I still remember my first Father’s Day like it was yesterday. Well, kind of—it’s all a bit of a blur between diaper changes, sleepless nights, and that moment I realized I could survive on coffee and whatever leftovers my kid didn’t finish.
Being a dad in Korea has been an adventure, from navigating baby-wearing culture on the subway to learning that kids here go from bottles to chopsticks faster than I could figure out how to properly hold them myself.
Now, seven years in, I’ve been promoted from New Dad to Seasoned Dad, which mostly means I’ve mastered the art of pretending I know what I’m doing. My son, who once fit in the crook of my arm, is now a full-speed, Taekwondo-kicking, kimchi-loving tornado of energy.
Fatherhood is equal parts chaos and magic, and if you’re celebrating your first Father’s Day this year—buckle up, because you’re in for the ride of your life.
To help you mark the occasion (and to remind you that all dads, no matter where we are in the world, are in this together), here are 77+ quotes about the rollercoaster of being a dad for the first time.
Some of these heartfelt wishes are hilarious, but all of them capture the crazy, sleep-deprived joy of fatherhood. Happy Father’s Day, rookie dads—you’ve got this!
Heartfelt First Father’s Day Quotes
- “Your first Father’s Day Card is just the beginning of a lifetime of love, laughter, and dad jokes.”
- “Holding your child for the first time is when you truly understand what the greatest gift is.”
- “Fatherhood is the only job where your boss drools on you and steals your sleep, but you wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
- “The first time your new baby smiles at you, is the most special moment you can dream of.”
- “A father’s love begins before his child is even born and lasts long after he’s gone.”
- “This Father’s Day, remember: You may not have all the answers, but to your child’s life, you’re the coolest dad ever.”
- “The smallest hands can hold a special place in a father’s heart.”
- “Every superhero needs an origin story-it’s the perfect time to create yours, Dad.”
- “From late-night cries to early-morning snuggles, this is the adventure of a lifetime.”
- “A dad’s arms may be strong, but the special bond he has with his kids is even stronger.”
More First Father’s Day Quotes
Funny First-Time Wonderful Dad Quotes
- “Welcome to fatherhood! Your new hobbies include burping, swaddling, and surviving on no sleep.”
- “Congratulations, Dad! You’ve officially traded in your free time for diaper duty.”
- “Fatherhood: where you finally understand why your own dad always fell asleep on the couch.”
- “The first time you get peed on, you know you’ve officially arrived as a dad.”
- “Dads don’t lose sleep… they just take naps in random places.”
- “They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but have you tried a well-timed pacifier?”
- “Your first Father’s Day: when you realize you now measure success in ounces of milk and hours of sleep.”
- “You haven’t truly lived until you’ve been woken up at 3 AM by a tiny dictator demanding milk.”
- “Fatherhood: where you discover that ‘me time’ is just time spent hiding in the bathroom.”
- “Welcome to the only club where being covered in spit-up is a sign of love.”
Inspirational Best Dad Quotes
- “A great father isn’t born—he grows, learns, and loves more each day.”
- “Your child doesn’t need a perfect dad, just one who shows up with love every day.”
- “The world may see an ordinary man, but to your child, you are a hero.”
- “Your child will remember the love, not the mistakes. Just keep being a great teacher.”
- “Fatherhood isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about being a student along your own child.”
- “Being a dad isn’t about what you bring to your child, but what they bring to you.”
- “Every father’s greatest legacy is the love he gives his children.”
- “A dad’s love is the foundation on which his child builds their bright future.”
- “The best way to raise a strong child is to be the role model you want them to look up to.”
- “Fatherhood: the art of making memories that last longer than a lifetime.”
More First Father’s Day Message
- “Nothing prepares you for fatherhood, and yet nothing else feels more natural.”
- “A child may outgrow your arms and hugs, but they will never outgrow your soul and heart.”
- “You’ll never forget the first time those little fingers wrap around yours.”
