Great Parenting Tips For Dads By Famous Dads
An article about parenting tips for dads is quite a novel thing, but we think these famous Dads have really nailed it.
In most TV shows and movies dads are not exactly portrayed as the most capable of the two parents.
If you look at the actors who play these roles you realize there are plenty of famous dads very involved in raising their kids. That means they have a lot of wisdom to share.
We found plenty of books advising moms but not many that address the fact that dads need helpful parenting advice too.
We’ve gathered some of the best and most heartfelt parenting tips for dads from some of the celebrity and famous dads we love.
Famous Dads Give Their Best Parenting Tips for Dads
Michael J Fox
“If you say ‘give me five minutes, give me ten minutes,’…when you get there, the shine will have worn off whatever it is [the kids] wanted to share with you. I’ve never gotten up to see something one of my kids wanted to show me and not been rewarded.”
Every dad’s been there. Your kid interrupts you when you are working on something and you tell them to wait.
Michael J Fox gives this great parenting tip to every dad.
Do not waste an opportunity to see the excitement on your child’s face when they have something to share with you.
Get in there quickly and see what they have been doing that makes them so proud that they want you to see it.
If you show an interest in them and engage with them they will keep coming back to you. Even as they age you will have this tremendous wealth to draw from because you have shown you care.
Robert Downey Jr
“Sometimes you really have to be drop-kicked out of the nest. There are some parents who have done it right and told their kid, ‘we have this dough, but none of it is for you. You have to get your own.’”
Especially as a famous dad with money that is abundant it’s hard to tell your kids no.
Saying no to your children for easy hand-outs will allow them to become creative and independent.
Robert Downey Jr reminds dads everywhere that no matter how well off you may be, you still have to make your kids work hard and earn things on their own.
Ewan McGregor
“I realise it can be boring to play with young children—to tell a story over and over again let’s say—but the secret is being there. If you’ve made a decision to play with your children, then play with them. Don’t be looking through papers on your desk or sneaking off to the computer. Turn off your BlackBerry. Lose yourself in their world. Even if you do it for a short time, it will mean a lot to you and them.”
Ewan McGregor stole our hearts with his great parenting tip for dads which reminds us to be present when you’re with your kids.
It’s so easy to have your eyes glued to your phone or focus on work even when you’re with your children.
But it’s so important to be present and commit to truly being there for them when they need us.
Ryan Gosling
“When you meet your kids, you realize that they deserve great parents. And then you have your marching orders, and you have to try and become the person that they deserve.”
There’s a moment in every dad’s life when the duty of being a great parent will weigh on your shoulders.
Even famous dads have a responsibility to teach, love, and support their kids.
Unfortunately parenthood doesn’t come with a manual and all kids do deserve great parents.
A relevant parenting tip for dads is to commit to trying your best every day and continuing to show up even if you fail.
Brad Pitt
“I grew up with a father-knows-best/war mentality — the father is all-powerful, super strong — instead of really knowing the man and his own self-doubt and struggles. And it’s hit me smack in the face with our divorce: I gotta be more. I gotta be more for them. I have to show them. And I haven’t been great at it.”
Brad Pitt’s vulnerability in this quote shows how he wants to be the best dad he can be for his kids.
There are so many different types of dads out there, but he reminds us of the importance of sharing our struggles and feelings with our children.
When you struggle as a parent, it may be difficult to continue showing up for your kids.
Brad Pitt’s parenting tip for dads shows you don’t have to be perfect you just have to keep trying to be better.
Jimmy Fallon
“It’s the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. You realize what’s important in life. Every single day you realize there’s a new cute thing they’re doing or saying. No other stranger cares that your kid ate an artichoke, but you think it’s the best story ever. No it’s not. It’s boring.”
Jimmy Fallon hits us with a reality that is not just relevant to famous dads.
Even if we think everything our kids do is cute, not everyone else will and that’s okay. So many parts of what your kids do will be unexciting to anyone outside the family.
Jimmy says his parenting tip for dads is to keep being amazed by your own kids because that’s what matters.
We’re so grateful for the parenting tips for dads these famous dads have shared.
Their words are a great reminder that even celebrity dads can struggle with parenthood.
Being a dad can be a lot of responsibility, but these famous fathers handle it with grace and we know you will too.
Read more of our great parenting advice articles here.
My name is Andrea Thompson and I’m a home based freelance writer. I’m 23 years old, married to my best friend, and mother to a wonderfully independent and opinionated 3 year old girl and step-mother to a sweet seven year old boy. I live in a tiny, little town in Kentucky, where I spend my free time fishing with my kids.
Writing has always been my passion, which I followed through high school, and for a while in college. Life happened, and once I discovered we were pregnant, I switched directions; opting for the healthcare industry because of the stability.
Finally, years later, I was in a place where I could leave the day job that never truly made me happy, and pursue my dreams. I’ve built, and am still building, my writing career from scratch. But, I’m passionate and I’m good at what I do. And, in the end, I can prove to my daughter that she can do anything she wants with this life.
