40+ Times Parents Were So Wholesome That They Made Ours and Their Kids’ Day

Raising a child is filled with beginnings — their first smile, their first step, their first word. Every experience is a brand new one that is to be cherished and explored together. But, some beginnings are also a lot harder than you’d expect.

That first day of school, when they suddenly feel all grown up and you have to learn to let go, can be extra difficult for a loving parent. This dad has clearly got it handled perfectly. With a father like this, this kid will always know he’s loved and missed.

Kids love their stuffed animal toys. It seems, though, that they’re not the only ones! This poster has shared how their dad still walks around with the adorable stuffed beluga whale that they gave him so many years ago.

The choice of animal might be a bit strange to us, but we still think this dad and his emotional support toy are absolutely adorable. It seems that even after 20 years of being a dad, he still misses his kid sometimes and needs a stuffed whale hug.

Parenting is a mostly thankless task. Most of that effort takes years and years to actually pay off — by seeing your kid grow into an adult that actually implements your hard-taught lessons. That’s why it’s so important to appreciate the little things.

This mom has found all the payment she needs in her little boy’s smile, and we can’t think of a better currency! This sweetness is definitely worth every hardship and difficulty along the way!

Our teen and young adult years are often a difficult time of uncertainty in the pursuit of self-discovery and of purpose. What many of us need during this time is a strong and encouraging support system — with our parents at the center of it.

This dad definitely knows how to reassure his kid that they’re on the right track, no matter what it is. Beyond how heartfelt and heartwarming this compliment is, it’s also providing some pretty great advice to a struggling kid. We love your dad, too!

There are many ways for parents to show their children how much they love them. They can give them hugs and kisses. They can play and teach them. Or (and this is one of our favorites) they can save a childhood memento from their kids.

This loving dad found a fantastic way to have a reminder of his kid wherever he goes. Just like a wedding ring is a reminder of the promise of marriage, this keychain ring is a promise to always keep his kid in his heart.

Being a single parent can often feel like an endless uphill battle, just trying to stay afloat and doing your best to fulfill the roles of two parents at the same time. It’s an incredibly intricate braid of responsibilities.

A bit like the beautiful braid this dad learned how to create in his daughter’s hair! Just from this, you can tell that he’s truly doing his best to be there for his kid in the best way possible, even if it means learning a few new skills in the process.

Families are a complicated thing. But, that’s not always a bad thing. It means that people can turn from just a group of people into a family in all sorts of wonderfully diverse ways. A wonderfully touching way is through adoption.

You can just tell from this photo how much this adoptive dad cares for his now-lawful son! The love and happiness shining in both their eyes from realizing they’ve both found their family is absolutely heartwarming!

One of the most wholesome shows we had growing up was The Suite Life of Zack and Cody on the Disney Channel. Much of that is thanks to the parental role that Mr. Mosby took upon himself when it came to the kids in the hotel.

While he had already helped his adopted daughter get her license on the show, Phill Lewis (who played Mr. Mosby) proudly shared that his real daughter can finally drive! We’re sure London Tipton would be just as proud as he is!

Some of the most wholesome parents out there are definitely those who celebrate their children’s achievements and accomplishments while still being aware and acknowledging the hard work and hardships that were part of that process.

In this case, though, both these kings should be celebrated! Being a single father to a young man is no easy task, but this dad does it with passion, love, and a whole heap of caring. This is truly a moment to be treasured!

@PhillyD just perfectly explained why we find these parents to be so wholesome! Just like him, they all know that taking on the role of parent with love and joy is one of the best ways to raise happy, kind kids.

We’re sure his fancy-looking son will agree that having a dad that is all-in when it comes to the highs and lows of raising a child is the best feeling ever. That’s one very lucky kid.

We love seeing parents approaching parenting difficulties with love, empathy, and a dash of humor. Especially when it’s the height of humor — the dad joke! If we were this kid we’d definitely feel better after getting this wholesome card.

Can we just point out how beautifully this dad validated his son’s feelings of anger and frustration and gave him ways to deal with them at the same time? That’s some impressive parenting! Well done, dad!

