12 Single Dads Reveal the Hidden Truths of Fatherhood

Single dad stories carry a special kind of charm. Some will have you laughing out loud, while others hit you right in the feels — because parenting alone is no easy task. These fathers take on everything from school drop-offs to heartfelt conversations, handling it all solo. Their commitment and resilience are nothing short of inspiring.

• I’m a single dad, and my 9-year-old daughter loves having her long hair braided. She asks me every morning, but I’ve never been good at it. I try, but it usually ends in frustration — for both of us. One day, I heard some girls teasing her about her messy hair. That hurt. So I found a hairstyling class online, signed up, and explained my situation. The instructor was kind and taught me how to braid.
  The next morning, I did two neat pigtails — no mess, no tangles. My daughter was so happy she kissed me on the cheek and ran to the bus. I cried for the first time in a long time — tears of joy.

• My best friend’s wife dropped the youngest of their three children off for his first day of school and then just left. Ten years later, the only contact they’ve had is via their solicitors. She won’t talk to him or the kids directly.
  He says the hardest part wasn’t raising his children alone, it was explaining to the world WHY he was raising the kids alone. Even his own family questioned what he’d done to “make her leave.” © NotEvil_JustBritish / Reddit
• I didn’t want to do anything that might have taken time away from my boys, so I decided to not bother trying to find a partner. I separated from my wife in 1994. But even though my boys are grown now, it’s been so long, and dating has changed so much. I’m still single today. And probably will always be. © Blissful_Relief / Reddit
• We were on the plane when my daughter whispered, “Dad, I think my period started!” I handed her the emergency pad I always carry, and she rushed to the bathroom. Five minutes later, the flight attendant came over and said, “Sir, your daughter is asking if you have an actual pad. She says you gave her a panty liner.”
  I turned red. I didn’t know there was a difference until that moment. Thankfully, a woman a row behind us offered her own. My daughter returned, thanked me and that woman, and said, “Next time, just pack both.” Now I do.

• Most men’s rooms don’t have baby changing tables. Also, everyone assumes that I’m married, and that’s annoying. © backrightpocket / Reddit
• My wife left me shortly after our son was born, and I’ve raised him alone ever since. Now he’s six, and my ex has remarried, though she doesn’t have any children yet. Recently, she told me she wants to take our son. “No way,” I told her.
  One day, while she was visiting, I heard a scream from my son’s room. I rushed upstairs and froze in shock: he was standing by his bed with a diaper on his head. My ex, who had little experience with kids, was just as startled as I was, unsure of how to handle the situation.
  Over time, she’s become more involved in our son’s life, and we’ve both worked hard to ensure he’s happy and safe. Our relationship has improved because of it.
• When I go to parent-teacher interviews with my ex-wife, the teachers speak directly to my ex the vast majority of the time. It is unintentionally disrespectful. © Unknown author / Reddit
• I took my son to swimming lessons when he was 6. I was the only dad there. I was playing a game on my phone when an employee came over and said, “We don’t allow cell phones in the pool area.” Sure, that’s cool, but it didn’t seem to matter that all of the mothers there were on their phones, and none of them were asked to put them away.
  Also, I don’t get to join mom groups because I’m not a mom. Being a single dad is more common now, but it’s still fairly rare, so I have no one in real life to commiserate the trials and tribulations of being a single dad.
  Plus, my friends either don’t have kids or have the other parent to watch the kids, so I miss out on a lot of hangouts. I love both my kids and would rather play video games with my son or color with my daughter, but it’s nice to spend time with other adults. © Dlishcopypasta / Reddit

• I’m genuinely happier alone, but I feel like everyone thinks I’m depressed or torn up about it, especially since my ex is marrying my (previous) best friend. I’m happy for them, I don’t care. © bl***flart / Reddit
• I was struggling to teach them how to wipe properly after going to the bathroom. I had to consult my mother and admit I had NO idea what I was doing. © ETphonehome162 / Reddit
• I volunteered to help at the school Christmas party for my daughter’s class. There was a mom in charge of the party, and I was given the daunting task of bringing a specific drink. She discussed this with me repeatedly, even going so far as asking a family member if I could handle bringing in said drink.
  For the record, my daughter was in the 5th grade, and I have been a single father and have had physical custody of her and my son for 6 years at this time. I assured her that I could handle it and went on with life. © dn0614 / Reddit
• My 11-year-old daughter got her first period during class. She called me, scared and embarrassed. I rushed to school, but to my shock, her teacher scolded me, saying, “You should’ve prepared her better!”
  I held back my anger — this moment was about my daughter, not the teacher. On the way home, she looked up at me and smiled. I saw the tension lift from her shoulders, and I knew she felt safe again.

There are also celebrities who have truly mastered the role of single fatherhood. They’ve stepped up, embraced the challenges, and shown the world what it means to be a devoted dad — both on and off the spotlight.