cuddles

and of course bringing home the bread n butter (among other things) and paying for my retail therapy!