The 11 Types of Dads We All Know and Love

This dad wants nothing to do with the decision making in parenting, so his default response to his kids’ requests are “ask mom.” His offspring will undoubtedly learn in the future that using “Mom said yes,” on him will be 100 percent successful in getting them whatever they want.

The total bad cop — whether he wants to be or not — this dad wants his kiddos to play by the rules, and will enforce them no matter what. Eating vegetables, finishing homework, and turning off the TV after the first time he asks his kids are just a few of the nonnegotiable items on his list.

This dad is the ultimate playmate for a kiddo of any age, and he's probably a bit of a goofball. Whether he’s rolling around on the floor with his months-old tot or out in the backyard playing catch with his older kids, he’s always ready to start up a game.

No matter what kind of dad he is IRL, this dad is a hit on Twitter. Between his recounts of conversations with his #nofilter little ones to his relatable 140-character quips about fatherhood and parenting, this dad gets a thrill out of tweeting life’s little moments.

No matter what this dad is up to, whether his kids actually think it’s cool or not, he truly believes that he’s hip, down with the youth, and totally awesome. A regular Phil Dunphy, this dad means well, but usually the fact that he thinks he’s cool is ironic and totally backfires.

From day one of his kid’s life, this dad is ready to coach his baby through life by sharing all he knows of its wonders and how the world works. He’s a fountain of knowledge and is looking for any way to help his kids grow as humans, whether he’s an actual coach encouraging teamwork on the soccer field or a life coach giving them a pep talk before a big day at school.

The SAHD is always the talk of the dropoff line at school among the moms — he's the playdate master, the schedule-maker, the do-it-all dad. He bakes cookies, sets up craft projects, and makes lunches like a regular Martha Stewart. He’s a total super dad who loves being at home with his kids all day (except for when they're driving him insane, which is often, because kids).

Cue the eye roll at any given moment from this dad’s kids in response to his punny, awkward, almost-funny-because-they’re-SO-not-funny dad jokes. He doesn’t know where his “gift” comes from, but he’s able to dad joke through any situation parenting throws his way, and his kids secretly love it. (See: The "Cool" Dad)

This dad is happy to slip his kids a cookie under the table, give them an extra few minutes on the iPad, or let them buy a toy at the store. Although his kids love him no matter what, the happiness these little “don’t tell Mom” actions bring his kids is priceless to him (he's also just looking for cool points, because being the favorite parent is a coveted position not often discussed openly).

This dad is just a little bit lost when it comes to parenting, even though his common sense tries to steer him otherwise. He’s the guy that sends his kid to school in overalls without a shirt underneath or packs his child a lunch with a water bottle and a pack of cheese crackers. He’s doing his best, but he’s a little oblivious.

This dad won't let his kids worry about anything, he's got them covered. He's a regular Mr. Fix-It for everything from household tasks like installing his son’s bookshelves or putting together his daughter’s basketball hoop, and a total Homework King who can look at any subject and know how to help. He'll be the dad that takes his teen's car in for services when they start to drive and who does his 26-year-old's taxes with glee. What can he say, he's a dependable guy who's here to help — forever.