US dad praised for stocking struggling ex’s pantry

A Florida man who went shopping for his ex after noticing she was struggling financially said he believes it’s his “responsibility” to provide for both his child and her mother.

In a post to Facebook this weekend, Port Charlotte resident Brandon Carpenter said the kind act towards his former partner was prompted by the realisation it was “time to grow up”.

“My child's mother said our daughter isn't feeling well and needs some Tylenol (pain reliever)... so I bring her infant Tylenol and notice her fridge is completely empty, other than some water,” Mr Carpenter wrote.

“But she has a full pantry of my daughter’s food formula, snacks and water. Mind you she works a full time job and then has my daughter. She pays rent and all her bills, plus she is paying off a car.

“So today I went shopping to make sure she had food for the next few weeks. Just because we aren't together doesn't mean I can't provide for her if she needs it.

“If my child's mother is good, then I know she is taking care of our daughter the best she can and that makes me happy.”

READ MORE: Home nurse spends her tax return to stock fridge of struggling client

Mr Carpenter concluded his post saying he would be “thinking like a child” if he believed his only duty was to his daughter.

“It's time to grow up and take responsibility in all aspects of life,” he wrote.

Mr Carpenter’s post has since received hundreds of thousands of reactions and shares.

Some social media users have criticised Mr Carpenter on what they perceive to be a blatant attempt at self-promotion, while others have congratulated him for setting an example for other fathers.

“With so many people fighting over who should pay for what or take care of the kids and who has the bigger responsibility, I wish there was more of this,” Facebook user Kristina Metz wrote in a repost on the Love What Matters page.

“It isn't always just about the kids but also about being grown up enough to care.”

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