Dad's 'Date Night' Tradition With His Daughter Encourages Other Parents To Follow Suit | HuffPost Life

'It’s a great way to show a little extra love and attention.' ❤️

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Life editor at HuffPost UK

A dad who started taking young daughter out on a “date” once a month has inspired other parents to do the same.

Mum Caitlin Fladager explained her husband started the tradition to take his daughter out for cake and ice cream to spend a little more time together.

She shared photos of their first “date” on the Love What Matters Facebook page on Friday 6 January.

“My husband decided once a month he will take our little girl out on a ‘date’ where she gets all dressed up and gets taken out for cake and ice cream,” she wrote.

Fladager continued: “Tonight was there first night doing it. He helped her pick out a dress for her to wear, got a little purse ready for her, held the door open for her, and made her feel like a princess.

“She loved it and was so happy when she got home. She will always know how she deserves to be treated because her dad sets such a high example.”

The photos show the young girl in the stages leading up to the date, including choosing her dress and at the table eating her cake.

The post obviously struck a chord with many parents, as it was shared more than 30,000 times and had 10,000 comments in just three days.

“I absolutely love this idea and something I want to start with my son,” one dad wrote.

Another commented: “You’ve nailed it there. Quality time with your daughter. I’m going to try it. Thanks dudes.”

Others said this was a tradition they had already.

“My son and I have ’date nights’,” one mother commented. “We take turns planning what our dates. Sometimes it is as simple as putting on PJs and watching a movie or going for dinner and a movie.

“Now that he earns money from chores he insists on paying for at least one thing.”

Another dad wrote: “My daughter and I go on lots of date nights. She’s four and even asks to go on dates sometimes.

“I think it’s a great way for parents to show a little extra love and attention.”

Before You Go

Awful Celebrity First Dates

Kim Cattrall (01 of12)

WHO: Actress Kim Cattrall
DATE: "I went out with an actor who said he'd come to see me in the play I was in and then we'd go out afterward for a drink or dinner. Then he called to downgrade it to nothing after, just him coming to my performance. He showed up at intermission."
Kim Cattrall attends the Broadway opening night of 'Seminar' at The Golden Theatre. (credit:Getty)

Michael Kors (02 of12)

WHO: Fashion designer Michael Kors
DATE: "In my twenties, I went to meet my date at a really chic, fashionable restaurant. I wasn't dressed up necessarily, but I had one a nice shirt and jeans. My date showed up in cutoffs and a tank top. I knew half the people in the restaurant, who were all looking at me like 'Who is this guy with Michael Kors?' It was so embarrassing. My tip: Always have your first date at a casual place."
Designer Michael Kors attends the 2012 Human Rights Campaign Gala. (credit:Getty)

Iman's Tip On How To Avoid Bad Dates (03 of12)

WHO: Model Iman
DATE:"I moved to the U.S at 18 to model and I thought going out with a stranger alone was a strange concept, so I would always bring along a friend on my first dates. No man ever complained about it, though, because the friend I'd bring along would always be another model."
Model Iman speaks at the 2011 Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. (credit:Getty)

Lauren Conrad(04 of12)

WHO: Fashion designer and blogger Lauren Conrad
DATE: "I've been on a lot more bad first dates than good ones -- there's been so many. For one, my mother set me up, which should have been a red flag. He and I didn't talk for the majority of the date -- we just sat there in awkward silence. I ate as quickly as I could to speed up getting out of there."
TV personality Lauren Conrad arrives at 13th Annual Warner Bros. And InStyle Golden Globe Awards After Party (credit:Getty)

Kelly Rowland (05 of12)

WHO: Singer Kelly Rowland
DATE:"I fell asleep on his shoulder, and I slobbered and snored. That was pretty bad. But he shouldn't have take men to see "There's Something About Mary" for my third time. Whoopsie."
Singer Kelly Rowland arrives at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center. (credit:Getty)

Andie MacDowell (06 of12)

WHO: Actress Andie MacDowell
DATE: "It's very odd to start dating after being married for a long time and this was one of my first dates since the divorce with my husband. My date might have only been six or seven years older than me, but my kids see me as very youthful. He came to the door to take me out. My daughter was teeny tiny at the time, and she announced, 'Mom, he is too old for you' right in front of him."
Actress Andie MacDowell attends the 'Captive' Premiere during day four of the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival. (credit:Getty)

Tommy Hilfiger (07 of12)

WHO: Designer Tommy Hilfiger
DATE: "I was having dinner with a girl in a restaurant, and I was so incredibly bored -- I had to get out. So I told her I had a business meeting I'd forgotten about and had to leave right then. I certainly don't think she bought it -- luckly I never talked to her again."
Tommy Hilfiger prepares backstage at the Tommy Hilfiger Men's Fall 2012 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. (credit:Getty)

Jessie J (08 of12)

WHO: Singer Jessie J
DATE: "I went bowling on a double date...I got excited and I accidentally threw the ball the wrong way -- backward. It was so embarrassing. They were like,'Yeah, she's so uncool.'"
Jessie J arrives at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center. (credit:Getty)

Eliza Doolittle(09 of12)

WHO: Singer Eliza Doolittle
DATE: "I went on a blind date, and after that I never, ever did it again. The guy repeated everything he said twice. He'd say, 'So, how are you? How are you?' and I'd say I was fine, and he'd say, 'Good, good.' Or 'I'll have the mac and cheese please, please. Yeah, the mac and cheese' I don't know if there was something actually wrong with him or if it was just a bad habit, but no more blind dates after that."
Eliza Doolittle attends The Peace One Day Celebration 2011. (credit:Getty)

Salma Hayek (10 of12)

WHO: Actress Salma Hayek
DATE: "My first date with my husband started badly. I didn't know it was a date. I thought I was going to an event, and then there was just one person at it. I was set up by friends to think I was going to an event, because they knew I wouldn't go on a date. I was angry. And he didn't know, because he thought I knew he was coming just to meet him. It started out really badly. But as you can see, it ended happy."
Salma Hayek arrives at the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards. (credit:Getty)

Bear Grylls(11 of12)

WHO: Adventurer Bear Grylls
DATE: "I made a picnic up on a mountain for a girl, with tables and chairs and three courses. It took me a full day to carry it all up there. But then she never showed, and the wind and rain blew it. The whole night was a washout."
Bear Grylls attends the 2012 Laureus World Sports Awards. (credit:Getty)

Wendy Williams On Breaking Dates (12 of12)

WHO: Media personality Wendy Williams
DATE: "I was a smart dating girl. I always had enough money for a cab from wherever I was. I didn't have problems breaking a date. Like I'd say, 'You know what, this date is really not working out. Don't worry -- if you don't pick up the tab, I will, and I'll take a cab back to my house.' If you say it like you mean it, the dates can't be bad -- they just end."
Wendy Williams attends the 20th Anniversary Celebration Of Christian Louboutin. (credit:Getty)

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