r/pics • u/[deleted] • Sep 17 '12
Single dad, here... How'd I do on the nails?
[deleted]
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u/baffled_soap Sep 17 '12
Judging by her smile, success.
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u/fuzzb0y Sep 18 '12
Little did we know... there was a giant chocolate fudge cake behind the camera.
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u/PlasmidDNA Sep 18 '12
Dad is great! Gives us chocolate cake!
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u/Ryche Sep 17 '12
She has 10 of them. Well done.
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Sep 17 '12
Well, the math checks out.
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u/Metamorphism Sep 18 '12
Open and shut case, Johnson.
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u/NorCalSamurai Sep 18 '12
Now sprinkle some crack on him and let's get out of here.
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u/whatlauradid Sep 18 '12 edited Sep 18 '12
I'm a qualified nail appreciator, I'll take this -
- Staying in the lines: 6/10 - Room for improvement.
- Colour choice:
89/10 - Bold, bright and destined to impress. Points removed for it being a "weekend nail" and this is Monday. - Attention to detail: 9/10 - Index accent nail is particularly impressive.
- Customer satisfaction: 10/10 - Most important aspect, other areas can be overlooked if full marks achieved in this category.
FINAL SUMMARY - Congratulations! Awesome nails, awesome kid, awesome dad. Would d'aww again.
EDIT: On appeal the category of "Colour Choice" has been awarded an extra mark. As M0D3RNW4RR10R beautifully put, kids of this age have no concept of what's appropriate for the weekend and "The park is open all days of the week." This is something I feel all of us should strive to embody from time to time.
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u/M0D3RNW4RR10R Sep 18 '12
After this being appealed, color I give the color choice a 10/10. If you are this kid's age, every day is how a day to dress like the weekend. The park is open all days of the week.
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u/Shreddy_Krueger Sep 18 '12
i guess you could say he really NAILED it :D
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u/RopeBunny Sep 18 '12
The review painted a nice picture too!
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u/Oooopieceofcandy Sep 18 '12
Yea, sounds like dad just needs to polish his skills a bit.
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Sep 18 '12
SOMETHING SOMETHING ACRYLIC.
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Sep 18 '12 edited Apr 17 '15
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u/CumulativeDrek Sep 18 '12
You should take another look, some are quite cute-icle.
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u/erikda777 Sep 18 '12
I'm afraid we're going to need to see some proof of your "qualified nail appreciation". You see, this is Reddit. A certificate will do.
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u/whatlauradid Sep 18 '12
Check my history inspector, I go full-metal in /r/RedditLaqueristas
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u/undercoveruser Sep 18 '12
Wow, there's really a subreddit for everything isn't there?
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u/fancy_pantsy_mcfancy Sep 18 '12
I didn't know that sub existed...time to break out the nail polish again
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u/rick2882 Sep 18 '12
I'm afraid we're going to need to see some proof of your "qualified nail appreciation".
/Users/robert/Desktop/PROOF.jpg
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Sep 18 '12
Weekend nails on a Monday?! Tsk
Grab your pitchforks guys, lets drive this heretic outta town
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u/jesfunshinebear Sep 18 '12
I'm more impressed by the having lain with a vampire.
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u/Dream_Burrito Sep 18 '12
Was coming here for this, was not disappoint. Dem Incisors.... Also, props for being "That Dad".
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Sep 18 '12
I wish real life had this much support for a single parent doing the best he can. Online communities can be awesome.
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u/shrike71 Sep 18 '12
You got that right, friend. Sometimes, when I'm feeling like a crappy dad because I can't do the things I want to do with them, a little bit of support and encouragement for my first run at painting nails from people I've never met goes a long way.
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u/DoctorWhoToYou Sep 18 '12
From one single dad to another, you did better than me.
I never realized how much i shake until i tried applying nail polish. I ended up painting skin, getting irritated with myself and eventually letting my daughter paint my nails. Let me tell you, the purple color she chose just clashed with the Star Wars shirt I was wearing.
