Community Rallies Behind Single Dad Who Was Shamed for Bringing Daughter to Work

Coordinating work and child care is no easy task. Richard Miley sadly knows this from experience. The single dad runs a power washing businesses and was turned away by a client when he showed up with his daughter.

“Well you don’t need to come back here. A man needs to work and you need to learn that,” the client said to him.

Frustrated, the dad took to a local Facebook group to make an important PSA.

“First off, it’s not my fault my kids lost their mother, [and] it’s not my fault my youngest took it pretty hard and acts out too much to be in a day care consistently.”

At one point or another, every parent is handed hardships they have to overcome. Miley was trying to sort his out in a way that works best for his family. And sometimes, just a little bit of patience and kindness can mean the world to a parent who is struggling.

“I do my best every day to provide for my children,” he says. “And I don’t need praise for taking care of them, it’s what I’m supposed to do.”

So prospective customers, consider yourself warned: “If you do choose All Seasons Powerwash for any of our services, my 5-year-old will be with me!”

Despite the one unhappy customer, the overwhelming response from the community was praise for the dad. Since his post went up, many have reached out requesting his services on a job they need done, or offering to lend a hand watching his daughter.

“If you happen to need a sitter, I’m available. I have a 6-year-old daughter [and] I’m a stay-at-home-mom, or I could go on site with you and watch her,” one kind mom offers.

“Do [you] pressure wash homes clean? Message me if so. My 5-year-old girl will be more than happy to keep your daughter entertained while you’re working,” says another.

“You rock. Keep that baby with you as long as it takes to help her recover from losing her mother. You are an awesome dad,” reads one note.

Kindness can go a long way to a parent in need. Take Nicole Clawson, who was overwhelmed with gratitude when a teenager bought her a cup of coffee.