The tradition of honoring Father’s Day might feel as timeless as dad jokes, but it actually has a pretty heartwarming origin story. In 1909, Sonora Dodd, inspired by Mother’s Day, wanted to celebrate her dad, William Jackson Smart, who raised her and her siblings on his own. Thanks to her efforts, the first Father’s Day took place the following year in Washington State.

However, it only became a nationwide celebration in 1972, when President Richard Nixon declared the third Sunday of June a federal holiday for dads. It took Dodd 62 years of lobbying everyone from presidents to retailers to make this day happen.

For this occasion, Bored Panda got in touch with Ian Dinwiddy, founder of Inspiring Dads, which offers coaching to help fathers balance work and family life. Ian himself has two children and was a stay-at-home dad for both of them.

He told us his greatest joy as a parent comes from “creating the time, space and opportunity for [our] children to develop into great humans.” He also loves seeing the world through his kids’ eyes and appreciating their fresh perspective.

“We get life very wrong when we only focus on big set pieces,” Ian believes. The dad coach highlights that being present and paying attention to small details, like putting away your phone, makes a real difference.

For instance, Ian recalls one of his kids' favorite memories when they were around 6 and 3 years old. They all went to a coffee shop together, and it was raining on one side of the street but not the other. Almost a decade later, they still treasure this experience. “Special moments are all around us,” Ian insists.

Ian now perceives the world as much broader and recognizes the responsibility of nurturing his kids’ individual personalities. “You have to see your children as independent people, and you are their first and potentially most important guide,” he explains.

Of course, the dad coach understands the challenges fathers face, especially when adjusting to life after their child is born. A study in the UK revealed that fathers often experience stress and guilt about returning to their jobs after paternal leave, feeling torn between their responsibilities at home and work. They also worry about leaving their partners to handle the care alone.

“I’d not really thought about coming back to work and kind of knowing that I will miss a big chunk of [my child’s] life because I am at work. I’m out of [their] life for more time than I’m actually in it,” said one of the study participants.

One more dad shared, “I remember… crying on the bus on the first day. So, a combination of just being sleep deprived and really not wanting to be there when I was at work, I felt pretty rotten.”

Another study found that many fathers continue to see themselves in a traditional role as providers and supporters of their families. As a result, they often choose not to share their stressful emotional experiences with their partners to avoid burdening them.

75% of dads in the US are looking for more mental health support. “While there is still a lot of stigma around getting help for one’s mental health, this is especially true for men,” said Saba Harouni Lurie, a licensed marriage and family therapist, in response to these findings.

“Gender stereotypes dictate that men should be stoic and self-reliant, which are seen as signs of strength.”

Moreover, more than half of dads said they wished their friends or family would check on them more often. At the same time, they felt judged if they talked about their mental health to others.

Ian Dinwiddy shared a technique to help fathers improve their lives. He recommends connecting with your personal 'Be, Do, Have'—writing down everything you want to be, do, and have, and then narrowing it down to the top five priorities. “If you have a partner, get them to do the same,” he suggests. Comparing lists can help create core principles for the family unit, providing clarity of focus and direction for making decisions.

Ian also stresses the importance of understanding ‘the second shift’ and ‘mental load’ to reduce relationship tension. By recognizing and addressing these additional responsibilities, fathers can better support their partners and contribute to a harmonious family life.

So, we hope you take a moment to recognize the dedication that goes into parenting and celebrate Father’s Day by showing your dad or father figure some extra love. Here’s to all the amazing dads who positively impact our lives every day!