Dads Who Show Up > Everything Else
They May Not Clap, But They’ll Never Forget.
This article is part of the Learning Safari track, where we turn ordinary moments into powerful learning adventures—helping you spark creativity and discovery in your child’s everyday world.
Happy (almost) Father’s Day. 😊
It’s coming up this Sunday, but I couldn’t wait to say it.
To every Dad, Stepdad, Granddad, Guardian, and Father Figure who’s ever
shown up with love, patience, or just a pair of listening ears,
You matter more than you know.
The world needs more of you.
I didn’t expect to be so moved that day.
We were at the hospital for my daughter’s appointment.
She had taken ill, and we were waiting to see the doctor.
It was also immunisation day.
If you've ever been in a paediatric waiting room on immunisation day, you know how I mean.
Newborns nestled in soft blankets, their tiny faces peeking out like little treasures.
Nervous parents cradling them close, wearing that mix of awe and exhaustion only new love brings.
The whole room wrapped in a quiet hush, equal parts tenderness and tension.
I remember sitting there, looking around, minding my business.
And then I saw him.
One dad. Alone. Just holding his baby.
He wasn’t scrolling on his phone.
He wasn’t bouncing her around in that frantic way we all do when we’re desperate to soothe a crying baby.
He wasn’t checking his watch every 12 seconds.
He was just there.
Completely focused.
Completely present.
Cradling that baby like he had nothing else in the world to do.
And you know what?
It moved me.
Hard.
There was something about that man just quietly showing up, without needing applause or recognition, that carved a soft, lasting place in my heart.
I was proud of him, and I didn’t even know him.
I wanted to say something.
I wanted to shake his hand.
I wanted to high-five him, whisper “you’re doing great,” and maybe give him a medal.
But just then, we got called in to see the paediatrician.
And that moment?
It stayed with me.
Dear Dads: Your Presence Is Your Power
How you show up.
How you carry the day.
How your presence shapes the rhythm of home.
The way you read that funny book with all the made-up voices.
The way you pause when they ask a big question.
The way you show up—even when you’re tired, even when it’s hard.
You don’t need to perform or plan something elaborate.
You just need to keep doing what you’re already doing:
Being there. Being you.
That’s the good stuff.
That’s the legacy right there.
3 Ways to Turn Hidden Moments into Learning Gold
You don’t need a whiteboard.
Just try these:
1. Narrate what you’re doing
Talk out loud.
You’re letting your child peek into how you think, decide, and solve problems.
Example:
“I’m checking if this battery’s dead. If the lights don’t turn on, it means we need a new one.”
That right there is vocabulary, logic, problem-solving—all wrapped into one ordinary moment.
2. Let them help (even if it’s messy and slow)
I know. You could do it faster without them.
But letting them “help” is about apprenticeship, not efficiency.
Let them hammer the nail sideways. Let them stir the pancake mix until it’s over-whisked. Let them drop every screw on the floor.
They’re not being annoying—they’re learning.
3. Ask curiosity-driven questions
Not lectures. Just questions.
“What do you think makes someone a good leader?”
“If you could invent anything, what would it do?”
“What’s something you’ve changed your mind about?”
You don’t need a follow-up quiz. Just toss the question into the air while driving or walking. Let it land wherever it lands.
Curiosity is the seed. Your question is the water.
That’s it.
Your Ordinary is Their Extraordinary
You don’t have to be perfect.
You don’t have to plan.
You don’t have to “make memories” on demand.
You just have to be there.
In the room. In the car. In the mess.
Because your presence teaches more than a textbook ever could.
And it might just be the lesson they remember for the rest of their lives.
This Week’s Takeaway for Dads
You’re probably doing more than you realise.
But if you want to be more intentional with connection, without adding more to your already packed schedule, I’ve created something special for you below:
📋 The Family Connection Audit & Planning Template
This resource isn’t about adding pressure.
It’s about noticing what’s already working—and gently expanding on it.
You’ll find:
🌟 A quick self-audit to check how connected you feel to each family member (and what’s quietly getting in the way).
🧭 Reflection prompts to help you spot and shape the small moments that matter most.
📅 A monthly planning grid—mini-rituals, one-on-one moments, and presence cues mapped out week by week.
🧠 A strategy box to create light routines that support (not overwhelm) your family flow.
💌 A closing affirmation that reminds you: connection isn’t about doing more—it’s about showing up for what’s already there.
It’s all laid out here—beautifully simple, real-life practical, and intentionally built for dads like you.
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