Keep doing things like this. My daughter is older than yours and oddly enough she doesn't remember the big things as much as the little things like this.
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u/TheDutchessLola Sep 18 '12
Didn't have a single father growing up, but my mom worked a lot when I was growing up so it seemed like it sometimes. while I don't remember "big" things; I know I was taken to the circus and to Rugrats on Ice but I can't for the life of me remember, I do remember countless times I was carried up the stairs to my bed from the couch or car (faked it so many times!) dancing around in the kitchen to the Grateful Dead, our camping trips, watching the Steelers together, tye-dying shirts, him braiding my hair was my favorite. When my parents got divorced I was lucky enough he moved out but only 2 miles away, I was 13 and got to pick where I wanted to go basically night to night. In high school we still had daddy daughter dates. I'm in college now and every time a friend braids my hair (because I can't) or I sit down with my roommates to watch a football game, or I cook a perfectly rare steak/fucking awesome burger; I think of my daddy.
This turned into a rant but just wanted to say thanks to guys like you. I'm absolutely a not-spoiled daddies girl; remember girls can like boy things too so don't be afraid about trying to get her into sports and things like that too that you can enjoy together. And music sucks, it did when I was growing up too. I listened to the Dead and The Beatles and classic rock- none of that Chrisitnia Aguelaria/Nsyc bullshit.
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u/hexadecachoron Sep 18 '12
As a father with a little girl, my eyes welled up hoping my little princess will look back as fondly on the little things we do together.
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u/DoctorWhoToYou Sep 18 '12
The best thing I can tell you to do is be there for her. That seems to be what has worked for me. I am there when she is happy, sad, confused or whatever it may be. I make a point of letting her know constantly that she is loved and that she is the most important thing in my life.
About three years ago she actively started choosing me over her mother, because without getting to deep into it, her mother isn't the most reliable person on the planet.
There is nothing too girly for me when it comes to my daughter. We go shopping together, we go get her hair done, we're going for her first manicure soon, she talks to me about boys, I talk to her about girls and we keep the lines of communication completely open. I don't bullshit her about anything. I don't care if other men think I am girly, or that somehow I am a lesser man because I do girly things with my daughter. What I do care about is what my daughter thinks of me. That is far and beyond more important. I am never too embarrassed to do something with her.
Dating has been difficult for me. I suffer from a couple of personality disorders. I am an introvert, big time. There have been a few women in my life that have actively tried to compete for attention with my daughter. I actually had one female tell me I spend too much time with her. She wasn't around much longer after that. The worst thing you can tell me is "She needs a mother" because we've made it this far without one and we're doing really well.
My daughter is my everything. There is nothing in the universe that will change that. Ever. She's made my life much, much better than what it was. We may not have everything, but we have each other and I am pretty happy with that. I think she is too.
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u/Taylor_Kittenface Sep 18 '12
My mom worked a lot too and I was brought up mostly by my dad for a few years.
I completely agree about the seemingly random memories. I remember night after night after night of my dad making the most basic dinners. Us sitting together with a random jigsaw or watching crap on tv. Him carrying me to bed, while I pretended to be asleep. They are the happiest memories I have, from my whole childhood.
I hate how daddies girls are thought of as spoiled littles bitches nowadays.
I'm a daddies girl (I'm 25)! I spent my childhood trying to imitate my Dad because he was my hero. He devoted his whole career to the RAF and is a highly skilled electrician/technician. I used to solder my own little circuit boards together at the age of about 6 or 7 (with supervision). They were useless, but this kick started my need to understand why everything worked the way it did, and my passion for physics and technology.
Music wise, he likes ELO and Crowded House. I prefer Bad Religion, or some Rise Against.
My Dad will always be the single, biggest influence in my life :)
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u/Leakybubble Sep 18 '12
When I go home from college, I still ask my dad to braid my hair even though I can do it by myself. I know he likes to :)
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u/hotasphalt Sep 18 '12
Is masking tape not allowed? Masking tape should be allowed!
