One of the most wholesome channels on YouTube is “Dad, how do I?” created by 55-year-old Rob Kenney. A father of two, Rob knows firsthand what it’s like to grow up without a dad.

His channel offers guidance on basic life skills like tying a tie, grilling food, roasting marshmallows, jump-starting a car, and more, catering to both children and adults who may not have a father figure in their lives. In a short time, millions have started following him online.

Rob’s childhood was challenging. His parents struggled with their relationship—his mother had issues with alcohol, and his father was emotionally distant. After their divorce, Rob’s father won custody of him and his seven siblings but wasn’t equipped to care for them.

By the time Rob was 12, his father had left the family, and with little connection to his mother, Rob relied heavily on his siblings. He eventually moved in with his newlywed 23-year-old brother in a small mobile home. Later, Rob married and had two children of his own, one of whom is an educator and the other a software engineer.

As his children grew up and moved out, Rob felt the “empty nest” and decided to fill his time by creating helpful, free-to-watch videos on YouTube. These videos offer “practical ‘dadvice’ for everyday tasks,” providing guidance during the pandemic when many were at home and looking for content to watch.

Rob shared that while he initially planned to focus on practical tasks, his videos have touched people on a much deeper level. Many of his videos include positive messages like “I am proud of you,” “We need each other!” and “Be good to yourself!” This resonates strongly with viewers, especially those who grew up without a father.

Rob’s mission is to help others by sharing the wisdom he’s gained over the years. His goal was always to raise “good adults, not good children” because of his own fractured childhood.

Carmona, known as Mother Moon on Twitter, was among the first to share Rob’s videos, with her post reaching over 2 million people. She mentioned that many have reached out to her, sharing their experiences of grief and loss, and seeking advice on how to navigate their own healing journeys—similar to what Rob provides through his channel.

Rob’s videos have touched many hearts. One Twitter user said, “Seeing this brought me to tears,” while another commented, “I don’t miss my dad, but I miss the dad I could have had… the dad who did this stuff with me.”

For those interested, here’s a popular video by Rob on “Dad, how do I?” where he teaches how to fix a running toilet.