Kat Timpf, dad on dating advice for parents with teenagers

In a world where parenting advice floods every corner of the internet, one dad’s blunt, old-school wisdom is breaking through the noise—with heart, humor, and a firm stance against tongue piercings.

On a recent episode of Gutfeld!, co-host Kat Timpf introduced a very special guest: her father, affectionately dubbed “Dad Tim.” What followed wasn’t just another lighthearted family segment—it was a hilarious, revealing, and unexpectedly emotional dive into the timeless clash between teenage freedom and parental judgment.

“Desperate to Date”—and Dad’s Brutal Honesty

The segment kicked off with a viewer’s question: “Dear Kat, my 12-year-old daughter wants to start dating but I think she’s way too young. I don’t want her sneaking around behind my back if I say no. What do I do?”

Without missing a beat, Dad Tim jumped in.

“Well, she still makes the rules,” he said, gesturing to Kat. “Twelve years old is far too young. If she’s sneaking around, then you’re not watching close enough.”

It was a classic Dad Tim moment—no fluff, no modern parenting jargon, just straight talk. And for anyone who grew up under the iron hand of a no-nonsense parent, it struck a deeply nostalgic chord.

“Other than sneaking vegetables to the dog,” he added, “a 12-year-old shouldn’t be able to get away with anything major.”

Flashback: Kat, Tongue Rings, and Teen Heartbreak

But the real gem of the segment came when Kat shared a story from her own rebellious teen years—a cautionary tale that still smarts a little.

“When I was 16,” she began, “my boyfriend got his tongue pierced. My parents made me break up with him.”

Cue the audience’s audible gasp—and laughter.

“My mom literally called his house and told his parents, ‘If he calls again, we’re calling the police.’ Then I got grounded for two weeks. And I didn’t even do anything! I didn’t pierce anything!”

The audience roared, but Dad Tim wasn’t flinching. He remembered the incident well—and stood by his decision.

“It wasn’t about what you did,” he explained. “It was about judgment. If you thought that guy was a good choice, then your judgment was way off. So yeah, we grounded you for poor taste.”

Ouch. But it was delivered with a grin—and with the same protective love that drove every over-the-top parental intervention of the pre-social media generation.

Tough Love Still Works—Even on National TV

Kat admitted that at the time, it felt like the end of the world. “I went to bed thinking he was coming to my brother’s baseball game the next day. I woke up, and mom had already dumped him for me!”

And just like that, the entire audience was pulled into a moment so real and raw, it might have come straight from a coming-of-age dramedy on Netflix.

Yet beneath the laughs and light teasing, the story was a subtle reminder of something we don’t always hear in public conversations anymore: parenting is not a popularity contest.

Tim’s methods may not be the “gentle parenting” style that dominates TikTok, but they come from a place of conviction—and proven experience. He knows that heartbreak builds resilience. That strong boundaries lay the foundation for stronger character. And that sometimes, love looks like ending a relationship on behalf of your teen while they sleep.

Old-School Parenting, New-Age Relevance

In an era when kids are navigating relationships, identity, and social media before they even hit high school, many parents feel outmatched and overwhelmed. But Dad Tim’s appearance reminded viewers that the fundamentals haven’t changed: love your kids fiercely, tell them the truth, and don’t be afraid to say “no” when it counts.

Was it heavy-handed to threaten the police over a pierced tongue? Maybe. But it worked. Kat Timpf grew up into a wildly successful journalist and television personality—sharp-witted, fearless, and hilarious. Maybe there’s something to Dad Tim’s approach after all.

As the segment wrapped, Kat smiled at her dad. “You were probably right,” she said. “Maybe he wasn’t a top-quality guy.”

And with that, every parent watching—especially those raising daughters—nodded silently in agreement. Behind the tough love and tongue ring drama was a simple truth: sometimes, a good dad has to be the bad guy today, to protect his little girl’s tomorrow.