I grew up with a father who provided well. We had great experiences and a level of comfort that I am genuinely grateful for. But that came at a cost. His time. He was around for the big sporting moments, but there were gaps in the everyday stuff. The conversations, the emotional support, the life lessons you do not realise you need until later. His life was busy, social, and full, just not always present in the way I now understand fatherhood to be. Because of that, my approach as a dad is very different. I prioritise time. Teaching. Playing. Learning together. Being there not just physically, but emotionally. What this has taught me is something important. There is no single formula for being a good dad. Fatherhood shows up in different ways, and it needs to adapt to the character of the child in front of you, not some ideal version in your head. So I am curious. 🤔 What are the biggest learnings you have had about your own parenting style? 🤔 Do you actively notice the areas that need work, as well as the values and behaviours that are non negotiable for you as a parent? Keen to hear your reflections.

A lesson I’ve recently learned is that parenting a toddler does not come with breaks. We have been on holiday with family and my first instinct was to relax and put my feet up. But parenting does not follow that same rhythm. It is ongoing and even small deviations quickly lead to chaos. Children, especially toddlers, thrive on structure, routine, and clearly defined boundaries. Even when the setting changes, they still need consistency from us. In many ways, the more relaxed the environment, the more important those boundaries become. I am curious how other dads handle this 🧐 👉Do you loosen rules on holidays or try to keep routines the same? 👉Have you noticed behaviour shift when structure slips? 👉What boundaries are non negotiable for you even when away from home? 👉How do you balance being present and relaxed while still holding the line? Would love to hear what has worked and what has not especially with toddlers.

We all carry traits that were shaped by the way we were raised. Some lessons stay with us for life, and without even realising it, we begin passing them on to our own children. One trait I am especially proud of is respect. It was something my parents drilled into me and my siblings from a young age. It shaped how we carried ourselves, how we spoke to people, and how we approached the world. In a time where genuine respect is becoming less common, I want my daughter to see it lived out daily. One simple rule I hold onto, for example, is calling someone on their birthday. Not a message. Not a tag. A call. To me, that call shows appreciation, connection, and intention. Technology makes communication effortless, but it can also remove the human element if we let it. As parents, we get to decide which traits continue into the next generation. Some we inherited. Some we rebuilt. Some we want to strengthen with intention.

It is natural to want to raise our kids with the best of what we learned from our parents, and also protect them from the parts that hurt us or shaped us in ways we did not want. Most fathers carry both. I grew up with an ambitious and successful father. He worked hard and provided a lot. But the cost was his presence. He was there, but often not there. So now, as a father myself, I have a deep desire to give my daughter the attention I never had. To be present, not just available. To show up in a way that makes her feel seen, supported, and valued. But lately I have been catching myself drifting into the same pattern I promised I would avoid. Getting immersed in work. Getting caught in tasks around the house. Letting moments with my daughter slip by because my mind is somewhere else. And it made me stop and ask: Am I truly being the present father I said I would be, or am I just telling myself I am? Presence does not require perfection. It requires intention. Even small moments count when we show up fully. ❓Have you ever caught yourself repeating patterns from your own childhood without meaning to? ❓What helps you stay present with your kids even on busy days?

Have you ever noticed your child using the same tone you use? The same way of reacting? The same phrases, rhythm, or attitude? Kids don’t just copy what we say. They copy how we say it. Our tone often teaches more than our instructions. A calm voice can reset a moment. A sharp or impatient voice can escalate it instantly. ❓So here is the question for today❓ How has your tone shaped your child’s behaviour, confidence, or reactions? Do they mirror your calm? Do they mirror your frustration? Or have you noticed them repeating something you didn’t realise you taught? Share your experience 📝 Your insight might help another father recognise a pattern in his own home.