Amazingly, parents can be wholesome even long after they’re gone! They’re such a massively important part of our lives, that even after they pass away, their quirks and interests stay with us and remind us of their love for us.

This dad certainly found a unique way to stay a part of his children’s lives even after his passing. Hopefully, his little symbol of good luck rubbed off on his kids too. If this doesn’t warm your heart, we don’t know what will.

Much of parenthood is a thankless task where you only get to see the results of your mostly unappreciated labor years later. Yet, perhaps because of that, it requires a unique level of selflessness. Just look at what this father did.

Spending nearly an hour in this position could not have been comfortable at all. But, this dad did it — knowing that it would make his daughter’s flight even just a little better. We hope he got a “thank you” hug once they landed.

What’s better than going to the local Renaissance Fair, dressing up, playing games, and seeing the cool shows? Doing all of that in your amazingly creative grandparents’ backyard! That way you’re surrounded by people you love. Plus, there are no lines or crowds anywhere.

Seriously, these grandparents are incredible for creating this amazing fun day for their grandkids and giving their actual child a bit of a vacation! This setup must have taken hours of thought and effort that they were only too happy to put in to make sure everyone enjoyed their day at the Ren Fair.

Repeat after us — you’re never too old to be loved and cared for by your parents! Just ask your own parents, they’ll tell you that it doesn’t matter if you’re five or 50, you’ll always be their baby.

This poster even has proof of that with the snacks they received in the mail! We always knew that love was as sweet as a Pop-Tart. With all the sugar in this package, this poster isn’t likely to forget that sentiment any time soon.

One of the most wholesome trends the internet has produced in recent years has to be recreating old childhood photos as adults. This submission to the trend has to be one of the cuter ones we’ve seen.

What a wonderful way to celebrate a birthday — by looking back to how it started. Clearly, these two still have the incredible connection that they shared when the son was born. What a beautiful memory to cherish, twice!

As every good scientist knows, a hypothesis is nothing without some hands-on experimentation to check the validity of your claim. This four-year-old’s dad made sure his kid is all ready to take on CalTech by storm.

This is certainly one wholesome and funny way to entertain your toddler when you’re currently the only semi-responsible adult around. If dad is in charge of teaching physics, does that mean mom has taken on bioengineering lessons?

When we’re young, we rely on our parents to help us with anything and everything, especially when it comes to school work. But, as we grow up, we also kind of grow out of their knowledge comfort zone.

Of course, that’s natural, especially when we go to university and learn about things they might have never even heard of. Still, this mom is willing to work extra hard to support her daughter in her education, even if it means reading complete gibberish.

Do you know what the ‘80s and ‘90s kids had instead of a sweet cat or a lazy dog? We had virtual pets, in the form of Tamagotchis! Honestly, though, as children, they definitely felt as time-consuming as real animals.

The fact that this mom kept her daughters’ tech pets alive and well for them is definitely proof of her endless love for her children. We do hope that she also found some enjoyment in taking care of these toys.

Here’s one surefire way to make sure your kid will be a comics (and tigers) fan for life — name him after a cartoon character and give him an awesome stuffed sidekick/best friend/adventure buddy.

Hopefully, this kid will be just as philosophically savvy and as hilariously wild as his fictional counterpart. Judging by the amount of effort that was put into this Hobbes doll, it seems that at least grandma is excited to meet her brand new grandkid.

This parent’s post is doubly precious, in our opinion! Firstly, they clearly spent a ton of time and effort in creating this masterpiece of a costume! This looks like a professional film outfit and that’s amazing!

Secondly, they are absolutely ecstatic that their son wants to dress up for Halloween as a girl character! Truthfully, cosplay and costumes shouldn’t have any gender, and this parent clearly gets that.

The best parents are always there to help and support you every step of the way — on your best days and your worst. But, each loving parent has their own unique way to show that much-needed encouragement.

