I refer to my husband as “Daddy,” but trust me, it’s not in the way you might be imagining.
When it’s just the two of us, he hears his actual name during our late-night chats once the kids are tucked in. But when the little ones are around, it’s all “Daddy, did you check the weather?” or “Daddy, what movie are we renting tonight?” and of course, “Daddy, I burned dinner again. Pizza again?”
This all kicked off when our first child arrived. We wanted our little one (and later, our second) to call us “Mommy” and “Daddy,” so we started using those terms for each other as well. Now, our kids have no qualms about shouting those names—often at the most inconvenient times, like when we’re trying to enjoy a moment of peace or, heaven forbid, use the bathroom.
But the habit of calling him “Daddy” has stuck around—and I’m actually quite pleased about it.
When women become moms, our identities weave together with motherhood, no matter how far we’ve come professionally. The same often isn’t true for men. In my experience interviewing leaders, I notice that while women tend to mention their roles as mothers without prompting, most men only bring it up if I ask directly.
There are countless reasons behind this, but a lot likely relates to the fact that many women juggle their careers with parenting, keeping their children at the forefront of discussions about their success. Meanwhile, men, especially older generations, often lean on their partners to tackle parenting.
That said, with the increasing number of stay-at-home dads, advocates for paternity leave, and fathers spending more quality time with their kids, things are changing. More men are embracing their roles as parents and recognizing that being a father is a significant part of who they are, rather than just a side note in their lives as professionals—whether they’re doctors, programmers, or taxi drivers.
In our household, my husband fully embraces his identity as a dad. Even though we still follow a more traditional 1950s model—him as the breadwinner and me handling most of the parenting—he contributes as much as he can. From bedtime stories to weekend dinners, baths, and shuttling the kids around, he’s involved in nurturing our children.
When I call him “Daddy,” it serves as a reminder for both of us that fatherhood is a huge, if not the most important, part of his identity today. And that’s something truly special.
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In summary, calling my husband “Daddy” is more than just a title; it’s a celebration of his role and identity as a father—a role that we both cherish and value deeply.