MEMBER SUBMITTED DAD STORIES

First baby, zero clue what I’m doin. Tried to rock him to sleep and ended up rockin myself into a nap. Wife found both of us snorin.

Got three teens. Every morning drive’s like a talk show – arguments, laughs, deep questions – all before 7:30 a.m.

My little girl helps me in the garden. She plants seeds upside down, waters the dirt, sings to the tomatoes. And somehow they grow anyway.

Hockey dad here. 4 a.m. practices, coffee in hand, freezing my butt off. My boy’s out there skatin his heart out.

Took my son out on the lake for the first time. He asked if we were gonna catch a shark. I said, ‘Buddy, this is Iowa.’

My daughter’s 8 and already milkin before school. Says she wants her own cows one day. Proud don’t even cover it.

Helped my kid with his math homework. They’re teachin it all weird now. Ended up watchin YouTube tutorials together. Learned somethin too.

My 14-year-old started a band in our garage. Sounds like a raccoon fightin a lawnmower, but I’m their biggest fan.

Raised my own, now helpin raise theirs. When my grandson calls me ‘Papa’ and grabs my hand, I feel 30 again.

At my daughter’s soccer game, I’m the snack dad. Got oranges, juice boxes, wipes, and Band-Aids like it’s a mobile clinic.

Built my son a mini dirt bike from scrap parts. He wiped out, got up, said, ‘Let’s try again.’ That’s the spirit I hope he keeps forever.

Took all three kids to Walmart by myself once. Never again. Felt like herdin caffeinated cats. But we made it out alive.

Wake the kids early Saturdays to watch the sunrise. They complain every time, but when that light hits, they just stare.

Been married 15 years. Still learnin how to be a good husband and a dad. Some nights I fail at both, some nights I nail it.

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

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

I yell ‘good hustle!’ more than I ever thought I would. Little league season’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.