This dad is clearly the creative type. Using a 3D printer to create an adorably tiny elephant to help your kid out of a funk certainly requires quite a bit of artistic flair. Honestly, we think he should sell those little guys to every teen to have while they study.

With the housing market so wild in recent years, many young people choose to stay with their parents as it’s bound to be cheaper, even if they’re asked to chip in with rent and utilities.

This mom, though, went above and beyond. Not only did she teach her son how to properly manage his spending when he was young, but she has also now taught him the value of investing — both time and money — in your loved ones!

A parent’s first and most important job (other than making sure their kid has everything they need to survive and possibly thrive), is to teach their kid how to be an independent adult in the future. For those planning on driving, car maintenance should definitely be one of those lessons.

This dad isn’t only making sure his kid knows what to do in case he needs to change a tire, but he also does it in a way that builds up his son’s confidence and encourages him. This is what manhood is all about.

Sometimes, the best bonding opportunities between parents and their kids happen by happy accident — and if you don’t learn to notice and appreciate them when they come along, you might miss out on an incredible memory.

These two are definitely good at seeing and appreciating those special moments together. We just love how what might have been an inconvenience has turned into an amazing experience for both of them. So sweet!

We all need a kind ear and some good advice every once in a while, especially from our parents. An unlikely place to find that has to be the internet, where wholesome life advice is often overshadowed by so much bad content.

After reading this, we’ll definitely be working hard to find kind and sweet life partners that would make our adoptive internet dad proud! This man is clearly a national treasure and should be loved and appreciated forever.

Courage comes in a lot of forms, and it’s a parent’s job to make sure that their kid knows when courage means being daring, and when it means being cautious. In both cases, though, bravery really just means being true to yourself and your needs.

This dad definitely knows how to make sure his child is comfortable making the best decision for themself, whatever it may be. We absolutely agree with Glennon — this is some good parenting!

If there’s one thing in life we can rely on, it’s how steadfast good parents are. No matter where you are or what you need, they’ll be there with a kind word and a warm hug. Or, with a car to take you home from the airport…

While it seems that @Mudraaah isn’t all that great at picking boyfriends, she’s definitely gotten lucky in the parent department. We absolutely love that he was there, just on the off chance that his kid did end up needing him.

Family game night is a beloved and cherished tradition in many families. While some have a cool and light approach to it, other families can get seriously competitive about the whole thing. Clearly, this dad is really passionate when it comes to winning.

We bet this kid suggested a game their dad has never played in the hopes of finally winning against their seriously competitive father. This dad, however, has come prepared to beat his kid in a perfectly friendly game of Risk.

Weddings are definitely some of the most emotional times for both the couple getting married and their families. So, this time of elevated emotions is a great occasion to be reminded of how loved you are by your parents.

Thanks to this wonderful photographer, this bride and her father can forever cherish the amazingly beautiful and touching moment when he saw his little girl in her wedding dress for the first time. We just love the sheer joy that this photo captures.

Some parents are harsh and disciplined, others are soft and encouraging, and some turn into complete goofballs the moment they hold their baby for the very first time. This dad clearly fits into that last category.

Beyond looking absolutely hysterical in their twin banana suits (anyone else getting Bananas in Pajamas flashbacks?), this daddy-daughter duo is absolutely adorable! After all, a family who cosplays as fruit together sticks together.

In the summer heat, one of the best ways to get your kids to cool off is to get them a little blow-up pool for the backyard. Thankfully, most convenience stores carry them during the hot months.

But, if you really want to make a splash in your neighborhood, getting this amazing kiddie pool is definitely the way to go. Just look how excited this kid is to hose down any imaginary fire that comes their way!

Families are often complicated, with some members choosing to leave while others opt to stick around. This complexity can often lead a child to feel unwanted and unloved. Thankfully, this girl had someone who decided to hang on tight.

We love that she understands the gravity and importance of the choice that her stepdad made in being her dad and loving her as if she was his biological daughter. Thank you to all the amazing step-parents out there!

Celebrating the holidays on your own for the first time can take some serious adjustments. Especially, when you just aren’t able to recreate those precious childhood holiday memories without your family.