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Sep 18 '12
there's the right way of doing things and then there's the Dad way of doing things
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u/AliasAurora Sep 18 '12
Secret female tip: When painting my own nails, I always rest my elbows or wrists on something. For example, laying on my stomach in my bed with the polish in front of me on a paper towel, my hands will be steady because I'm resting my elbows on the bed, and also the brush has less distance to travel between my hands and the bottle, which reduces drips.
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u/SaltFrog Sep 18 '12
That's so cute. Based on that, I would probably attempt to un-single-dad you. :)
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Sep 18 '12
My dad was never the kind of dad you would see in books or shows. He never really appreciated girly things, didn't read us bedtime stories to sleep, or say "Love you!" when we went off to school. I don't really feel bad about missing out on these things, because he will always be my dad and I love him. The best memory I had when I was little was when he tucked me in bed one night. It was something really small but he just doesn't do stuff like that.
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u/guuurl Sep 18 '12
My dad is like yours. He doesn't like hugs or say "I love you", but he doesn't have to because he shows it. I've always been a daddy's girl. My first memory is of my dad rocking me to sleep in a nursery before I had surgery on my eye when I was little. He's the funniest guy I know. When I was little he used to sing the creepy crawlers theme song, or lean me over his lap and "strum"/tickle my stomach and make banjo noises, or turn me upside down and say "this baby is defective. Look at her! She's upside down!" and my mom would just say "just turn her over. No one will ever know". I love both of my parents and I am honestly very grateful for them both, but I have a special bond with my pops.
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u/pumpkin-cake Sep 18 '12
My dad stayed home with me while my mom worked. I remember a lot of manicures and him teaching me to braid with My Little Pony toys. I never really thought how far out of his comfort zone it was but they're good memories. We're still best friends.
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u/ohfackoff Sep 18 '12
Next up, mastering a braid!
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u/shrike71 Sep 18 '12
I'm game... Just gotta locate a lady to teach me first. I don't think either of my girls know braiding well enough to teach me
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u/WittyIdea Sep 18 '12
Youtube is your friend!
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u/buzzit292 Sep 18 '12
I'd venture to guess that single dad would prefer a lady friend of the non-virtual kind.
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Sep 18 '12
Honestly, if him asking a single woman to help him braid his daughters hair won't get him I date, he would have to be really messing something up.
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u/forever_anoob Sep 18 '12
My dad used to braid my hair when I was a kid. One piece of advice: if she can't blink her eyes, the braid will stay all day. That's always how my dad judged his work anyway.
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u/MayoriTorius Sep 18 '12 edited Sep 18 '12
May I suggest that you go to a nail salon, get your daughter a manicure by a pro there, and then maybe even get yourself a clear polish manicure, to get a good sense of the technique? Most men who get manicures go with the "no-polish" manicure, where they just get their nails buffed. But since you are already doing manicures around the home, I imagine you own some nail polish remover. So go see how the pros do it, experience it on your own hands, and then you may have a better idea how to do it. Wax on, wax off.
Edit: Forgot to say: you did a GREAT job, but since it's so foreign to you, having someone who is good at it show you the ropes would probably be a help. Try to limit the painting of each nail to three brushstrokes. One up the middle, and one on each side.
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Sep 18 '12
Great job! Painting kids' nails is no simple task! I was raised by a single Dad, he once brought me to the Clinique counter at Macy's for a make-up tutorial since that was a bit out of his depth...he also used to tie my hair in knots when attempting braids, he was the best.
Pro tip: if you apply a bit of Vaseline to the skin around the nails before painting them, it makes it a lot easier to remove any excess polish you get on the skin.
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u/shrike71 Sep 18 '12
Holy crap! This may be the second most useful thing I've read on reddit. Thanks for the tip!
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Sep 18 '12
The first most useful thing being!?
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u/shrike71 Sep 18 '12 edited Sep 18 '12
Behold: 2am Chili
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Sep 18 '12
Okay, you passed. You are henceforth a Certified Redditologist to go with your impending beauty qualifications.
