10 Super Dads share their thoughts on fatherhood. Can you relate to any of them?

Daddy. Papa. Dada.

These are just some of the many ways our kids call the most important man in their life.

Being Daddy has never been easy to begin with, and every father is different in the way he chooses to raise his kids.

Despite these differences, there is one thing that all dads share in common: They love their kids with all their heart and would do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING to protect them, and make sure that they feel loved, secure and happy.

In celebration of Father’s Day, we got in touch with our amazing dad readers to share their thoughts on fatherhood, and here is what each of them had to say.

Click ‘Next’ to check out our gallery of Super Dads!

Lim Der Shing - The new stay-at-home dad

Lim Der Shing is the founder and CEO of JobsCentral Group, who recently made the move to embark on the journey of being a stay-at-home dad for the next 6 months.

He is the Super Dad to 3 amazing boys - Lim Tze Kang, 12; Lim Tze Kai, 10; and Lim Tze Kun, 5 - and is awaiting the arrival of the latest addition to the family, coming very soon!

When it comes to his parenting style, Der Shing draws inspiration from the way he was brought up by his father. According to this 38-year-old dad, his father would always try to strike a great balance between being strict and allowing him and his siblings to make their own choices.

But the one thing he truly cherishes is the fact that his father always had time for the family. "He would create routines like nightly suppers or monthly afternoon movies, which would allow everyone in the family to have time together," Der Shing shares.

He now does the same with his kids by making sure that he spends time with them, and setting some ground rules at home, which he and his wife expect the boys to follow.

Der Shing’s favourite part about being a dad:

"It’s mainly the small stuff! Like seeing them eat their favourite food happily, or holding their hand while walking (if they still let me). Basically, it’s all about the simple things that make them happy."

AJ Araneta - The loving single dad who's been through it all

Imagine going through a wonderful mix of joy and relief the moment your child is born - only to have all those feel-good moments taken away from you mercilessly in a flash a few days later.

That was what AJ Araneta had to go through 7 years ago, when he lost his wife due to an embolism merely 2 days after their baby girl, Tammi, was born.

The 37-year-old dad shared with us that after the fateful incident, he went through a 2-year bout of depression while trying to look for an explanation for his wife’s sudden demise.

It took him quite a while to pull himself up on his feet again, and he couldn’t have done it without the loving support of his family, church community friends and colleagues.

The years following that were like a roller coaster ride for AJ, as he dealt with the challenge of becoming both a father and mother to Tammi.

"I was so worried for myself, that the thought of taking care of a baby would just make me crumble and wither away to nothingness. In due time, I got used to things, and my fatherly instincts just took over," he added.

The hardest thing about being a single dad:

"Having to support Tammi alone both emotionally and financially. But I am lucky to have my father-in-law to turn to when I need fatherhood advice.

"I admire him for his ability to foresee things before they happen, and to plan and organise accordingly. I am thankful that he was there to support me when I was coping with the loss of my wife, and for staying strong for the sake of the family."

Kelvin Ang - The blogger dad we all love

37-year-old Kelvin Ang is the Super Dad behind the wildly popular blog, Cheekiemonkies. He is a financial planner by day, and moonlights as a daddy blogger at night - as he claims that he has "too much free time on his hands."

A man with many talents who acts as a part-time Super Hero to his 3 kids — Ashton, 9; Ayden, 7; and Alethea, 3 — Kelvin shares that his favourite part of being a dad is changing diapers.

However, he adds that he still finds it challenging to get this done when there is no changing room or table in sight.

What’s the one amazing thing that dads should know about parenthood?

"When your child looks at you with loving eyes and asks you to do something, the word ‘yes’ comes out before you even realise what is happening. The other awesome thing is that this is not at all emasculating; it is surprisingly quite enjoyable."

Sourabh Sharma - The entrepreneurial dad who's trying to change the world

Sourabh Sharma is the founder and CEO of Milaap, a mission-driven company that is changing the way people fund and impact the lives of those in need.

When he is not busy managing the good deeds of sponsors who wish to provide loans to help the working poor communities in India, the 32-year-old is a full-time Super Dad to his 1-year-old son, Krish.

Sourabh shared with us that the hardest part about being a dad is knowing that you are now responsible for the life of another person.

"Kids won’t do what you tell them to do — instead, they do what you do. So that’s why dads are often seen as role models who will ultimately shape the kind of person their kids turn out to be," he says.

What’s the one important lesson that all dads should teach their kids?

"To instill the right values to their kids. It is important to teach them to be humble and appreciate the things they have in their life."

Dominique De Smet - The long-distance dad who misses his little girl

No one desires to be a long-distance dad. Neither did 30-year-old Dominique De Smet, who moved to Asia with his family to pursue his career with an international logistics firm.

However, his chosen career path abroad did, in part, cost him his marriage. Hence the long-distance scenario.

An adoring father to his sprightly 6-year-old, he stays in touch with her via Skype and regular calls at least once a week.

He says, "I wish we could become closer, as it is hard to see my daughter grow so fast on the other side of the world.

