What makes a good dad? Hoover kids talk about their fathers

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Hoover elem kids

Photos by Jon Anderson

Hoover elem kids

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Christlyn Brewer art

Christlyn Brewer art

2016 Father's Day art from Bluff Park Elementary School

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Lane Helton art

Lane Helton art

2016 Father's Day art from Bluff Park Elementary School

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Jamiyah Hill art

Jamiyah Hill art

2016 Father's Day art from Bluff Park Elementary School

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Will Hertz art

Will Hertz art

2016 Father's Day art from Bluff Park Elementary School

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Moisha Mohdia art

Moisha Mohdia art

2016 Father's Day art from Bluff Park Elementary School

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Bluff Park Elem art

Bluff Park Elem art

2016 Father's Day art from Bluff Park Elementary School

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Audrey Hankins art

Audrey Hankins art

2016 Father's Day art from Bluff Park Elementary School

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Rachel Sasser art

Rachel Sasser art

2016 Father's Day art from Bluff Park Elementary School

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Alaia Alnajja art

Alaia Alnajja art

2016 Father's Day art from Bluff Park Elementary School

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Bluff Park Elem art 2

Bluff Park Elem art 2

2016 Father's Day art from Bluff Park Elementary School

With Father's Day approaching, the Hoover Sun went to several Hoover elementary schools to talk with kids about their dads. Here's what they had to say, in their own words:

What makes someone a good father?

“A good dad just teaches you about many things you need to understand, like homework, helping with sports and any other outdoor activity — teaches you how to mow the grass and weedeat. My dad taught me how to pull weeds since I was probably in kindergarten.” – Clay Spencer, fifth-grader at Greystone Elementary

“He has to be funny. He’s always there for you. He supports you. He would go to all your dance stuff and all your basketball stuff. He would tell you you’re beautiful every day.” – Shelby Millender, fifth-grader at Greystone Elementary

“Pushing them hard to get better at things.” – Jarett Fairley, third-grader at South Shades Crest Elementary

What do you like most about your father?

“He’s really funny, and he’s always making me laugh a lot, and he really makes funny jokes, too.” – Daeonna McGee, third-grader at Rocky Ridge Elementary

“When I feel a little bit down or scared, he always tires to get courage in me to inspire me to do the things I’m scared of, and he also helps me do other stuff when I’m wrong or right so I can make sense.” – Kaylynn Nutter, second-grader at Rocky Ridge Elementary

“When he lets us play with him. When he drives us to a place where we don’t even know what’s there. I did know that we were going to Tennessee, but I didn’t know there was an aquarium there, and he drove us there. I was surprised. There were penguins there. I love penguins.” – John Camacho, third-grader at Green Valley Elementary

“He doesn’t let me have too many treats, or my sister or my little brother, because if I eat too many treats, I might get cavities and I might get fat.” – Simon Temple, first-grader at Green Valley Elementary

“He drives us really far away, and he takes us to like Florida. He gets me a lot of toys. I’ve got like one hundred million thousand toys.” – Rameen Khayyam, first-grader at South Shades Crest Elementary

What is the best advice your father has given you?

“Don’t call people names. Don’t say bad words.” – Paxton Spadoni, first-grader at Greystone Elementary

“He told me not to tell anybody that I’m going to tell on you if you don’t give me a dollar. I think it’s called blackmail.” – Nash Dorian, first-grader at Riverchase Elementary

“He always tells me to clean my room. My room is a disaster area because I have so many toys and I forget to clean my room after I play.” – Sadie Brown, kindergartner at Riverchase Elementary

“Don’t be afraid to do new things.” – Paige Austin, second-grader at South Shades Crest Elementary

What is something you’ll do for your kids when you become a father one day?

“Be nice and care for them,” – Christian Baum, first-grader at Greystone Elementary

“Bring them to my work sometimes, but only if I don’t get fired.” – Cole Olive, kindergartner at Riverchase Elementary

“I’m going to love them. They’re going to have fun. I’m going to get a job or a business and make a lot of money so I can take care of my family.” – Shelvyn Allen, fourth-grader at Green Valley Elementary

“I want to teach them a sport because I am really athletic, and I want to teach my kids to be nice and be safe and care about one another and be brave and courageous.” – Jake Fridley, second-grader at South Shades Crest Elementary