MEMBER SUBMITTED DAD STORIES

Told my kid if he behaved at the dentist we’d get ice cream. Cost me twelve bucks and a brain freeze but hey—clean teeth.

Yelled at my teen last week over somethin dumb. Went to his room later, sat down, told him I messed up. Dads gotta own it too.

She’s fearless. Climbs every tree in the yard. I hover like a fool tryin not to yell. She jumps down laughin every time.

House is quiet now. Both kids grown. Still catch myself peekin in their rooms outta habit.

My kid’s not the star player. He’s the backup lineman who still gives 110 every snap he gets. That hustle’s all I care about.

Sat through a two-hour dance recital to see my 4-year-old on stage for 38 seconds. Worth it.

Tried makin dinner for the family. Set off the smoke alarm. My daughter clapped and said, ‘Yay Daddy’s cookin!’ so I’m callin it a win.

Her kids call me by my first name. That’s fine. Long as they still call when they need somethin fixed.

My 2-year-old says ‘no’ to everything. Even stuff he wants. Kid’s negotiatin like he’s got a lawyer.

Raised three kids without Google or YouTube. Just winged it and prayed. They turned out fine. Maybe better than I did.

Rooster crows, coffee brews, baby cries. Sun ain’t even up yet. That’s my alarm clock now.

Dad passed last year. Still set a chair for him at Thanksgiving. My boy asked why. I told him, ‘He’s still here, just quieter.’

How’s it possible one baby uses more wipes than there are people in my town?

Dropped my daughter off for college. Watched her disappear past security. Stood there til I couldn’t see the top of her head anymore.

Let my boy steer the tractor on my lap today. Crooked rows, perfect memory.

Split custody ain’t easy. Got one couch, one TV, and one happy kid who don’t care what’s missin. We just build forts outta boxes.

Fishin with a 6-year-old teaches patience like nothin else. We spent 3 hours and caught one boot. He still called it a good day.

My teen asked for a raise in his allowance. I said, ‘You get a raise when your grades do.’ He walked away mutterin ‘corporate greed.’

Signed up to help with the school bake sale. Showed up with store-bought cookies and a guilty conscience.

Caught my kid singin Morgan Wallen in the shower. Off-key but pure joy. Made me smile all day.

First flight with a baby. Brought toys, snacks, bottles. Still ended up walkin the aisle for two hours apologizin to strangers.

Pipes froze, power went out. We bundled up in the living room and told stories by flashlight. Kids said it was ‘the best night ever.’

I yell ‘good hustle!’ more than I ever thought I would. Little league’s like a second job but those smiles hit different.

Took my grandkid to the same lake my dad took me. Same smell of pine, same sound of water. Time’s weird, man.

My 10-year-old thinks he’s a DJ now. Every ride he hijacks my Bluetooth. I roll my eyes but truth is, I love hearin what makes him happy.