While the role of a father has changed dramatically over the past decade, it is still a challenge that is as tough as it is rewarding. Despite the numerous ways in which fatherhood has become easier, progress brings new challenges with it. And so, the life of a single dad has arguably never been more difficult.
There has been significant progress in how society views dads - both partnered and single - but if being the only parent wasn’t hard enough, the modern single dad is also coping with the new pressures and expectations laid upon fathers.
Rest assured, though, we are here to offer support and advice from single dads who have been there, done it, and are still learning. Whether singlehood is the path you’ve chosen or the hand you’ve been dealt, we’ve compiled 55 tips, pearls of wisdom, nuggets of advice and information sourced from across the internet.
Got some advice you’d like to share? Drop a comment below!
Table Of Contents
Life as a single dad
Becoming a single dad brings with it a whole raft of incredibly significant changes to your life. Being a single dad means being the absolute centre of your child’s life; the pillar that their future rests on.
1. ‘Everyone wears different shoes’
As this single dad points out, everyone’s path is different. Plenty of people will be offering up advice to you as a single dad - they’re most likely trying to be helpful - but the truth is that they probably don’t truly understand what your life is like.
2. '6 going on 16'
There’s so much to unpack in Anthony’s post. But you’ll find yourself using your kids’ stuff all the time because it’s convenient. Just make sure they don’t find out…especially if they’re six going on 16!
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3. Take time to chill
Nappy changes, school runs, cooking (getting them to actually eat the meal, too!!!), play time, nap time, homework, hobbies, clubs, washing clothes, cleaning, and all the rest. It can all feel like there’s too much to do and not enough time. It’s super important to take time to just chill out with your little ones.
4. You’ll notice how things are different from when you were a kid
Back in Claude’s day, there had to be more than a foot of snow for school to be closed. Now there’s a ¼ inch in Maine and he’s having to drop everything to entertain the kids (and presumably work).
5. You’ll get covered in something green
Everyone knows this, right? It’s inevitable, one way or another.
It’s been kind of a rough morning. #babyvomit #parenting #singledadlife #TheMandalorian #StarWars #babyyoda #Grogu pic.twitter.com/wNTENu3gAj
— Din Djarin (@DinDaddymando) February 20, 2022
6. You’ll make them smile with the smallest things
As this single dad highlights, sometimes it’s the smallest of things you do that puts a beaming smile on your child's face.
7. ‘What more does a man need?’
We live in such a busy world dominated by technology, social media and advertising. But sometimes all you need is the great outdoors and the people you Love.
8. Don’t neglect your own food
When you’ve SO much to do, it’s super easy to not put in the effort when it comes to your own meals - a ready meal, or chuck something in the oven for 20 minutes. But check out these nachos for one made by a single dad. It’s really important to make some effort for yourself.
9. Social life? What social life?
My life for the last 10 years. #SingleDadLife pic.twitter.com/4NlZFSXy0j
— EzBakeJake (@DevilzFartbox) December 4, 2021
10. ‘Dad mode re-activated’
If you share custody of your child, you’ll want to make the most of your time together. And so activating dad-mode quickly will be a crucial ability in your inventory.
11. Celebrate the little wins
There was a really easy tip in this post about learning to do long hairstyles. But you know what we took from it? Celebrating the little wins when things are so tough will be really important for you as a single dad. Kids ate everything on the plate? YES! You rule! They’re finally happy with the hairstyle you did? Great job!
12. Speaking of hair...
You're going to need to learn some styles for when you have the long-haired little ones.
Here's the legend that is How to DAD with the advice!
13. Embrace the fun times
Burping is bad manners, right? Something you should definitely discourage, right? Take a leaf out of this dad’s book and take it easy sometimes and embrace the unrivalled joy of kids laughing and enjoying themselves.
14. Don’t expect a moment to yourself
Got things to do? Yep. Need both your hands? Probably. Doesn’t matter, baby wants cwtches hugs (this Welsh writer just remembered his international audience).
Daddy’s boy trying to cook but he wants me to hold him. Lol spoiled #singledadlife pic.twitter.com/VgHZ6YctO5
— チヨ aka Nola boii (@ChyioSwag) November 15, 2020
15. You might miss your old life, but not for long
When times are tough, you might think back to your life before kids, when you had no responsibilities, no one utterly dependent on you, and less stress. But then your kid will do something like this and you’ll fall in love with being a single dad all over again.
16. They’ll be hilarious, even when they’re asking for something for the millionth time
Enough said really.
Who else would it be?...
— JCruz (@JCruz_Pro) October 20, 2022
Asking for robux? #singledadlife pic.twitter.com/QtVErqPQbK
17. Poo stories make great stories (even if they’re false alarms)
I can’t believe we got to No.17 before mentioning poo! Obviously there will be a lot of poo, duh! BUT, no poo story has ever made a bad story.
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18. You’ll be creative in ways you never imagined
Take single dad, Cameron. It’s the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, he’s working from home while looking after his girls. He’s got an important three-hour call looming - how on earth is he going to keep the girls occupied? By being one heck of a single dad creative mastermind! That’s how.