- “Becoming a father is the moment your heart learns how to walk outside your body.”
- “Before you were a dad, you never knew your heart could be this full.”
- “Fatherhood is proof that love multiplies, never divides.”
- “The tiniest hearts leave the biggest impressions on your being.”
- “One day, your child will look up at you the way you once looked up at your own father.”
- “Being a First-time father: when you realize you’re living among the most wonderful things ever imagined.”
- “A father’s love may be silent, but it echoes in his child’s heart forever.”
Happy Father’s Day Quotes
- “Dad: A title earned, not given.”
- “Tiny hands, big love.”
- “A dad’s love lasts a lifetime.”
- “You are your child’s first hero.”
- “Welcome to the best job you’ll ever have.”
- “Your little girl may be small, but your love is endless.”
- “First-Time Dad: the start of something amazing.”
- “Dads: Making messes, making memories.”
- “The best part of fatherhood? Every part.”
- “Being a dad is life’s greatest adventure.”
The Right Words About the Journey of Parenthood
- “Fatherhood is not about perfection, but about presence.”
- “The days may be hard work, but the years will feel like a single day—enjoy every moment.”
- “One day, your child won’t need you to hold their hand, but they will always need your heart.”
- “First Father’s Day: when you realize life has never felt this full.”
- “Fatherhood is the only job where your paycheck comes in giggles and hugs.”
- “The best dads aren’t born, they’re made—one diaper change at a time.”
- “There’s no manual for fatherhood, but love is the only instruction you need.”
- “One day, the late nights and early mornings will just be stories you cherish.”
- “Fatherhood is an adventure where the guidebook is written in love.”
- “The best father figure doesn’t just raise kids; they raise the future fathers and husbands.”
First Father’s Day Quotes-Cont..
Quotes From Baby to Dad (Cute & Funny)
- “Dear Dad, thanks for being my human pillow.”
- “I may be tiny and cute, but my love for you is HUGE!”
- “Happy First Father’s Day! Now get ready for sleepless nights forever!”
- “I drool because I love you, Dad.”
- “Dad, you’re my first favorite person.”
- “Without you, I wouldn’t be here. Literally.”
- “I love you more than CocoMelon… and that’s saying a lot!”
- “You’re doing great, Dad! Now please pass the milk.”
- “First Father’s Day: I cry, you fix it. That’s how this works, right?”
- “I might not say ‘Appa’ yet, but I’m thinking it!”
Bonus First Father’s Day Quotes
- “Fatherhood is messy, chaotic, and exhausting—but it’s also the best thing ever.”
- “First Father’s Day: When you realize a tiny person now runs your life.”
- “Being a dad is the best reason to grow up without ever growing old.”
- “You don’t just become a father; you become the world to someone small.”
- “Fatherhood: Because superheroes don’t always wear capes.”
- “A dad’s heart is never empty—it just makes more room for love.”
- “Your child doesn’t care how much money you make, only how much love you give.”
- “One day, your baby will call you ‘Dad’—and that will be the best title you’ll ever have.”
Fatherhood: The Wildest, Most Amazing Ride
If you’ve made it this far—both in this post and in your first round of fatherhood—congrats! You’re officially part of the amazing dad club, where the dress code is sweatpants, the soundtrack is a mix of giggles and tantrums, and the rewards come in the form of sleepy snuggles and sticky high-fives.
Raising my son here in Korea has taught me that fatherhood doesn’t come with a manual—just a whole lot of trial and error, patience, and a deep appreciation for nap time (his and mine).
No matter where you are in the world, being a dad is about showing up, loving hard, and embracing the chaos and all the little things in between.
So whether this is your very first Father’s Day or you’re just here reminiscing about the newborn days, I hope these inspirational quotes made you smile. Now, go enjoy your special day, maybe sneak in a well-earned nap, and remember—you’re doing an awesome job, Gents.
Happy Father’s Day!