"Even within a week she looks and acts differently. She left with her mum when she was just a small toddler."

Can you describe what it's like to be a long-distance dad?

"The biggest challenge I am having right now is missing those moments where you can play, cuddle and prepare your child for school.

Seeing families with kids at playgrounds, pools and parties is painful at times, as you know there is some part of you missing — not knowing what she is doing on a daily basis, like most other parents would know of their children."

What are your deep reflective thoughts as a father?

"I can only say, every father should enjoy having their kid(s) around, not only on this special day but throughout the year and your lifetime. Reflect on what your dad has done for you and who you’ve become today.

"It is important to be there for the little ones at any time of the day, no matter where you are. Time flies and we’ll never know where we are tomorrow…"

Now happily remarried, Dominique hopes to have an addition to his family and to finally be a ‘zero-distance’ dad!

Vinay Asdhir - The dad of multiples who adores his 3-year-old twins

Vinay Asdhir is the Director of Global Procurement at Dell and a Super Dad to 3-year-old twins, Renee and Vivaan. He shared with us that one of the things he looks forward to after a long day at work is to spend time with the twins, although it may be challenging at times to fit in one-on-one bonding time with each twin.

This 37-year-old dad may be at the peak of his career at the moment, but he emphasised that once one becomes a parent, spending time with the kids should trump everything else in life.

"Once the kids are all grown up and are charting their own path in life, [they] won’t have as much time to spend [with] their parents. So, it is important that we take the opportunity to spend time with them now, while they are still young," he shares.

When I need fatherhood advice, I turn to...

"My wife, Pooja. She and I discuss how we can be the best parents for our kids, and she certainly gives me sane advice more often than not!"

Sam Chow - The dad who is also a godfather

Sam Chow is a proud dad to 2 amazing kids — Leticia, 7, and Matthew, 3. This 41-year-old IT engineer is enjoying the fatherhood experience so much that he’s ‘extended’ his role by being the godfather of his friends’ son, Patrick.

Sam shared with us that both he and his wife got to know Patrick’s parents through the Rights of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) programme in church 10 years ago. From then on, a beautiful friendship was formed —and when Patrick made his debut into the world, his parents chose Sam to be their son’s godfather.

What’s the biggest challenge of being a godfather?

"On top of being responsible for how your own kids behave, you are also accountable to set a good example for your godchild. So you've really got to watch what you say and do, as there are kids under your care that will take after all that."

Andy Sma - The new dad who enjoys listening to his daughter's baby talk

Andy Sma is a business manager who works at a renowned media agency. He just joined the ‘Dads Club’ 2 months ago when his first child, Alyssa Sma, was born.

Andy shared that while his dad has inspired him the most in his life, when it comes to parenting issues, he turns to his buddies for advice — as most of them have also just started out as new dads.

Indeed, this new dad is enjoying every single moment with his daughter, and enjoys imagining what she could be saying when she rattles on in baby talk. "It looks like she’s in deep conversation with me," Andy enthuses.

Despite all the joys that parenthood brings, Andy realises that there are challenges that he’d need to tackle in the future - especially ones that involve Alyssa’s future.

Like all parents, he’d like to give her only the best in life. However, he also hopes to instill a sense of independence and discernment in her to make the right choices in life.

Andy’s message to other dads this Father’s Day:

"Happy Father’s Day you all! Enjoy all the little pleasures in being a dad!"

Zuber Mohammed - The dad-to-be who is eager to meet his baby girl

32-year-old Zuber Mohammed may have one of the coolest jobs in the world as the Head of Product Marketing of YouTube Asia Pacific, but things are about to get even more exciting for him and his wife, Mantazh, come next month.

The couple will be welcoming their first child — a baby girl — who is due to arrive on the 2nd of July. As a first time dad-to-be, Zuber is eager to meet his little girl and shower her with love and attention.

"She’s going to be a mini-version of my wife, whom I love dearly. Imagine having 2 BFFs!" he jokes.

What do you think would be the biggest challenge about being a dad?

"I think it will be challenging to find some alone time for my wife and I to do some of the things we love doing together... especially in the early months. Oh, and keeping myself from buying a shotgun once she grows up!"

On this very special day, Zuber would like to share this message with all you amazing dads out there:

"Keep calm and father on!"

My dad - The most amazing granddad ever!

To end this gallery that pays tribute to the most amazing dads out there, I’d like to dedicate this last slide to my one and only Super Dad!

My daddy may be a man of few words, and have set way too many rules that my brother and I were required to follow when we were younger (many which I didn’t agree with back then). But I have come to realise over the years that all these were done for our own good.

Today, his ‘job’ as Daddy may have been done and dusted — but he continues to be that loving pillar of strength to my 18-month-old daughter, to whom he is known as Grandpa.

Daddy is pretty much the hands-on granddad who helps out with diaper changes and feeding, and would gladly entertain my little one during her playtime while teaching her new things each day.

As we celebrate Father’s Day this weekend, I’d like to thank my Super Dad for being the amazing person that he is to me, and the super-cool granddad to my little energizer bunny!

Written by

Justina Goh

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