19. Some things never change
No, I’m not talking about that annoyingly catchy tune from Frozen 2 (if you don’t know it yet, you will soon!) Remember earlier when we talked about noticing how different things are from when you were a kid? Yeah, it also works the other way. You’ll also realise how nothing has changed. Just like this dad taking his kids to a middle school dance.
20. Single dad life never stops
If you share custody with your partner, you may think there’s a point when dad-mode stops. You can have some time to yourself, watch some football, have a few beers. Then BANG! Your daughter leaves something that she needs for school at your house.
Being a good single dad
One question that plays on the minds of men when they’re becoming a single dad is ‘how do I be a good single dad?’. Good thing we’ve got a collection of top notch single father advice, right?
21. Give them undivided attention
If you’re a single dad, there’s one thing your child needs more than anything in the world - your time. With more flexibility at work than ever before, this dad compressed his hours so that he could focus entirely on his kids on the days he gets with them. Giving them undivided attention is arguably the single most important thing you can do if you want to be a good single dad.
22. ‘Together is a wonderful place to be’
Oh that’s a lovely quote, isn’t it? Okay it’s a bit of a continuation of the last point, but that just goes to show how important it is just to spend time with your kids.
23. Single parent van life
I tried picking out one piece of advice or overarching theme, but this Instagram post from a single dad is packed full of amazing advice - not just for getting away with the kids, but amazing advice that can easily be taking into the day-to-day of normal life.
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24. Create memories in the everyday
Do you know what’s so great about this post from single dad Jamie? With a caption about making great memories, it’s easy to assume it’ll be packed full of extravagant experiences. But the images Jamie shares alongside the caption “great memories” are mainly everyday things - playing games, a bike ride, playing with the dog, going shopping. It’s all simple stuff we do every day, but it can mean so much more.
25. Blink and you’ll miss it
One for a little later down the road. This single dad is coming to terms with the fact that his little boy has gone from learning how to comb his hair and brush his teeth to learning how to drive in the blink of an eye. Savour it, it won’t last.
26. “Patience is the road to wisdom”
Every parent needs heaps and heaps of patience. Single parents even more so. Without your partner there to tackle tantrums and strops with, you’re going to have to deal with them on your own. And it’s going to require more patience than you ever thought possible.
#AdviceForMySon #SingleDad pic.twitter.com/0iB8P4RD4h
— Dan MacDonald (@ValueHelp) January 23, 2023
27. Work as a team
Another one for when they’re a little bit older, and especially if you’ve experienced loss. It’s so easy to let the chaos and grief that Mike talks about take over the lives of you and your child. Do your best to work with them to bring stability back into your lives.
28. ‘It’s about the person you love, loves the ballet’
Owen’s post reminds me of this scene from The Break Up - I know it’s an adult relationship, not a father-daughter relationship but bear with me. Just watch the clip and you’ll see what I mean!
“It’s about the person you love, loves the ballet, and you wanting to spend time with that person”
Looking at Owen’s post - Realistically, how many dads want to spend their evening with a homemade Coffee Sugar Face scrub on? But Owen’s done it, because he loves his daughter and she loves homemade coffee sugar face scrubs. And Owen’s a good single dad.
29. ‘The best way to express your love to your child…
…is to spend as much quality time [as] possible.’
There's a bit of a theme brewing here!
30. ‘The perfect way to spend a lazy morning and afternoon’
There’s not really a specific tip to come out of Braden’s post about cooking breakfast and making art with his daughter. It’s just all of it. If you want to be a good single dad, just follow Braden’s lead on this one.
31. Get on your dancing shoes!
If your kid asks you to do something and you wonder if your mates will make fun of you for it - and the answer is yes - you can guarantee you’re a good dad if you do it. Like this dad…you know he’s getting stick in the WhatsApp group. But he doesn’t care, because he’s a great single dad.
Single dad challenges
Being a dad is hard. Being a single dad is even harder. It’s one huge challenge interspersed with millions of little challenges. Here are just some of the challenges you’ll face as a single dad.
32. You’ll have to deal with erratic sleep on your own
Mike asks, ‘why oh why are they up early on the weekend, and like zombies when it’s time for school!?’. We can probably all relate.
33. Cleaning will feel like a never ending battle
Even the Queen of Clean gave up after her third child was born!
34. You’ll feel lost without them
There’s a bit of a stereotype of single dads that are separated from the mother - that when they don’t have the kids they’re loving life, doing whatever they want. The reality, though, is that you’ll probably look a bit like Quentin…
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35. The battle for the lights is over, the war for the electricity bill has just begun
Whether you’re a single dad like Peter or a dad in a relationship, managing the household’s electricity usage defines you.
36. Stay hydrated
This post seems SUPER obvious, right? Everyone knows it’s important to stay hydrated. But all parents struggle with tiredness and maintaining their overall health, often forgoing or forgetting to look after themselves. Even something as simple as making sure you’re well hydrated throughout the day is a really simple but valuable way of helping to keep you on top form.
37. Encourage them to express themselves
Children’s mental health is an issue we’re becoming increasingly aware of both as parents and a society. And there’s a lot of focus around encouraging children to embrace their emotions. This post is a great example of the little things you can do to encourage your child to express their emotions.
