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Life

13th Jun 2019

A startling number of Irish dads feel under pressure to be the perfect parent

Bring your dad on a date this Father's Day.

Denise Curtin

It’s time we champion our great dads.

With Father’s Day on the horizon, a new study is highlighting the importance of giving your dad or your husband the gift of a date this Father’s Day to remind them that they’re doing just fine.

According to a new study conducted by Water Wipes, although Irish men can often be timid when it comes to speaking their mind, a startling 39 percent of them feel extremely pressured to be the perfect parent – with a further 40 percent of them admitting that they would refrain from opening up about their parenting struggles for fear of being judged.

The “This is Parenthood” campaign, a global research project aims to draw light to the fact that the men in our lives could be silently struggling from the pressures of parenthood or for not “living up” to the preconceived idea of what a perfect parent is.

So, in order to break the stigma and remind the leading men in our lives that they are doing a good job, Water Wipes wants to encourage conversation by bringing your dad or your husband on a dad date. Some one-to-one time to leave them to discuss any issues they’re facing or simply to give them an encouraging reminder that they’re killing it in our eyes.

Speaking about the new study, Irish personality Baz Ashmawy said:

“From personal experience, I know how the struggles of being a parent can weigh down on you but you must remember that you’re not in it alone and it’s good to talk to friends and family about the pressures you’re feeling. Jump in the car, grab your bike, go for a stroll or simply pick up the phone and give a pal a shout!”

@bashmawy Instagram

We couldn’t agree more.

Father’s Day takes place this Sunday, June 16.