Single Dad of 4 Goes Viral for Expertly Styling Daughter’s Hair for Valentine’s Day (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Dylan Mondo does his daughter Ava’s hair.Photo:Dylan Mondo

Single Dad of 4 Styles Daughter’s Hair for Valentine’s Day to Make Her Feel ‘Confident and Beautiful’

Dylan Mondo

Dylan Mondo may not be a professional hairstylist, but he’s picked up a few tricks over time.

“It wasn’t something I planned too far in advance. I love creating special moments for my kids whenever I can, and with Valentine’s Day coming up, I thought it would be a cute way to show her some love,” Mondo, 31, tells PEOPLE exclusively.

“I wanted to create something festive for Valentine’s Day while also helping her feel confident and beautiful,” he adds.

Dylan Mondo doing his daughter Ava’s hair.Dylan Mondo

Single Dad of 4 Styles Daughter’s Hair for Valentine’s Day to Make Her Feel ‘Confident and Beautiful’

“I think any parent who does their child’s hair knows that patience is key,” Mondo says. “I have to make sure I’m gentle and keep her comfortable while also making sure the style turns out the way we envisioned. Making sure her hair doesn’t get damaged is also a top priority!”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

During the process, Mondo filmed a video of himself with Ava, which he later posted toTikTok. In the video, you can hear Ava explaining exactly how she wants her hair as Mondo does his best to bring her vision to life.

“She was really excited!” the proud dad shares. “She loves when I do her hair, and I think she was just happy to have that one-on-one time together. It’s a moment for us to bond, and I get to make her feel seen and important.”

“Just seeing her light up when she looks in the mirror is everything to me,” he continues. “She constantly looks in the mirror and smiles, and that makes all the effort worth it. At one point, she said ‘iralo’ in Spanish, which means something like ‘look at that!’ It was a silly moment that made me laugh. The people commenting also loved that moment.”

A closeup of Dylan Mondo’s daughter’s hair.Dylan Mondo

Single Dad of 4 Styles Daughter’s Hair for Valentine’s Day to Make Her Feel ‘Confident and Beautiful’

“I just want people to know that parenting isn’t always about being perfect — it’s about being present,” he adds. “Whether it’s doing hair, making breakfast, or just sitting and talking and listening, those little moments mean everything to kids.”

“I hope it inspires all parents — especially dads — to lean into every part of parenting,” he continues. “You don’t have to be an expert at everything, you just have to show up and do your best. Kids remember the love and effort, and that’s what truly matters.”

source: people.com