History Main / DotingParent

* Horribly deconstructed in ''VideoGame/SilentHillHomecoming'' with Doctor Fitch and his daughter, Scarlett. [[spoiler:He loved and spoiled her as a desperate way to make up for the fact that she was destined to become a TargetedHumanSacrifice and be killed by him.]]

* Richard ''Series/{{Castle}}'' tends to vary between this and the BoyfriendBlockingDad when it comes to his daughter Alexis; as long as boys or activities that might attract boys aren't involved, he's often indulgent and keen to actually encourage his daughter to break the rules and let her hair down a bit.

* The anime-only character Daddy [[RedBaron "the Father"]] Masterson of ''Manga/OnePiece''. He quit his job as a skilled and high-ranked Marine Officer and reduced himself to taking out some of the ''One Piece'' world's more pathetic criminals for a living, all so he wouldn't run the risk of getting killed and leaving his daughter with no-one to take care of her.

* Galfore is this to Starfire in ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'', an interesting case of a subverted trope as Doting Parents [[AmazinglyEmbarrassingParents are actually frowned upon]] in [[ToughLove Tameranian culture]].

* ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'':

* {{Inverted}} in ''ComicBook/{{Runaways}}''. The Pride honestly care greatly about their own children, just not the children belonging to the other members. In fact, when Gert's parents found out [[spoiler:about her death]], they went mad and tried to completely wipe out a major section of early New York because they really, really hate superheroes and blame them for a major part in everything horrid that has happened in the world, including being a factor in [[spoiler:Gert's death]]. The Pride also generally tried backstabbing each other constantly in the first 18 issues, including the other kids. It was for the sake of their kid [[spoiler:so they would survive in paradise when the world ended]].
* ''Franchise/SpiderMan'': John Jonah Jameson is an irritating curmudgeon, but he REALLY cares for his son.

* Galfore is this to Starfire in ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'', an interesting case of a subverted trope as Doting Parents [[AmazinglyEmbarrassingParents are actually looked down upon as an embarrassment]] in [[ToughLove Tameranian culture]].

* Sam's parents in ''Film/{{Transformers}}'' are this, along with being AmazinglyEmbarrassingParents.

** The ''Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Comics à la Carte'' official anthology book has the one-shot comic "[[HasTwoMommies 2nd Mother's Day]]", which portrayed Fate as this.
--->'''Fate:''' ''[after getting a [[HasTwoMommies Father's Day]] gift from Vivio]'' Dear neighbors... OUR DAUGHTER IS CUUUUUTE!! \\

* ''Fanfic/TheSimpsonsTeamLASH'': Seymour Skinner, ''full stop''. If his son Simon wasn't so clingy, he would be the ultimate EmbarrassingRelativeTeacher. He showers his "golden child" with praise and affection, [[{{Nepotism}} he gives his son preferential treatment compared to the other students at his school]], and he often brags about his son's great grades and numerous talents. Then again, considering his mother Agnes is the TropeNamer for MyBelovedSmother, [[TurningIntoYourParent you can see why he spoils his son so much]].

Unlike the OverprotectiveDad or MyBelovedSmother, the Doting Parent is generally not controlling or overprotective and does not view their child's potential or actual love interest as a threat. They encourage dating and find it amusing to tease their child relentlessly about any progress or lack thereof in their relationship. They even go so far as to "adopt" their children's significant others into the family well before either of the parties involved are ready to make that sort of commitment because they are so confident in their children's ability to choose a fitting partner.

Likewise, they have no problems with children leaving the nest, however, there are similarities to OverprotectiveDad and MyBelovedSmother in that there may be some elements of smother. To this end, the Doting Parent may come to face some of the same situations, as their children tend to choose to live on their own as early as humanly possible in an (often vain) attempt to avoid [[AmazinglyEmbarrassingParents their parent's embarrassing behavior]].

* Maes Hughes (pictured) in ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'' is the epitome of a doting papa, as well as an OverprotectiveDad. He just ''loves'' to brag about his adorable daughter to anyone and everyone within earshot, and showers her with affection when he is not on duty (or ''is'' on duty but she happens to be with him at the time).

** On the other hand, Haruhi's {{Crossdresser}} father Fujioka 'Ranka' Ryoji makes Yuzuru look ''tame'' with his doting and OverprotectiveDad traits.

* Valjean is this to Cosette in ''Literature/LesMiserables''; raising her becomes his whole reason for living, and her company is by far his greatest joy. He almost falls into the OverprotectiveDad trap several times, but ultimately avoids it thanks to caring most about Cosette's happiness and autonomy.

* King Duncan of ''Literature/RangersApprentice'' is a little bit of an OverprotectiveDad to Princess Cassandra, but given that [[spoiler: his wife died in childbirth]] and that she's his only child as well as the heir to the Kingdom, he can be excused. He genuinely cares about her well-being, is proud of her accomplishments, and is highly protective without smothering her. Of course, given that she's a very strong-minded and independent young woman, she doesn't always agree on that last point, but overall they have an excellent relationship. He even plays a little of the ShipperOnDeck for her and Will in Book 4, offering him a position in the Royal Scouts so that he can be closer to her, but that doesn't go anywhere. And when Cassandra ends up with [[spoiler: Horace,]] all indications are that he's completely fine with his daughter marrying a commoner.

