We’ve learned a lot from our TV dads over the years — which one best describes you?

Fatherhood has changed a lot over the past few decades, especially when you turn on the television. But we’ve learned a lot from our television dads. Which TV father best represents you?

Charles Ingalls (without the prairie)

Forget the throw-away lifestyle the rest of the world lives, you teach your kids to build from scratch and fix things when they break. You might not have extra money to spoil your kids rotten, but you sing to them on a regular basis and tell them you love ‘em — and that’s even better.

Mr. Cunningham (without the Fonz)

Every time you turn around there’s another teenager drinking pop from your fridge or showing up at your dinner table uninvited. It’s annoying as heck, but you’re happy your kids hang out in the living room instead of God knows where.

Don Draper (without the women and booze)

Your kids know who’s paying for braces, college, weddings — and everything else. Sure, you don’t have time to coach Little League, but you show up for the important stuff.

Mike Brady (without the perm)

DNA is overrated. It doesn’t matter what your kids call you; everyone knows you’re a bonus. Time, money, love, attention — you give your all. Plus, you have the coolest house on the block.

Danny Tanner (without the helpful uncle)

Single parenting wasn’t part of your plan, but you’ve learned to French braid and sew on Cub Scout patches with the best of them. Your house is full and your days are crazy, but somehow you muster energy to read bedtime stories every night.

Commander William Adama (without the Battlestar Galactica)

Sometimes it feels like you’re trying to communicate to your kids from outer space. Sure, you haven’t been very close these past few years, but it’s not because you aren’t an honorable guy who loves his kids more than anything. Contrary to popular speculation, you are not a robot. You’ve got feelings too.

Phil Dunphy (without the impressive cheerleading skills)

You’re fun and sweet. You think you’re hip. You’re hashtagging this, and tweeting that. Sure, you’re not thrilled about driving a minivan but it’s real handy for carpooling to swim practice. Your ringtone is set to maximum volume because you are always available.

The Man in the Yellow Hat (without the monochromatic wardrobe)

Running, sailing, hiking in the woods; you take your little monkey everywhere. When curiosity rips wallpaper or the bathtub floods the house with water, you take a deep breath and channel your Love and Logic training — always remembering to be heavy on the love. True, your supervision skills could be stronger, but at least nobody accuses you of helicopter parenting. Who’s up for some doughnuts?

A note to kids of all ages

Friends, one day a year isn’t enough time to celebrate all that dads do. If television has taught us anything it’s that kids need fathers more than ever. Small screens are fun. Real life is better.

Today, let’s make sure Dad gets first dibs on the remote.

Jennifer Bardsley is an Edmonds mom of two. Find her on Twitter @jennbardsley and at www.heraldnet.com/ibrakeformoms and teachingmybabytoread.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Brandon Hailey of Cytrus, center, plays the saxophone during a headlining show at Madam Lou’s on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood-based funk octet Cytrus has the juice

Resilience and brotherhood take center stage with ‘friends-first’ band.

FILE - In this April 11, 2014 file photo, Neko Case performs at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif. Fire investigators are looking for the cause of a fire on Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, that heavily damaged Case’s 225-year-old Vermont home. There were no injuries, though a barn was destroyed. It took firefighters two hours to extinguish the blaze. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP, File)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Singer-songwriter Neko Case, an indie music icon from Tacoma, performs Sunday in Edmonds.

Sarah Jean Muncey-Gordon puts on some BITCHSTIX lip oil at Bandbox Beauty Supply on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bandbox Beauty was made for Whidbey Island locals, by an island local

Founder Sarah Muncey-Gordon said Langley is in a renaissance, and she’s proud to be a part of it.

Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli
Tangier’s market boasts piles of fruits, veggies, and olives, countless varieties of bread, and nonperishables, like clothing and electronics.
Rick Steves on the cultural kaleidoscope of Tangier in Morocco

Walking through the city, I think to myself, “How could anyone be in southern Spain — so close — and not hop over to experience this wonderland?”

Byrds co-founder Roger McGuinn, seen here in 2013, will perform April 20 in Edmonds. (Associated Press)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

R0ck ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Roger McGuinn, frontman of The Byrds, plans a gig in Edmonds in April.

Mother giving in to the manipulation her daughter fake crying for candy
Can children be bribed into good behavior?

Only in the short term. What we want to do is promote good habits over the course of the child’s life.

Speech Bubble Puzzle and Discussion
When conflict flares, keep calm and stand your ground

Most adults don’t like dissension. They avoid it, try to get around it, under it, or over it.

The colorful Nyhavn neighborhood is the place to moor on a sunny day in Copenhagen. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves: Embrace hygge and save cash in Copenhagen

Where else would Hans Christian Andersen, a mermaid statue and lovingly decorated open-face sandwiches be the icons of a major capital?

Last Call is a festured artist at the 2024 DeMiero Jazz Festival: in Edmonds. (Photo provided by DeMiero Jazz Festival)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Jazz ensemble Last Call is one of the featured artists at the DeMiero Jazz Festival on March 7-9 in Edmonds.

Kim Helleren
Local children’s author to read at Edmonds Bookshop

Kim Helleren will read from one of her books for kids at the next monthly Story Time at Edmonds Bookshop on March 29.

Chris Elliott
Lyft surprises traveler with a $150 cleaning charge

Jared Hakimi finds a $150 charge on his credit card after a Lyft ride. Is that allowed? And will the charge stick?

Inside Elle Marie Hair Studio in Smokey Point. (Provided by Acacia Delzer)
The best hair salon in Snohomish County

You voted, we tallied. Here are the results.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.