This poster’s mom, though, simply refused to let her kid give up on some much-needed holiday cheer. She managed to bring a little Christmas magic to her kid in an incredibly beautiful and wholesome way.

It seems like having your own kid to suddenly deal with brings about basically every childhood trauma that you’ve had and been working very hard to ignore. It can be especially hard to rewire how to respond to mistakes when you were never allowed to make any.

This mom is clearly very proud of her calm and loving response to her kid making a terrible mess — as she absolutely should be! While it’s a long, uphill battle to detangle this past pain, this woman is clearly willing to put in the work!

It seems that it’s not just parents and grandparents that can be super wholesome adult role models for people. Parents-in-law are just as sweet and loving toward their children-in-law, and we absolutely love to see that!

This mother-in-law went above and beyond to make sure her son-in-law stayed warm, despite the cold weather. The fact that she knitted those fuzzy socks herself is just the cherry on top of an already pretty wholesome cake.

The best parents find ways to spend time with their children, even when it feels almost impossible to make the time. A favorite shared hobby in families is reading with a parent. This father didn’t give up on his story duties even far from home.

We love that he didn’t care that everyone around in the waiting area could hear him make silly voices as he read to his kids through the phone. This is a man who knows what the most important thing at that moment is!

It seems that parents don’t just suddenly stop worrying about you the second you turn 21. In fact, if they could, they would probably do their best to keep their eyes on you until you’re 100!

Looks like the only family member that ended up being strong enough to stay up so late was the cat! We do appreciate these parents doing their best to ward off sleep just a little longer. Aren’t they absolutely adorable?

When you’re strapped for cash, birthdays can feel like a huge burden, especially when there’s an expectation of big gifts and other fancy treats. But, the truth is that real birthday joy comes from having your friends and family surround you with love.

This dad definitely understands this truth. The effort to make his kid’s big day special absolutely counts more than any store-bought cake could have! Plus, that cake is seriously impressive — he has a bright future in cake-making!

We all need a hand to hold or a security blanket to hug at times. Yes — even adult parents. So, what’s a better comfort item than one made by a loving family member, especially a child?

It certainly helped this dad fight through his fear of flight — and for 43 years no less! We just can’t get over what a beautiful symbol of love this little doll is for both the father and his now-adult child.

For those of us who have a pet, that sweet little animal can become such a major part of our world that it’s practically a member of our family. That means they should be just as celebrated as anyone else.

This doggy’s grandparents definitely went all out to celebrate their grand-dog’s birthday with friends, treats, and even some party favors and decorations! How can we get an invite to sweet creature’s next birthday?! This looks absurdly fun!

It isn’t always easy for parents to keep track of their kids’ current obsessions. But, in the case of those yellow little cartoon characters, it’s been hard to miss how excited every kid in the world gets over them.

This dad took his kid’s love extremely seriously and created matching costumes for them to wear to the movies! How adorable are these two? They better win a costume contest with the thought and effort that was put into these! Did you see their goggles!?

Have we already said that grandparents are the best? They’re basically super parents because they’ve been through the whole process at least twice — once with their kid, and then with their kid’s kid! This grandpa is definitely willing to go all out for his granddaughter.

We love his absolute commitment to authenticity by growing his own bushy white beard instead of getting some fake facial hair! This little girl is going to have the best Christmas ever after she sees this!

Our baby clothes might not mean all that much to us, but they hold a special place in our parents’ hearts. It reminds them of when we were brand new to the world and didn’t talk back to them.

Joking aside, this dress must have been incredibly sentimental for this poster’s mom, if she had kept it for so many years — and in such good condition, too. It must have been incredibly touching to see her grandkid wear that same outfit!

A great technique to motivate kids is to turn things, like chores or homework, into a game. But, with a family like this, it seems that every day is a joyful game!

This dad definitely knows how to make loving each other fun! Plus, it must have been really fun for this mom to see all her boys run toward her at break-neck speeds. This is one race where everyone’s the winner!