This post is dedicated to the dad who wakes up 6am in the morning to play dress up with his daughter, the dad that changes dirty diapers during early hours of the morning, and the dad that doesn’t mind being woken up with sloppy kisses or a kick from a restless toddler – to the dad that is not just a dad, but a friend, counsellor, playmate and yes the very important financier. 😉
We often forget to appreciate the dads of today. I think that they deserve more credit than we give them.
Things have changed! Modern society now gives dads more freedom to do what they want without getting judged, being criticised or even categorized for being a dad.
10 years back, it was the norm that dads worked and brought home the money, while mom stayed at home with the kids and did the chores. Dads-to-be had to stand outside the birthing room waiting to celebrate but now the dad-to-be is in the room holding his wife’s hand watching the miracle of a life being born.
After meeting many incredible dads this past year, I’ve noticed how the roles have swapped. Many are “work from home dads” and a few are even stay at home dads by choice – they stay at home watching the kids and do the housework. Let’s not forget the single dads who play the role of a mom and dad.
Credit: What to expect when you’re expecting
10 things modern dads do:
1. Change diapers
Although many still find this difficult to do, 80% of dads are now changing diapers on a daily basis even in public. This has become comedy hour between a father and child which includes messing of clothes and spraying daddy’s face.
2. Cook
I wish my husband could cook for me – mine doesn’t but I’ve seen many dads who share the cooking with their wives. Once in a while, it’s nice to get spoilt with someone else’s cooking. Many “Master Chefs” are in our own kitchens waiting to get discovered.
3. Gives mommy some me time
Co-parenting is important. It gives mom some free time to do her nails or catch up with friends. Well for my husband, co-parenting is teaching Kitana photography.
4. Shop alone
I’ve seen many dads shop alone with their kids at the mall and I wonder how they do it?! This is what happens when a kid shops with her father…
5. Play Dress up/Tea parties
My husband and daughter play dress up all the time. Kitana loves it when he paints her nails and uses her crown. It’s creating memories with your child in their comfort zone and there’s nothing wrong with this. After all, moms become superheroes/villains with guns and swords all the time….
6. Put baby to sleep
Whether it’s to feed the baby, change a dirty diaper or soothe them back to sleep… Dad is there humming his favourite song from Transformers.
7. Attempt to clean
Dads are now sharing the chores at home even though many forget to sweep under the couch…
8. Selfies
What’s a day without weird photos with your kid?!
9. Movie night
Many skip a guy’s night out for a family night in with a Disney movie that you watched 45 times already.
10. Chauffeur their kids
Whether it’s to drive around the block to make them sleep or driving the, to school daily. Dads have become “cool” driving around their minivans.
What does your husband do that’s funny or sweet? What makes your husband “the best dad ever”?
Hi, I’m Shan. I’m a wife, mom to 3 kids and a businesswoman who works from home and gets very little sleep at night. My days are filled with dirty diapers and toddler tantrums, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. I am in the Forbes 30 under 30 list for Forbes Africa 2019 and just recently launched my start-up – MomSays.
My husband does all of those things. It’s so nice to share the responsibility. I can’t imagine doing it all by myself.
Yes! Love this so very true! My hubby does all of these!
Lovely post! Love that pic of Kitana with the blue high heels!
Thank you. 🙂
An amazing post. I admire all the dads out there that help.. especially my beloved husband… who helps me with everything and when I thank him he says I don’t need to coz it’s his child too n he loves doing absolutely anything for him… and it’s a huge help for me…
That’s so sweet. It’s good to always let them know we appreciate them. Thanks for reading.
I’m so glad my husband is a “modern” dad. I can’t imagine late nights and diapers and feedings without him!
I love this modern dad movement. I foresee many families staying tied together because they love each other to make it work. I know I personally couldn’t ask for a better father for my children – he truly is a man of men. <3
This is a great list. My hubby does all of these things and I really appreciate it.
The pic of Kitana in heels makes me think of my red high heels as a kid. They were actually my aunts but I fell in love with them and despite being many times the size of my feet, became my clinky-clonky shoes (so named for the noise of the heel as it clopped down with my teeny feet in them). I miss those shoes and the little girl who wore them.
Mine used to tell the kids the best stories. He would come up with some of the craziest scenarios!
Sounds a lot like my husband! It definitely balances everything out.
HilLesha
So adorable! Dads are so funny when they are left alone with their kids! Most creative babysitters!
Looks like my husband is one of them! These dads are so cute!
I hope my future husband would also possess the qualities of a modern dad listed here haha. Especially on the changing of the diaper part and also cooking! My dad is definitely a modern dad.
Aww I love the pic of her in high heels. I remember when I was 5/6 I was trying to paint my nails and remembered my dad did them for me .
I’m thankful for my modern hubby too! He’s a great dad 🙂
My husband does one of these. 😉 My oldest son does them all with his daughter. 🙂
I love this post. My husband does it all and I love him for it.
My mom time is the little bit later my husband let’s me sleep once Matthew decides he has had enough sleep. The bottle making and feeding and nappy changing and all the little things he does to make life just easier for me. I agree that we dnt give dads enough credit for the things that they do.
This is a great post indeed. What a great list that modern dads do in these times. Times have definitely change and more fathers doing more because of moms also working. Thanks for sharing.
What a great post and I loved the photo’s. The first one should be framed on the wall with the hand!
I love this post. My husband did MOST of these things when our boys were growing up. I am sure he would have played dress up but not sure he would really want to. You have a beautiful family!
I’m happy to say that my other half does all these things around the house and with our son. He’s a domestic God and a great father.
I am so lucky to have an amazing husband and father! He does all of this and so much more!
My husband is definitely a modern dad. And yes, a very important financier. 😉 I love watching dads pushing strollers or chasing toddlers at the mall. Cute!
I’m so lucky with Chris. He cooks, cleans, and takes care of our boys. He has definitely been seen out in town with the baby in a carrier, and the preschoolers by his side. He’s super dad!
Love this post! My husband is definitely a hands-on Dad and it just warms my heart to see him do all of this and much more! Pinning and sharing 🙂
Such a sweet post! My hubby is definitely a modern dad! It makes me fall even more in love with him everyday. Stopping by from the learning to blog party 🙂
Love this! I will be sharing this on Sunday via my FB page…https://www.facebook.com/queenofthelandoftwigsnberries
Sweet list. Love #10. It is so important for dad to be present and invested. Modern dad or traditional dad.
YES! And the more of all this they do, the better. 😉
This is such a sweet post! Love it 😀 Kudos to all dads who is presents and involves on their children’s lives.
Oh I love this, what a sweet post!
Thank you! 🙂
My husband shares the load with me although i don’t work he still gives me a break from the mundane duties of cooking and cleaning every so often and i am ever so grateful for that. I never thought that it was possible but as he became a father and he experienced married life with children i guess his paternal genes kicked in. I taught him to cook but i must admit he is a better cook than i these days. But I would say that he is my modern day husband and father to my children but his mother doesn’t think its acceptable lol. But he is happy and as a family we are all happy i and that is all we care about.