81 Dads That Won The Internet By Being Absolutely Wholesome (New Pics)

Growing up with a great father is a huge blessing. In fact, over a quarter of kids in the United States live in a household without a dad. So if you recall eating dinner with your father every evening and being able to call your dad in the middle of the night to help you change a tire, I hope you’ve made it clear how much you appreciate him. Plus, if he managed to teach you some incredible dad jokes, you shouldn’t hesitate to share those with the world!

As far as the benefits that we receive from growing up with a loving father, Pediatric Associates of Franklin notes that our dads play a crucial role in our cognitive and social development. And a supportive father can go a long way in instilling self-confidence in his children.

From a young age, we also learn what kind of treatment to accept from others based on how our fathers treat us. So if your dad is patient, loving and kind, you probably won’t be willing to accept anything less from your friends and partner. 

At the same time, subconsciously or not, our dads will form our perception of how a man should act. If a father is in touch with his emotions and not afraid to cry, his children will learn that everyone is able to express their feelings openly, regardless of their gender. And if a dad cooks, cleans and contributes equally to the household, his kids will grow up understanding that both men and women are responsible for keeping the house in order.

According to Care.com, there are also plenty of benefits that dads themselves can experience after having children. Apparently, fathers undergo hormonal changes, including an increase of oxytocin, after the birth of a child just like mothers do. “This ‘bonding hormone’ rises in men throughout the first six months of fatherhood, and it also increases in fathers after they play with their children,” Elizabeth Karberg, fatherhood and child social development expert, told Care.

Research has also found that fathers who have two or more children actually have a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease than men of the same age who have no kids. Is this because they start taking better care of themselves to try to live as long as they can for their children? Or is it because having kids just makes their hearts stronger? Either way, it’s great to have a healthy heart.

Another unexpected benefit of becoming a parent that many fathers experience is watching their definition of masculinity evolve. They might have never considered being nurturing, gentle, loving and patient as masculine qualities, but these are necessary qualities to be a great parent. And while it's already natural for many men to want to be protectors, they often find a new way of going about that after having children.

So what does it take to be a wonderful father? Well, Bright Horizons notes that an important step is spending plenty of time with your kids. Play their favorite game with them, show interest in their hobbies and be present. It’s also wise to remember that you are their role model, whether you like it or not. Model the kind of behavior that you would be proud to see them replicate. And don’t hesitate to teach them powerful lessons. Because if you don’t, someone else will.   

Regardless of whether or not a child’s mother and father are still together, it’s crucial for them to respect each other and make it clear that they will always put their children first. And if both parents are together, it’s best for Dad to eat meals with the family every day, as well as read to his kiddos before bed. The more involved a father is in his children’s lives, the more likely they’ll be to grow up singing his praises online and laughing at his cheesy, over the top jokes. 

Is this list inspiring you to text your own father and tell him that you love him? We hope you’re enjoying these wholesome pics, pandas, and remember to keep upvoting all of your favorites. Then, if you’re looking for more hilarious examples of dads being the best people on the planet, check out this Bored Panda list next!