The internet can be a poisonous pit of desperation where people behave worst just because they can. But every now and then you manage to stumble into a little corner that warms your heart with real friendliness – and that’s what the “Do you need a dad for a minute?“Subreddit feels like.
This community of more than 30,000 members says they are there for you “If you need understanding, congratulations, praise or advice from a father figure, but don’t have an IRL who can or wants to offer it … We support you and love you unconditionally! “
And they are really there for you. Users come to this subreddit when they need a lift before an interview, when they want to share exciting news with someone who cares, when they want someone to be proud of them, when they are nervous about a first date, or when a DIY project goes astray. Here is such a contribution that’s stuck to me:
Hey dad, I was unable to work for the past few years, in 2021/2020 because of COVID and partly in 2019 because of my depression. Today I managed to get myself an interview with a concrete construction company, it’s tight and well paid. At first I was very excited, I’ve been working hard on my mental health for the past few weeks and I’ve even started exercising again. However, as the day wore on, my anxiety got worse. What if i can’t do the job? What if I am not strong enough? What if the people I work with don’t like me or I don’t like them? I know I have to believe in myself and hope for the best, but it’s been so long … what should I do? And do you have motivating things to say?
You just want to hug this guy and tell him everything is fine, right? This is exactly what three different fathers did, encouraging and giving advice. Here is one of those answers:
Son, you know I’ve worked in construction my whole life and I’m proud of you for getting this interview and ready to tackle this type of work. It’s not complicated, but it’s hard work. Good outdoor physical work that clears your mind and lifts your spirits like nothing else. You won’t be shoving around numbers on a spreadsheet and hiding in a boring booth hoping your boss won’t catch you on your phone. You are going to do something real. Something tangible. Every day you will go home knowing that you have helped create something solid and meaningful that will last for hundreds of years. You will be tired and your muscles will be sore and you will sleep like a baby. One day your children will bring your grandchildren to this website and say, “Your grandfather helped,” and they will be proud.
You won’t be able to get the job done at first. Nobody can. Nobody will care. They don’t expect that. All they expect is that you show up every day with a good attitude, willingness to try, and a willingness to learn. Trust me, by the time that is on your side you will already be vastly superior to most of the new people you see. Physical ability will come in time. And you know what? They want you to be successful. You need the help. You want to see new people hanging around and doing well. They knock you down and confuse you a bit, but this is construction work. This is how you know they like you. In time, you’ll do the same with the next new guy.
Now go in there Thursday and be honest with them. You will work hard. You will be there every day – no matter what. You want to learn, be successful and move up. They are not looking for magicians or rocket scientists. They are looking for people like you so just go to that interview and let them see who you are. They will eat it up.
G / O Media can receive a commission
As a bonus there is also a dad in the community (u / everydayanewday) who is a “Good morning, child“, In which he chats about the weather, what he eats for breakfast – and also gives life tips.
The whole atmosphere is reminiscent of the “Dad how can i? “Guy who went viral on YouTube last year for his videos about DIY projects that you wished you could learn from your dad but for some reason you can’t. He almost does now three and a half million subscribers and a published book that proves that there is a great need for a kind, fatherly figure in our (digital) lives.
