Dads share the defining moments of fatherhood - including the first real smile

Dads share the defining moments of fatherhood - including the first real smile Fathers say it’s the everyday moments, not big milestones, that define parenting, from the first cuddle and proper smile to the 'lasts' that creep up as children grow. Fathers have opened up about the defining moments in their parenting journey – from carrying their newborn out of hospital for the first time to watching them grow up and start families of their own. A survey of 1,500 dads revealed that 89% agreed fatherhood is shaped by countless small moments rather than grand milestones. A fifth (21%) pinpointed the moment they first held their child in their arms as the instant they truly became 'dad'. Meanwhile, 28% said it was the first time their child gave them a proper smile that made them feel like 'the only person in the world', a memory that has stayed with them ever since. The study was commissioned by Moonpig, and sparked a collaboration with writer Daragh Fleming, who penned an original poem about his own father to celebrate Father's Day 2026. Daragh Fleming said: "Generally, I don't think men are comfortable saying 'I love you' to each other. I know for me it's easier to say it to my mother than my father. And I'm trying to challenge that in my own life. "Dads may not always say 'I love you' out loud, but they show it in a million other ways - these everyday actions inspired my poem. "The main messages I wanted to convey were the gratitude I feel to my dad and to assure him I never take for granted everything he's done to help me, no matter how small it might seem. "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." The 'lasts' also featured prominently among the most significant moments, including the final night their child spent at home before leaving (14%), the last time they collected them from the school gates (10%), and the last occasion they wanted to hold hands (12%). The findings also capture moments that weren't plain sailing, such as learning to handle other children being unkind (14%), dealing with tantrums (22%), or even dashing to hospital when they feared something was amiss (21%). Later moments included attending graduations, walking their daughter down the aisle, and delivering speeches at their children's weddings, 21st, and 30th birthdays – as well as that first trip to the pub when they turned 18. New fathers, with youngsters aged up to four, most frequently demonstrate their affection through playing games (30%) and helping them prepare for the day ahead each morning (24%). However, as children mature, gestures of care evolve towards playing sports together (18%), supporting their hobbies and interests (18%), and nurturing their creativity (18%). Once they're officially 'adults', dads show their love by being available to provide lifts wherever needed (15%) and always answering the phone, regardless of the circumstances (20%), according to the OnePoll.com data. These feelings were echoed in what they consider makes a 'hero' in day-to-day family life - doing their utmost to be present, both emotionally and physically (33%), turning up consistently (34%), and making quality time a priority, no matter how busy life becomes (30%). Kristof Fahy from Moonpig, which has created two cards featuring Daragh’s work, that form part of its unique Father’s Day range this year, 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. "As Daragh's beautiful poem describes it, fatherhood is a 'masterpiece' that we all paint in our own unique way. "Whilst no two fatherhood stories are the same, we wanted to celebrate every kind of dad's story this year." 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.