Single Dads Being The Only Parent Their Child Needs

Parenthood can be a challenge even on a good day, with many parents having a partner to lean on and share the responsibility with. For single parents, though, there's a different set of challenges to face when you're trying to be both mom and dad to your child.

These single fathers saw that challenge and stepped up to the plate, giving their children 110% dedication so everyone can live happily.

Work With What You've Got

dad made spider-man cake for son who asked
Photo Credit: Imgur / tacoparlor
Photo Credit: Imgur / tacoparlor

His son asked for a Spider-Man cake for his birthday, and this dad decided that was a request he was going to make a reality! He ran into a slight problem when he realized the only cake pan he owns is a plain rectangle one, but he made it work.

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Inspiring A Future Firefighter

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single dad who built a firetruck bed for son who wants to be firefighter
Photo Credit: Imgur / deejaygamble
Photo Credit: Imgur / deejaygamble
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His son requested a firefighter-themed bed because he wants to be a firefighter, so dad delivered just that. It probably turned out much better than his little boy could have even dreamed of.

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The Family Is Strong With This One

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dad with four daughters who three star wars princess party
Photo Credit: Reddit / diggertim68
Photo Credit: Reddit / diggertim68
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This father has four daughters in his life, one of whom requested a Star Wars Princess Party for her birthday. She was pretty specific on the theme, so dad made it happen for her.

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You Gotta Check His Fit

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dad asking for fashion advice from daughter before he goes on date
Photo Credit: Twitter / @saville_carliii
Photo Credit: Twitter / @saville_carliii
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This dad is trying to get back into the dating world now that his kids are older, and his daughter likes to make sure that he's looking fresh for all of his dates.

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He Probably Put It On Right After

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daughter giving dad a shirt that says
Photo Credit: Twitter / @rchlltrmn
Photo Credit: Twitter / @rchlltrmn
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The smile on his face tells us enough to know that he loved his "Best Guy My Daughter Knows" T-shirt that his child gave him for Christmas. We have no doubt that he'll wear it with pride.

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A Personalized Bouquet

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bouquet from dad to daughter on first day of kindergarten
Photo Credit: Instagram / @scott_js
Photo Credit: Instagram / @scott_js
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Before heading to pick up his daughter after her first day at kindergarten, this dad put together a personalized bouquet filled with flowers and Ninja Turtles so he wouldn't show up empty-handed.

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A Selfie To Start The Day

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morning selfie with daughter every single day
Photo Credit: Instagram / @molograming
Photo Credit: Instagram / @molograming
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Every single day, this dad wakes his daughter up and then takes a photo with her almost immediately after her eyes are open. Are there mornings where she's probably not thrilled about it? Definitely, but the good days outweigh the bad.

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Teaching Her All The Necessary Skills

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dad teaches daughter to shave her legs by shaving his own
Photo Credit: Imgur / PoopsMcGee
Photo Credit: Imgur / PoopsMcGee
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His daughter asked him to teach her how to shave her legs, so he decided to use his own legs to demonstrate. Based on that shine on the right leg, dad knows what he's doing!

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Bunnies Need Baths Too

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dad was asked by daughter to give stuffed animal a bath
Photo Credit: Reddit / ChristianGeek
Photo Credit: Reddit / ChristianGeek
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His daughter requested that her bunny get a bath at night just like she does. While she was away at her mother's, Dad sent her a photo of him giving bunny her nightly bath to keep up the routine.

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Minnie Misfits Pancakes

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dad who unsuccessfully tried to make mickey mouse pancakes
Photo Credit: Imgur / WEsdogg227
Photo Credit: Imgur / WEsdogg227
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It started out as a quest to create Mickey Mouse shaped pancakes for his kids to enjoy. They morphed a little, and now he's labeled them as Minnie Misfits, and he's pretending it was on purpose.

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Teaching Her How She Should Be Treated

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flowers for daughter from father
Photo Credit: Instagram / @evolushin22
Photo Credit: Instagram / @evolushin22
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This father makes an effort to bring his daughter bouquets of flowers or small gifts to make her smile so she knows how she should be treated by the men in her life.

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A Bedtime Routine

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father son reading in bed
Photo Credit: Instagram / @notalion
Photo Credit: Instagram / @notalion
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Having a routine is important to add stability to your child's life, and part of this father-son routine is that they read books in bed every single night so that they can both sleep well. Look at that joy on their faces.

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Every Good Chef Has A Good Hat

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father daughter with chefs hats baking
Photo Credit: Instagram / @chefnokes_pnw
Photo Credit: Instagram / @chefnokes_pnw
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If dad is going to wear a chef's hat, he at least wanted it to be a Seattle Seahawks one, and his lil' cupcake got her own cap to wear alongside him. Her face tells us she knows just how cute she looks in it too.

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Following His Daughter's Instructions

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dad drinking out of elsa cup
Photo Credit: Instagram / @daddy_must_fly
Photo Credit: Instagram / @daddy_must_fly
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As a single father, this dad has realized that he is definitely not the one in charge in his household. His daughter said that daddy must only drink from the Elsa cup, so dad's following his marching orders.

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Keep 'Em Entertained For Hours

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dad built box fort for child in the living room
Photo Credit: Instagram / @callsignasylum
Photo Credit: Instagram / @callsignasylum
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You can spend your money on fancy toys to keep your kid entertained, or you can go more old-school like this dad did and build a box fort in the living room to keep your kids busy while you cook dinner.

