For many fathers, the moment they truly felt like a dad did not come at the birth or the first steps – but when their baby smiled at them for the first time. A poll of 1,500 dads found that 28% said the first time their child properly smiled at them made it feel real, leaving them feeling like 'the only person in the world'. For others, it was the instant they held their child in their arms – 21% said that was when they officially became a 'dad'. But the research, commissioned by Moonpig, also revealed that fatherhood is far more about everyday quietness than grand occasions: 89% of those surveyed agreed it is built on lots of small moments rather than major milestones.
The poll was released to coincide with a partnership between Moonpig and writer Daragh Fleming, who composed an original poem about his own father to mark Father's Day 2026. 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.' He added: '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.'
“A poll of 1,500 dads finds 89% say fatherhood is built on small everyday moments, not major milestones.”
It wasn't only the firsts that remained etched in fathers' memories – 'lasts' featured prominently as well. These included the final night their child spent at home before leaving (14%), the last occasion they collected them from the school gates (10%), and the final time their child wished to hold hands (12%). The findings also captured the moments that weren't entirely positive. Some fathers identified the most challenging times as learning to cope with other children being unkind (14%), managing tantrums (22%), or even dashing to hospital when they worried something was amiss (21%).
In later years, memorable occasions included attending graduations, escorting their daughter down the aisle, and delivering speeches at their children's weddings and significant birthdays – including their 21st and 30th. Some also mentioned the first pub visit together when they reached 18. New fathers, with youngsters aged up to four, reported they demonstrate affection most frequently – suggesting that while the moments may shift, the emotional weight of fatherhood only grows.