Sometimes, dads don't get enough credit for all that they do.
We've all seen fathers portrayed as lazy, absent, or immature in movies, tv shows, and commercials.
But this stereotype is largely outdated because there are plenty of dads out there that are just as active and involved in their kids' lives, like this Olympian's parent.
These days, dads want to be an equal parent and partner in crime with their wives, shattering long-held gender stereotypes.
Despite this, there are still plenty of people who still assume that dads are the less capable parent.
HowToBeADad blogger Charlie Capen experienced this judgement firsthand while his family was at the supermarket, and he was playing around with his kids to make them laugh.
After an onlooker made a patronizing comment, Capen took to the internet to pen his point of view about being a devoted dad despite people's assumptions.
Check out his full open letter below, advocating for all of the amazing dads out there.
[H/T: A Plus]
Being a loving husband, a doting father of two, and an author who has written about parenting in many major publications, Charlie Capen seems like he's probably a totally amazing parent.
But because society is still growing away from the idea of only mothers being the primary caretakers, dads everywhere are often written off as being the less capable parent.
They're also dismissed as being childish and unable to manage their children as efficiently as moms can.
Though there are thousands of dads out there that challenge that stereotype, there are also plenty of people that will write them off anyway.
Capen experienced this when a woman saw him and his kids playing around in a grocery store and made a bit of a patronizing comment to his wife, Avara.
Stunned by her immediate judgment, he did not speak his mind in the moment, but got a chance to say his peace later.
Via an open letter online, he penned his thought-provoking point of view on how dads are often written off as being absent or immature.
He also explained that traditional parent roles aren't as black and white as they used to be, and that plenty of dads out there that are challenging this outdated stereotype.
The post has been shared thousands of times, with plenty of people chiming in with their support and two cents.
Check below to read his thoughts about being a doting dad.
He writes:
"To the woman in the grocery store who came over to my wife while I was with my kids:
"I would like to apologize.
"You grinned, pointed at me, and asked my wife, 'Did you know you have three kids?'
"I stood there completely dumbfounded by the question and didn't even have the courtesy to respond to your patronizing words."
"I would like to take a minute and share my thoughts.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you that I love my kids, but don't consider myself one.
"I'm sorry you can't tell the difference between having a good time with your kids and being immature.
"I'm sorry if you think men are irresponsible or babysitters, but that's an outdated way of thinking.
"More than anything, I'm sorry for the men in your life who've convinced you of this idea."
"I've been writing about fatherhood for over five years now.
"I've made a living out of it, with articles on websites like Fast Company, BuzzFeed, Babble, Babycenter, Huff Post, but I couldn't string the right words together to correct your antiquated thinking.
"I've spoken at the White House about how fathers strip away gender bias and are great partners in fighting systemic sexism.
"I've become friends with thousands of fathers who do an even better job at speaking about their lives or their work evolving the face of men caring for their children."
"But all of this work hasn't made my job as a dad any easier.
"If anything, it's made it more complex.
"I'm examining my life, paying attention to doing it right. It's a weekly exercise in being honest with myself and about the world that my children face."
"So, I'm sorry if making my kids laugh in a public place warrants a snarky remark, but I need to teach them adults need some levity as the world faces some of its toughest battles ahead.
"I plan to keep laughing with them for as long as I live."
If you think we need more dads in the world like Capen, please SHARE his powerful words with friends and family!