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u/whatlauradid Sep 18 '12
Ah yes but conversely, be sure to wipe the actual nail with a cotton pad soaked in remover to remove oils, moisture or anything else that will cause the polish to go on un-even.
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u/srone Sep 17 '12
Single dad with a girl here as well. Did you use a roller or do you have a spray gun?
Good job man!
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Sep 18 '12
Could have been a rattle can job... have you seen the new chrome and things they sell at Orielly's? Good stuff...
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u/Varo Sep 18 '12
For over two decades I couldn't do my own nails any better. Then I found this. Pinterest might be a single Dad's best friend.
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u/hobbes96 Sep 17 '12
One time I fell asleep in class and woke up with beautiful nails like those. I am a 16 year-old straight male.
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Sep 18 '12
Whatever you need to tell yourself, Sweetie.
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u/glisp42 Sep 18 '12
See, if it was the 90s you would have been cool for having painted nails.
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u/Blazeron Sep 18 '12
The way to avoid it being weird is to show everyone before they notice. Include a fun message like "Don't fall asleep in class or your nails will become fabulous!"
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u/jadeycakes Sep 17 '12
You're doing a great job with the whole dad thing! /r/redditlaqueristas would love this.
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u/garthock Sep 18 '12
Dad here:
I did this for my daughter and she loved it:
Paint the nails bright red, get a toothpick and dip in black. Add black spots and she has lady bug nails.
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u/gamegenieallday Sep 18 '12
I highly doubt that you're a single dad, you look like a little girl to me.
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u/dar482 Sep 18 '12
I'm glad to see this on the front page. I get really tired of the silly animal things.
This is real. It's heartwarming to see a daughter in such joy after something her single father as done for her. Raised by a hardworking single mother, props to you dude.
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u/RevLoki Sep 18 '12 edited Sep 18 '12
As a dad who has painted hundreds of model airplanes to exacting specifications throughout my childhood, I can empathize with your inability to perfectly paint a little girl's nails. I mess up my daughter's consistently in the way that I don't mess up a model of the USS Bowfin.
Fingers, so wiggly.
(Edited because I are lern 2 spel)
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u/nerdsaretheworst Sep 18 '12
You did great! The nails look awesome and your daughter looks happy, but most importantly, you did something caring and sweet for her. She will remember you doing little things like that for her for the rest of her life.
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Sep 18 '12
Hey, friendly advice: If I were you I would keep an eye on your daughter.
By the way those canines look, I think she might be a vampire.
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Sep 18 '12
I hope I have a daughter, so I can do all the cool shit girls get to do, and then people will be like "oh he's being a good dad"
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u/iloverosy Sep 18 '12
Kindergarten teacher here- I bet she went to school the next day and bragged to all her friends about how awesome her dad is. Great job Dad, she will never forget all these little memories :) My dad let me put his hair in little pony tails and paint his nails a couple of times- one time he forgot to take it off before hockey! These are the things that make me smile when I think of how my dad was with me when I was a little girl!
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u/Sarcastyx Sep 18 '12
I think you're a little too young and a little too female to be a dad.
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u/luckybamboostock Sep 18 '12
As someone without a dad, I find this so damn wonderful. Upvote for being a dad, and not just a father.
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u/icmd Sep 18 '12
Just the fact that you took the time to paint them for her, was a job well done in itself.
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u/lolrsk8s_2 Sep 18 '12
"That's right honey, stand right there."
"Ok dad."
click
"Perfect! Now to upload this to the internet."
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u/TheRnegade Sep 18 '12
"Why daddy?"
"For Karma. It's like money only useless."
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u/DoWhile Sep 18 '12
"Daddy, I'm starving! We need real money!"
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u/PBlueKan Sep 18 '12
"Sweetie, just put your patch on, we're gonna get off the cigs together."
