Many dads get tired of turning pages of parenting books which offer great lessons but can be quite monotonous and let’s face it, not a lot of fun. There are many movies which offer not only great entertainment but equally great parenting lessons. You can learn to handle awkward and difficult situations faced by the reel dads in the movies and apply it to your own life. Here are a few movie recommendations from our readers who have learned important parenting lessons from them. So sit back and relax with a bowl of popcorn and become a better dad.
“I loved ‘Yours, Mine and Ours’. Trial and error is a part of parenting. Start teaching kids right from wrong at an early age. And always be open and honest with them. As kids get older, they know when you are not being truthful with them, and they learn from what they see at home. And learn to ‘listen’ to your kids.”
– D, Pottstown, PA
“Parenthood by far was the defining film of the decade. Steve Martin rolled with the punches and dealt with stress of fatherhood gracefully. With a smile. “
– Thomas, Avondale, AZ
“Although the movie did not get good reviews, I would say Jersey Girl really taught dads about parenting. What Ben Affleck’s character discovers as a single dad after many trials and tribulations was that he loved his life (without his high stress/high prestige job)more because being a father to his daughter was the only thing he was really good at.”
-LJ, Carlsbad, CA
“‘For Keeps’ with Molly Ringwald. It was made in the 80’s and it shows a young, teenage couple that taking care of an infant is mostly hard work and responsibility, and not a job to be taken lightly. The actor who plays the teenage father (I forgot his name) takes fatherhood seriously, and does a great job, but the teenage girl has some trouble at first, but then figures it all out. It is a fabulous movie.”
-A, Winchester, MA
“I would have to go with Mrs. Doubtfire because Robin Williams character loved his children so much he would do anything to be with them, even become a woman. Great movie with a great ending.”
-Jerry, Middleton, WI
“I would pick Three Men and a Baby because it teaches in a humorous way and makes it ok to be a new dad with a lot of learning to do!”
– M, Sullivan, ME
“Little Miss Sunshine is what parenting is all about. Dad helps his daughter achieve her dream.”
-Buddy, Jefferson, KY
“Daddy day care”
– Joshua, Poplar Bluff, MO
“‘Mr. Mom’, it really is educational and practical.”
-Ed, Skokie, IL
“Father of the bride just a great movie!”
-John, Castle Rock, CO
“Chicken Little – because listening to your children is a must!”
-Rey, Albuquerque
“Hook, definitely. It showed me how I should not forsake my children, but I shouldn’t be the child I was before. I have to be the in between.”
-Daniel, Crestwood, KY