What kind of dad are you?

Just like the perfect mum, the perfect dad simply does not exist. So stop feeling guilty right away if you forgot your child's after-school snack for a day out or if you still put the babygrows on back to front… All of this comes with practice (and a great deal of patience). There is a wealth of information about motherhood, the role of the mother, and her importance — yet fatherhood is all too often pushed into the background. That said, attitudes have been shifting in recent years, and fathers are gradually being given the place they rightly deserve. Raising children is no small task and mothers carry an enormous responsibility, but the role of the father is just as important. So, what kind of dad are you?

For you, being a dad means knowing when to say "no." You like there to be rules in the house and for those rules to be followed. You want your child to learn the meaning of boundaries, and the idea of a "spoilt child" at home is simply unthinkable. You have no hesitation in using punishments and sanctions to enforce your authority. The advice: learn to ease up a little and make time for the people you love. Being lenient does not mean being a pushover.

The hands-on dad

You became involved in fatherhood the moment your partner found out she was pregnant — your role as a dad truly means the world to you, and you feel just as invested as your partner. For you, being cold and distant with your children is unthinkable; you love them and fully intend to show it. Closeness, love, and open conversation are the cornerstones of your parenting philosophy. The advice: Your children grow up fast, and you will need to assert yourself so as not to be walked over. You can champion open discussion, but know when to say "enough."

The absent father

You are little involved, or not involved at all, in your child's life. An unplanned pregnancy, a separation from your ex-partner… there can be many reasons behind an absent father's situation.

Whatever the case, it would be a shame to miss out on fatherhood — so pull yourself together and make time for your child, for their sake as much as your own!

The laid-back dad

Nothing worries you; you take things as they come and always find the positive in every situation (even when the children have turned the living room upside down). Deep down, you have remained a big kid yourself, and you are simply delighted to be able to play with your offspring.

The advice: If you do not want your partner to end up playing the bad cop and your children to use you to cover up their mischief, stay relaxed — but firm.

Bear in mind that there are no hard and fast rules here. Perhaps you recognise yourself in one of the profiles above, or perhaps you are a blend of all of them. What matters most is being a parent who listens to their family, who remains caring, and who complements their partner when it comes to raising the children.

Did you recognise yourself in one of these profiles? Feel free to let us know in the comments what kind of dad you are!