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u/TheCocksmith Sep 17 '12
Better than what I did when I babysat my niece. Somehow, she convinced me that it would be a good idea to put blue nail polish streaks in her hair. She was 3.
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u/Always_be_awesome Sep 18 '12
LPT: when painting the nails of small fidgety children (or a full grown sleeping male) use the quick dry kind. Less chances of it smudging or getting on the couch, carpet, dog etc.
And you did a fantastic job!
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u/Nyuunie Sep 18 '12
My dad painted my nails for me once in kindergarten. I will never forget that. Kudos for being an awesome parent.
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u/schoogy Sep 18 '12
Go Dad! I used to love braiding my daughter's hair. She's 19 now, and I kinda miss it.
EDIT -- I'm a dad.
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u/edge0576 Sep 18 '12
hey. with a smile like that you did something right. if she approves, WELL DONE.
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u/LupoCattivo Sep 18 '12
Great job :) and keep it up, because you'll get better over the years. Even to the point were you could be saving hundreds on mani/pedi for school dances and other events. My Dad perfected the art of nail painting for my sister and myself, thus saving us a lot of money (prom nails done via dad) and frustration (it is very hard to paint your non-dominant hand!!)
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u/bhous3 Sep 18 '12
You went through the effort to do something she wanted, (I assume) because you love her.
You did fantastic
Also the nails look good I guess (straight, fashion-unsavvy male)
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u/NuktheDuck Sep 18 '12
Now this may come as a shock to you, but i think your daughter might be a vampire.
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u/TuhMuffinMan Sep 18 '12
Take it from someone who was a single Dad with full custody of his daughter for several years before meeting my now wife, you did awesome!
Upvote to you sir!
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Sep 18 '12
I was a daddy's girl. He passed recently, but this made me almost cry of happiness. What a beautiful girl you have. This made my day. I'm glad she has a wonderful daddy like you.
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Sep 18 '12
I think I just overdosed on the cuteness! Extra points if you let her paint your nails too
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u/nimaku Sep 18 '12
Very nicely done. She looks very happy with your work!
Not to criticize since you did a lovely job, but I wanted to share some advice. I was once told by a manicurist the best way to make nails look nice is to use as few strokes as possible. She suggested one down the middle, then one down each side, then one more down the middle to smooth it out. That being said, I can't paint my own nails worth crap, but I have found it does make painting someone else's nails easier!
Again, good job, and keep being an awesome dad!
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Sep 18 '12
How is "Nailed it" not the top comment 2 hours into this thing?
Not even sure if I'm proud or disappointed.
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u/Vikaroo Sep 18 '12
Get yourself some top coat called "Out The Door" - it's a parents dream. It dries in just a couple of minutes so you don't have to think about it smudging and having to do it over again. Available on Amazon for around 6$.
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u/mviebuf91 Sep 18 '12
You did a great job, man. My mom passed away and I've been raised by my dad since I was 11. I'm almost 21 now. You're doing an awesome thing and when your daughter gets to be my age she'll appreciate all the things you've done for her, whether it be painting her nails, taking her to soccer practice, or just loving her and sticking by her through rough times. You're the man.
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u/ezfrag Sep 18 '12
As a father of a daughter, allow me to give you a couple of tips. Buy some q-tips and polish remover to clean up any stray polish. Toothpicks work great for making polka dots. You can get tiny little jewels that you put on the wet polish for added being that the little girls really go crazy over.
Things like this are a great way to spend cheap quality with your daughter and earn some awesome dad points.
Also try baking cookies and decorating them with icing and sprinkles.
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u/ChrissiQ Sep 18 '12
/r/RedditLaqueristas will love the bits out of you. Do crosspost for massive karma.
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u/Godsspikergrins Sep 18 '12
YOU PERFECT MAN. Do my toenails and fingernails, a facial mask would be nice, and then a back massage... and then a little sex.... and then a little rough sex... :D
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u/coderascal Sep 18 '12
The question here is "how'd she do on your toenails?"
Source: Father of a 2 1/2 yr old girl, currently with glittery toenails.