My Husband As a Dad

By Thankful Moms

Family Man asked a few women out there: What about your husband/partner do you especially like about his role as a father?

These are their responses...

Recently I heard Harry Chapin's "Cat's in the Cradle” -- the tearjerker where the detached, indifferent father raises a son "just like him." This time, it made me smile because I knew that the role model for my three sons was my husband, Jonathan. As a father, he teaches them respect, sensitivity, good sportsmanship, and a love of family and learning. He has even taught them that men wash dishes. I couldn't be prouder than to say that my boys, "Grow up just like him."

-- Laurie B.

He's always there to catch our daughters when they fall, wipe their noses when they're oozing, and ease their worries when they are crying in the middle of the night. The point is, he's a dad (and husband) first and everything else is next.

-- Edye U.

I could go on and on, but here are the TOP 10 things I love about my husband being a dad:
1. He is always ready to play--even if the kids aren't!
2. He always knows the “right” thing to say -- he’s reasonable.
3. He is always cool, calm, and collected.
4. He is always giving 110 percent.
5. He is always up for a trip to Disneyland.
6. He is always positive (well, about 99.5 percent of the time).
7. He is always up for pancakes at Bob's Big Boy.
8. He is always willing to do the dirty work -- diapers, cleaning the grill for a party, doing the laundry, etc.
9. He is handy (he can put together toys).
10. He is SWEEEEEEEET!

-- Jackie F.

My husband is very handy around the house. It is a great comfort to me to know that he can fix just about anything that breaks. Growing up in a house without a dad, I really appreciate the worry that he takes off my shoulders whenever the washing machine overflows, birds make a nest in the eaves, or the pool lining rips. For the same reason, I appreciate him at night, as I am still a bit "afraid of the dark." After four kids and 11 years of marriage, I am confident that he will always be here for us. While it may sound old fashioned, he is a great provider and protector. Plus, he makes me laugh, makes a mean pancake, and still tells me I look good. I wish everyone were as lucky.

-- Elizabeth D.

When we first began talking about having kids it absolutely made me melt to have him whisper, "let's have a baby" and know that he truly meant it. When our son falls down, he runs to pick him up and wipe him off. When he's eating something, Daddy constantly worries that Joshua is going to choke. Bath time is daddy time, he changes every other diaper or pull-up and never complains. He encourages our son to take risks but never stands too far away. The thing I admire most about my husband is his commitment. His commitment to being the best daddy ever, to always be there for the important things, to always encourage and never discourage, to always love and protect his precious angels (even in the womb). It's nice to take stock every once in a while and remember what a blessing he is in our lives.

-- Amy J.

I love to see my husband, Harvey, with our daughters Jessica and Pamela enjoying themselves together. Even at the tender ages of 4 and 18 months, they enjoy listening to dad play the saxophone as they sing and dance along to familiar tunes. It is sheer joy watching them enjoy music together. My husband shows the girls that dads can really be fun.

-- Rosalind K.

Herman (daddy to Kenya and Kayla) devotes so much time and effort to his girls, from teaching them how to ride a bike to giving them baths every night. I am expecting another baby any day now and Herman ensures that the girls have dinner, baths and nightly stories, and most important, prayer time every single night. He is always up to date on what’s happening in my 7-year-old’s personal life (like she should have one). She talks to him all the time about things going on at school and in her life when she wouldn’t dare tell them to me. Where most men cannot be left with the kids for more than 2 hours, I have been able to leave my children with Daddy for 2 to 3 days at a time. I am truly grateful for a husband and father like Herman Lee.

-- Bobbie L.

Our children are our life. They have brought such joy into it. I know, especially with Easton, that life has been put into another perspective. The children look a lot like him, and act like him too. He is an amazing father and I see such pride and happiness in his eyes when they give him hugs and kisses, when they call for him. Especially when they run to him and throw their arms around his neck. He has sacrificed a lot for our children and me. Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a Daddy. Jason is truly a Daddy.

-- Stormy K.

I admire my husband for extending his 12-plus hour work day just so he can come home and see our daughter for bath and bedtime. Then he goes back out to finish his day, whatever the task may be. He won't let a day go by without seeing her, no matter what it takes.

-- Melissa C.

Robert is a dedicated father 100 percent of the time. He spends so much time with our daughter. His work schedule allows him to attend school functions. He is a huge part of Kaitlin's life. He simply is a big kid when he's with her. I am blessed to have a wonderful husband and a terrific daddy for Kaitlin.

-- Ashley R.

Doing acrobatic tricks with the kids and being a member of Laura's “burping club”.

-- Nadine L.

Here are my favorites (not in any order):
1. I love seeing his face light up when he looks at our girls.
2. He tries to include our daughters in whatever he is doing, explaining it step-by-step.
3. I love how sensitive he has become.
4. I love watching him read to them, play with them, cook for/with them.

-- Lauren M.

I love the way he plays with Sarah. For example, they have made up their own rough-housing games (one of Sarah's favorites is "stick like gluey") and he lets Sarah dress him up in her jewelry (of course he never lets me take a picture.

-- Stephanie L.

The one thing that sticks out most is the way my husband and daughter play together. Our daughter lets out a big belly laugh at just about anything my husband does -- playing horsy, tickling, play-boxing. Since I’m the parent who's constantly enforcing the rules and trying to teach her right from wrong, it's fun to watch my husband have a good time with her. As her mother, I often feel I have too many responsibilities to take care of (laundry, cleaning, and dinner) to just have silly time the way my husband does. But the balance between my husband and I are what makes for a happy kid.

-- Heather F.

I guess watching my husband roll around on the ground with the kids like a big bear or lion with his cubs. They abuse him and love it and he loves it right back.

-- Carolyn B.

My favorite thing about my husband as a dad is how goofy he becomes. Whether he is delighting our baby boy by imitating his thumb-sucking and blanket-biting antics or acting as a human gymnasium for our 4-year-old daughter, dear old dad can always be counted on for FUN, FUN, FUN!

-- Robin F.

My favorite thing about my husband as a dad is how he teaches Hannah how to be funny. She has a great sense of humor and it's all because of him.

-- Jill H.

The way he makes our kids smile when he takes toy dinosaurs out of their ears. He makes these roaring sounds as if there is something inside their head trying to get out and then hides a small dinosaur in his hand and makes believe that he is pulling it out. They think that the dinosaur has been inside of them and just now has made an appearance (or are they smarter than we think and are just playing along since it is so cute?).

-- Dina B.