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A Mother's Day Tradition

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drawing made by son for single father on mother's day
Photo Credit: Derrydeez
Photo Credit: Derrydeez
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"As a single father, my son always makes me something for Mother's Day. This year's drawing is a turnip arm-wrestling a puma." Well, that seems as good a present as any to receive from your child.

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A Surprise For His Daughter

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huge haul of my little pony toys from single dad to daughter as surprise
Photo Credit: Reddit / karmichoax
Photo Credit: Reddit / karmichoax
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"As a single dad trying to surprise his daughter, it'd be nice if cashiers stopped asking if they're for me and smirking." This is a heck of a lot of My Little Pony products to be surprising someone with.

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Committing To The Costume

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dad as ursula with daughter as ariel in school
Photo Credit: Instagram / @thehairdad
Photo Credit: Instagram / @thehairdad
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Not only was dad going to show up for Halloween at school, but he was going to show up in full costume because that's what a good dad does in his books. Little Ariel loved having her own personal Ursula that day.

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He Has No Idea What's In Store For The Next Morning

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little boy asleep on couch dad taking photo of him with new Wii next to couch
Photo Credit: Reddit / pour7me7another8
Photo Credit: Reddit / pour7me7another8
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"I'm a single dad, and my son has no idea where I've been for the last six hours. He will be excited to unbox this with me in the morning." Let's hope he got the gifts out of there before his son woke up so he didn't ruin his own surprise.

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"Pinterest Level: Single Dad"

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smiles on plate made of macroni, grapes and hot dogs
Photo Credit: Reddit / murdoch623
Photo Credit: Reddit / murdoch623
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If you're not able to make any snacks or decorations that look like all those ones on Pinterest, don't beat yourself up. There is a very slim population of parents who have the time or talent for that. They'll still like your hot dog smiles.

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Taking His Tooth Fairy Duties Seriously

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dad who drew tiny gold footprints in glitter glue leading to money from toothfairy
Photo Credit: Imgur / Trelkeen
Photo Credit: Imgur / Trelkeen
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This dad takes his responsibilities as the Tooth Fairy very seriously, even breaking out the golden glitter glue to draw a few tiny footprints that leave a path to the note.

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Something Healthy Before The Candy Corn

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festive food for children made of bell peppers that look like jackolanterns
Photo Credit: Instagram / @cedarsurfer06
Photo Credit: Instagram / @cedarsurfer06
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He already knows that his kids are going to gorge themselves on candy later on because that's the whole point of Halloween, but first, they're going to eat some vegetables.

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His First Attempt At A Themed Cake

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hula barbie cake made by 23-year-old single father for daughter's birthday
Photo Credit: Reddit / BB_Wolfy
Photo Credit: Reddit / BB_Wolfy
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"I'm a 23 male, single father of 2, and this is my first attempt at a hula girl cake for my little girl's b-day." If this is his first attempt at making a birthday cake, we can't wait to see what he comes up with in a few years.

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Workout Buddies For Life

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dad hoisting daughter on shoulder taking gym selfie
Photo Credit: Instagram / @nickcoks
Photo Credit: Instagram / @nickcoks
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Just because you have children to take care of doesn't necessarily mean you have to sacrifice your workout regime! This dad realized his daughter loved to come with him to the gym because she got to spend time with him.

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Sewing His Way Into The Halloween Hall Of Fame

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dad sewed halloween costumes as Toph and Katara for daughters
Photo Credit: Reddit / telekinetic
Photo Credit: Reddit / telekinetic
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"First Halloween as a single dad, my girls wanted me to sew them Toph and Katara costumes. ps. Hair loopies are hard!" He's got better sewing skills than most people we know.

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"This Happens A Lot"

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daughter painting dad's nails at kitchen table
Photo Credit: Reddit / ticosurfer
Photo Credit: Reddit / ticosurfer
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With a face as sweet as hers, it's no wonder dad has trouble saying no to her when she asks if she can paint his nails. Let's just hope he's got nail polish remover somewhere in the house to clean up any mistakes.

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Issuing A Challenge With Breakfast

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children wanted non-circle pancakes so dad made cowboy riding a horse
Photo Credit: Reddit / princesspear
Photo Credit: Reddit / princesspear
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His children requested "non-circle" pancakes and he delivered. We might have gone for a triangle or square, but he took it to the next level with the cowboy riding a horse across the breakfast table.

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A Fairy And A Princess Walk Into A Renaissance Festival

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dad in costume at renaissance fair with daughter
Photo Credit: Imgur
Photo Credit: Imgur
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"My favorite picture from the Renaissance Festival in MN this weekend. Single father with his daughter, dressed as a fairy and princess." He'd probably love to have this photo from that day to remember it too.

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Getting In The Christmas Spirit

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makeshift christmas tree put up by single father
Photo Credit: Reddit / Sgorman
Photo Credit: Reddit / Sgorman
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"As a single father, I try my best." You may not be the king of decorating, but as long as you're trying your best to get everyone in the holiday spirit, that's good enough.

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It's About The Little Things

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footprints in fake snow under the christmas tree to surprise children
Photo Credit: Reddit / BallsoupCity
Photo Credit: Reddit / BallsoupCity
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There are difficult moments, and every parent has had their fair share of bad days, but this single dad likes to remind himself that his kids are going to remember the little things. They'll remember the footprints that Santa left under their Christmas tree.