A dad is not a babysitter

Across Reddit, users shared moving stories from their childhoods that reveal one powerful truth: it’s not about being a perfect parent. It’s about showing up.

“The last you knew, I was starting to date, but luckily soon after, I met the woman of my dreams and had two children.”

"I have whatever the opposite of daddy issues are because my dad drives behind me during my 5 a.m. runs to make sure I’m safe."

Watching you as a dad makes my heart so full. You support…

You call your mom. She saves you because she’s been here too, and she sees you.

In the reel, Mom is working, cooking, or maybe just sitting down for 90 seconds of peace, and the kids are calling her nonstop.

It was a small gesture—just a quick hand movement—but it spoke volumes.

From lying to sneaking out, Ashley admits she “literally tried it all the time” but could rarely get away with it.

In your presence, your child feels an emotional security that allows them to be vulnerable, unguarded and exposed.

"If you could do any part of today over again, what would it be?"

If we don't do anything about the guilt it can eat away at us.

Recognizing our needs is the first step to reclaiming what we want.

Simple ways to take something off her plate—today and every day.

You just keep getting bigger, doing more, needing me less.

You are the incredible gift who gave me my cherished title of ‘mother.’

I know you’re worried. I know you’re scared. But you know what I know? You’ve got this.