Father’s Day always looks slightly different when you are a single dad. Seth realized that when he was asked to write about it, and at first he thought, well, maybe there is a reason nobody really talks about this angle. Because the truth is, single dads are not one neat little group; some hardly see their kids, and it breaks their hearts every day. Others live in constant exhaustion, trying to fill mom’s and dad’s shoes simultaneously. And the stories of how each man ended up here, raising kids alone, are as different as snowflakes. But there is one thing that connects them all, a quiet thread of truth. Sometimes the job feels invisible, sometimes even thankless. Yet the bond between father and child, that one-on-one space, is a blessing that goes deeper than most of them ever imagined.
When he thinks about time with his kids, Seth knows it is his and alone. Yes, there may be grandparents, friends, maybe even a co-parent on the other end of the schedule, but those hours belong to him and his kids. And there is something sacred in that, something that cannot be shared. Fathers do little things nobody notices, like skipping out on buying work boots because the ballet recital dress costs more than expected, or using the only vacation days left to catch every basketball game. Those choices rarely make headlines, but they build the quiet scaffolding of love a child stands on.
Men are not always great at talking about emotions. Most grow up learning to “just get it done” instead of sitting down and naming what they feel. So when life throws curveballs, single dads especially are out here winging it. There is not always a partner to talk things through with, not always someone to say, “Hey, you handled that well,” or “Maybe try this instead.” Sometimes they stumble, sometimes they say the wrong thing, but the effort and the trying prove love. It may not look polished, but it is real.
Seth is the first to say that time and providing matters, too, and paying bills, attending the dance recitals, and cooking dinner after work count. But he believes the deeper gift shows his kids what kind of man he is becoming through it all. A man who sacrifices when needed, holds integrity like a compass, and shows up even when tired. No matter what the custody papers say or how smooth or rocky things are with their mom, a father who stays steady with genuine intentions will leave an imprint. Over time, that becomes part of who those children are.
Writing about this is not meant as bragging, not some medal ceremony for dads who survived parenting solo. Seth is not trying to pat himself or anyone else on the back for being heroes. And he definitely is not saying Father’s Day should be about recognition or applause. Kids, especially when they are little, may never know how much has been sacrificed for them. They may never realize that vacations were traded for basketball games or new shoes were delayed for leotards. But maybe that is the point. Perhaps the best gift is not in being thanked, but in laying down a foundation of humility and strength that your child will one day stand tall on.
Seth admits he cannot even picture what that will look like yet. What will it mean when his kids grow older and those quiet sacrifices start shaping their choices, values, and sense of self? It is a mystery, but an exciting one. Until then, the mission remains simple, even when it feels complicated. Keep showing up, doing your best with what you have, and being Dad.
So this Father’s Day, he says to other single dads: do not wait for a parade. Take pride in the small, hidden things. Take pride in knowing that you are exactly what your kids need right now, messy, tired, and imperfect. And that, more than anything else, is worth celebrating.