* Richard ''Series/{{Castle}}'' tends to vary between this and the OverprotectiveDad when it comes to his daughter Alexis; as long as boys or activities that might attract boys aren't involved, he's often indulgent and keen to actually encourage his daughter to break the rules and let her hair down a bit.

Typically, the Doting Parents have no interest in actually [[MeddlingParents running their children's lives]]... after all, their superior children should be able to accomplish anything on their own. However, from time to time they may unobtrusively lend a hand and they are always open to giving advice (and are usually disappointed when their children ''don't'' come to them for help when they need it). Doting Parents also generally do not concern themselves with what their children are actually ''doing'' when out of sight, as long as when they ''do'' get to see them they are healthy and doing well.

* In ''WesternAnimation/ThePrincessAndTheFrog'' "Big Daddy" La Bouff gives his daughter everything. Unusually, she turns out [[SpoiledSweet spoiled but really sweet and nice.]] Honestly, she's more [[TheDitz oblivious]] than anything.

* In ''Literature/OnTheLifeAndCharacterOfJuliusAgricola'', the titular character's mother, Julia Procilla, is described as being this to him. [[spoiler: When Otho's raiders kill her, Agricola immediately joins Otho's enemy.]]

* The ''Franchise/TouhouProject'' fanbase often portrays Shinki as this to Alice Margatroid. Some fanfictions portray Shinki as the one who adopted Alice since she was a baby and taught her magic; some fanfictions portray Alice moving to Gensokyo as she matures; and so on. Sometimes this overlaps with MyBelovedSmother as well.
* While she still raised the Turtles to be resilient ninja, Master Shard in ''Fanfic/ShardsOfAMemory'' is shown to be much more of an affectionate parent than canon!Splinter, being much more physically affectionate ([[CatStereotype which is not unusual for a cat]]) and refer to them by {{Affectionate Nickname}}s like "her babies."

* The father of Louis the swan, in ''Literature/TheTrumpetOfTheSwan,'' steals a trumpet and hurts his own honor so his mute son can trumpet as well as the rest of the swans.

* Beth Jarrett accuses her husband Calvin of doting unhealthily upon their son Conrad in the novel/TheFilmoftheBook ''Ordinary People'', claiming he indulges his every whim and treats him like a child. While Calvin is a little overprotective, it only bothers Beth because Conrad is TheUnfavorite and she can't bear to show him affection after the death of her beloved firstborn.

* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'':
** Harry's friend, Michael Carpenter is this when he's not working his construction job or his other job as a Knight of the Cross saving the day from supernatural threats.
** [[spoiler: Harry]] becomes this once he's given the chance to [[spoiler: enter into his daughter, Maggie's life, eventually taking on responsibility of caring for her full-time]].

* ''VideoGame/Disgaea4APromiseUnforgotten'' has a rather bizarre example in the form of Petta's father [[spoiler:[[VideoGame/MakaiKingdom Overlord Zetta]]]], who spoils his daughter rotten while ''trying'' to look like a strict, hardass taskmaster in the process, because he's a SlaveToPR.
-->'''[[spoiler:Zetta]]:''' Keep in mind my training menu is the most difficult in the universe! I only allow you to wear designer clothes! Also, 3PM snack time is mandatory, every day! You may only nap two hours each day!\\

* It is hinted that King Krichevskoy from [[VideoGame/DisgaeaHourOfDarkness Disgaea]] was one of these. His son [[Characters/DisgaeaHourOfDarkness Laharl]] seems to have distanced himself from Krichevskoy after his mother’s death, but that did not stop Krichevskoy from thinking very highly of his son and having great faith in him. He also thinks Laharl inherited his own [[TheDandy “sparkling good looks”]]. He also executed a plan that evidently involved getting [[Characters/DisgaeaHourOfDarkness Laharl]] two pretty girls and willingly acts as a [[StealthMentor “rival” to help his son get stronger]]. [[Characters/DisgaeaHourOfDarkness Laharl]] is also a RoyalBrat, [[SarcasmMode no idea where that came from]].

[[quoteright:300:[[Anime/FullmetalAlchemist https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/doting_parent.jpg]]]]

* Kiri's parents in ''Manga/DoubleArts'' are not only HappilyMarried and making a warm, loving home for their son--they immediately [[HeartwarmingOrphan adopt]] his [[MeetCute new]] [[HeIsNotMyBoyfriend friend]], [[IllGirl Ellie]], into the family, and promptly begin loving, spoiling, and feeding her just as enthusiastically as their own child, if not more so. (When they're not exchanging [[AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther knowing]] [[{{Squee}} looks]] behind both teenagers' backs.)