A new poll of 1,500 fathers has revealed that fatherhood is defined not by major milestones but by hundreds of small, everyday moments. The survey, commissioned by Moonpig, found that 89% of dads agree that fatherhood is built on these small memories rather than significant events.
Key Moments in Fatherhood
For many dads, the moment they held their child in their arms was when they officially became a 'dad' (21%). However, 28% said it was the first time their child properly smiled at them that made it feel real, making them feel like 'the only person in the world'. These memories have stayed with them ever since.
The study also highlighted the importance of 'lasts' – such as the last night their child spent at home before moving out (14%), the last time they stood at the school gates for pick-up (10%), and the last time their child wanted to hold hands (12%).
Challenges and Tough Times
Fatherhood is not always easy. The poll revealed tough moments like learning to navigate other children being mean (14%), handling tantrums (22%), and rushing to hospital when they feared something was wrong (21%).
Expressions of Love
New dads with children aged up to four show affection through playing games (30%) and helping them get ready in the morning (24%). As children grow, acts of care shift towards playing sport together (18%), investing in their hobbies (18%), and supporting their creativity (18%). Once children are adults, dads express love by offering lifts (15%) and always picking up the phone (20%).
Poem Collaboration
The study inspired a collaboration with writer Daragh Fleming, who penned an original poem about his own father for Father's Day 2026. Fleming said, 'Dads may not always say 'I love you' out loud, but they show it in a million other ways.' He emphasized the importance of expressing love, stating, 'Lately, I've been telling my Dad I love him when I see him, and he says it back, and we hug, and it's lovely, important, needed.'
What Makes a Hero Dad
The poll also revealed what dads believe makes a 'hero' in everyday family life: being present emotionally and physically (33%), showing up consistently (34%), and prioritizing quality time no matter how hectic life gets (30%).
Top 10 Key Moments During the Fatherhood Journey
- Watching them drift off to sleep on my chest and not daring to move a muscle.
- Helping them take their first wobbly steps on their own.
- That very first real smile that made me feel like the centre of the universe.
- Guiding them as they found their feet, only to realise they no longer needed me to hold on.
- The first time I managed to soothe them with nothing more than a hug and the sound of my voice.
- Being the one they came running to whenever they got hurt.
- Staying up through the night when they were under the weather.
- Hearing them say they love me completely out of nowhere.
- A moment when they reached out to hold my hand in public.
- That very first school drop-off.
Kristof Fahy from Moonpig said, 'Every dad has a special recipe of moments and qualities that contribute to who he is. From the first moment we meet our little bundle of joy, the life of a dad is forever changed and full of ups, downs, and in-betweens that become cherished memories later on.'
