What makes a good dad? Kids in U.S. 280 corridor talk about their fathers

With Father's Day approaching, 280 Living went to several elementary schools in the U.S. 280 corridor to talk to children about their dads. Here's what they had to say, in their own words:

What makes someone a good father?

“A dad that spends time with their child and teaches them the virtues of life and sports and things like that. A good dad plays with their child a lot and counts them in in a lot of games.” – Lane Falone, third-grader at Inverness Elementary

“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

What do you like most about your father?

“He lets me play on his computer for work. He has his own office. He’s like the king of downstairs.” – Clay Owens, third-grader at Inverness Elementary

“To play with him. When he pushes us really high on the swings.” – Devan Olson, first-grader at Inverness Elementary

“He builds mansions and skyscrapers with the rest of his team on the construction site, and when a car is broken down, my dad fixes it, and when there is a fire, my dad’s friends help my dad get his suits for the fire. They go inside the fire truck and find where the fire is, and they get to the house and they spray the fire out. My dad has three jobs. He does construction sites and is a mechanic and a fireman.” – Meshack Irengo, first-grader at Inverness Elementary

“My Daddy’s really funny about making faces behind the camera to make me smile. I just laugh as hard as I can. Sometimes I even (laugh so hard that I) close my eyes. My Daddy has to be careful not to make me laugh too much because then the picture won’t look good.” – Alexis Cooper, first-grader at Oak Mountain Elementary

“He makes awesome dinners, like chicken and bowtie pasta.” – Margaret Slovensky, first-grader at Oak Mountain Elementary

“My dad makes me feel special, and he spends lots of time with me. He loves me. We watch movies together, and we watch videos, and we have a lot in common. We both like Charlie Brown, and we both like songs.” – Landyn Schoeneck, second-grader at Chelsea Park Elementary

“When he gets home from work, he comes over there and gives me a big hug.” – Brooklyn Jernigan, kindergartner at Forest Oaks Elementary

What is the best advice your father has given you?

“He tells me to clean up my room sometimes.” – Holden Naccari, kindergartner at Inverness Elementary

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

“No whining, crying or complaining unless you’re bleeding or worse.” – James Franklin, second-grader at Oak Mountain Elementary

“Not smacking your teeth and chew with your mouth closed.” – Bailey Mize, first-grader at Oak Mountain Elementary

“When I got hurt once, he told me pain goes away.” – Miller Topazi, fourth-grader at Chelsea Park Elementary

“Treat people the way you want to be treated.” – Kennedy Cleasant, fourth-grader at Forest Oaks Elementary

“Mostly he tells me don’t pop your knuckles because you’ll get arthritis. And don’t eat food on the bed. It attracts ants.” – Evan Dong, fourth-grader at Forest Oaks 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

“Drive them anywhere they want.” – Caleb Beatty, third-grader at Chelsea Park Elementary

“I’d teach them life lessons, like when they break a vase, they have to be honest.” – Harper Thornbrough, fifth-grader at Forest Oaks Elementary