40 Pics Of Dads Being Extra Wholesome That Are Bound To Warm Your Heart (New Pics)

In a world where many fathers are absent, growing up with one who enjoysfatherhoodis a blessing. Although people often emphasize how many absent fathers there are in the U.S., this time, we’re focusing on the ones who stay and enjoy it so much they almost shout it from the rooftops.Today, we’ve got you a collection of the most wholesome dad posts from the Dadditsubreddit. New dads, veteran dads, girl dads, boy dads,toddler dadsand dads to teens – you’ll find all kinds of representation of fatherhood here. But with one thing in common: all heart-melting and wholesome.We’ve also reached out to parent coach for dads Bryce Mathern, LPC. He kindly agreed to tellBored Pandamore about how fathers are defying societal expectations more and more and how dads can fight misconceptions about fatherhood. Read his expert insights below!More info:Wholehearted Dads|FacebookThis post may includeaffiliate links.

Today, we’ve got you a collection of the most wholesome dad posts from the Dadditsubreddit. New dads, veteran dads, girl dads, boy dads,toddler dadsand dads to teens – you’ll find all kinds of representation of fatherhood here. But with one thing in common: all heart-melting and wholesome.

We’ve also reached out to parent coach for dads Bryce Mathern, LPC. He kindly agreed to tellBored Pandamore about how fathers are defying societal expectations more and more and how dads can fight misconceptions about fatherhood. Read his expert insights below!

More info:Wholehearted Dads|Facebook

This post may includeaffiliate links.

Child’s drawing labeled as ‘safe,’ shared by a dad, depicting three smiling faces in bed.

Gone are the days whenfatherswould sit on the sofa with a beer in their hand instead of playing with their kids. Today, dads are communicating with their kids beyond replying with that thumbs-up emoji only. Many want to be better fathers than the ones they had or didn’t have at all.In 2023, 83% percent of American dadstold Pewthat being a father is either the most important or one of the most important aspects of their identity. In that same survey, thedadssaid they prioritize honesty, ethics, and hard work as the most important traits to pass on to their children.

In 2023, 83% percent of American dadstold Pewthat being a father is either the most important or one of the most important aspects of their identity. In that same survey, thedadssaid they prioritize honesty, ethics, and hard work as the most important traits to pass on to their children.

Sunset painting by a dad, showcasing a rewarding artistic expression with vibrant purple and orange hues.

Text from a dad humorously comparing toddlers to Pokémon, highlighting funny parenting insights.

We reached out to a parent coach for dads, Bryce Mathern, LPC, who helps men become more present and connected in theirparentingefforts. According to him, there aren’t many resources for dads who want to become better fathers. “I think that much of the parenting information out there is directed towards women and comes from women,” he observes. “This often leaves out a clear understanding of how it is different for men in raising children.““For many moms, they are with their kids after having nurtured them intheir bodiesfor nine months and have a much deeper cellular connection,” Mathern notes. “This is a good thing because moms are often protective of their children. Dads offer more challenges and less safety for their kids' development,” the parent coach explains.

“For many moms, they are with their kids after having nurtured them intheir bodiesfor nine months and have a much deeper cellular connection,” Mathern notes. “This is a good thing because moms are often protective of their children. Dads offer more challenges and less safety for their kids' development,” the parent coach explains.

Father bonding with child in a comic strip, illustrating a dad’s rewarding role in parenting.

Dads with kids in various heartwarming moments, highlighting the rewarding aspects of fatherhood through playful and caring interactions.

Dad documenting years with daughter in hallway, showing the rewarding journey of fatherhood.

Mathern clarifies that children need both protection and to be challenged, but says that there’s this common misconception that dads are often not protective enough. “I get a sense that dads get represented as irresponsible or inattentive when in reality we often trust the capacity of our children to be safe and make good decisions,” he explains.

Indeed, that same Pew surveyfoundthat most fathers are more likely to feel judged for their parenting decisions than their spouses or partners.

Drawing of stick figures on red paper with the phrase “You’re one in a million!” written below, highlighting a dad’s sentiment.

Book cover of “There Are Dads Way Worse Than You” by Glenn Boozan with a comedic illustration of fatherhood.

Beaded bracelet with colorful letters spelling “World Best Mediocre Dad” on a beige surface.

Mathern thinks that the role of a good father is to challenge his children and help them gain independence. “I think we see this in children, adolescents and young adults today. I believe kids need more challenges to feel their ability to land on their feet so to speak and build the confidence [so] that they can do things well. This is what good fathers do for their children.”

Child dressed as Costco sample employee, smiling with tray of candies, highlighting the rewarding job of being a dad.

Wholesome dad tweet about humorous toddler truths, featuring a list of parenting insights and funny facts from a father’s perspective.

Baby’s hand gripping dad’s finger, showcasing a tender moment of fatherhood and connection.

Although cultural attitudes about what a good father is have shifted dramatically in the past decades, there’s still a long way to go. Mathern says that the engaged father ‘movement’ is currently ‘under the radar.’ “There is still a lot of intolerance against men who want to be better dads,” he observes. “The societal pushback says men who nurture and care for their children are effeminate or lacking in real masculinity.”

Child in a tan outfit and green boots looking at snow-covered playhouses in a forest.

Sign on brick wall reading “New Mom or Dad,” highlighting rewarding job of being a dad.

Dad with baby wrapped in a gray carrier, showcasing the rewarding job of being a dad.

Dad humor tweet about daycare expenses and viruses, highlighting the rewards and challenges of being a dad.

Yoda tired, caption humorously relates parenting to answering endless questions. Wholesome dad moments.

Smiling toddlers, one in a plaid shirt, the other in a vest, showcasing the rewarding joy of being a dad.

When clients come to Mathern, for many of them, parenting itself isn’t really the challenge. It’s more often their own limitations in how they show up in relationships. “Our culture often limits boys and men in their relational development,” he explains.“This is the real problem for most of the men I work with. The exciting shift towards being an engaged father is that men are forced to develop the skills they didn’t know before they became fathers. This is a cultural revolution because it is these cultural constraints that have maintained many of the challenges for women and children being marginalized in our society.”

“This is the real problem for most of the men I work with. The exciting shift towards being an engaged father is that men are forced to develop the skills they didn’t know before they became fathers. This is a cultural revolution because it is these cultural constraints that have maintained many of the challenges for women and children being marginalized in our society.”

Child in white toy car by a Christmas tree, representing wholesome dad moments.

Child playing on a small indoor slide, colorful toys around, highlighting a wholesome moment in parenting.

Man in bright outfit with orange beret, glasses, and suspenders, showcasing joy and expressing the rewarding role of being a dad.

Today, millennial dads spend three times more time with their kids than their own fathers did. In Mathern’s view, every new generation of dads shows up for their kids more and more. “Being in the protector/provider role is not just about making sure there is food on the table. For many dads (and this cuts across political lines), they want to be good fathers.”

A basket with two toilet rolls and a container, resembling a playful face, showcasing dad’s creativity.

A stick figure poking something with text: “C’mon, do something,” illustrating a dad’s humorous moment.

A backyard with a large wooden playground ship, surrounded by trees and grass, showcasing a dad’s rewarding creativity.

Loft bed with climbing wall and rope, showcasing a dad’s rewarding creativity in making a fun play area for kids.

Text message from a child expressing love and missing their dad, showing that being a dad is rewarding.

Child in a blue dinosaur costume holding a pumpkin bucket, standing at a blue door during Halloween.

With masculinity becoming a more divisive topic in our culture, Mathern also worries that new lines of critique toward masculinity might get in the way of fathers connecting to their children. But he remains optimistic: “I’m still of the belief that fathers who feel a deep connection to their children are not going to shift out of that to be more stoic and detached. The Genie is out of the bottle, so to speak.““I realize I have a limited view because the fathers that come to me are not the ones with more traditional parenting values,” Mathern adds. “Still, I am quite positive about where fathering in our culture is currently going.”

“I realize I have a limited view because the fathers that come to me are not the ones with more traditional parenting values,” Mathern adds. “Still, I am quite positive about where fathering in our culture is currently going.”

Inflatable igloo with colorful lights in a cozy living room, showcasing the rewarding job of being a dad.