| "Not a Father's Day" | |
|---|---|
| How I Met Your Mother episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 4 Episode 7 |
| Directed by | Pamela Fryman |
| Written by | Robia Rashid |
| Production code | 4ALH07 |
| Original air date | November 10, 2008 (2008-11-10) |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Not a Father's Day" is the seventh episode in the fourth season of the television series How I Met Your Mother and the 71st episode overall. It was written by Robia Rashid and directed by Pamela Fryman, and it originally aired on November 10, 2008.
The episode centers on Barney's relief at a pregnancy scare, which inspires him to create a holiday celebrating childless men, while Marshall and Lily debate whether they are ready to have a baby. Eric Goldman of IGN gave the episode 8.5 out of 10, and Donna Bowman of The A.V. Club gave it a B+. The episode was originally produced under the title "Jeremy's Sock" before being retitled. The creators also launched a promotional website, NotaFathersDay.com, selling merchandise tied to the episode.[1]
Plot
After a pregnancy scare leaves him relieved, Barney invents a holiday called "Not a Father's Day" to celebrate men without children, complete with merchandise and a growing following.
Meanwhile, Marshall and Lily find themselves drawn to the idea of having a baby after noticing infants everywhere. Lily, however, grows anxious after speaking with other new parents and getting drunk. She crashes Marshall's work conference, and he ends up putting her in a cab and caring for her through the night. The next morning, Lily tells him his attentiveness proved he is ready for fatherhood, but Marshall admits he is not yet ready to balance work and children, and the two agree to wait.
Robin, temporarily staying with Marshall and Lily while searching for a job and apartment, becomes an unlikely voice against having children during a debate with Ted. Ted later discovers a baby's sock hidden in Robin's bag, and she admits she is confused about her life situation. He invites her to move in with him while she searches for a place, and she accepts.
The episode ends with Barney alone at a karaoke bar, tearfully singing "Cat's in the Cradle" while clutching the sock.
Production
The episode had the title "Jeremy's Sock" but was changed to "Not a Father's Day".[2]
Critical response
Eric Goldman of IGN gave the episode 8.5 out of 10.[2]
Donna Bowman of The A.V. Club gave the episode a B+.[3]
References
- "How I Met Your Mother – "Not a Father's Day"". Cultural Learnings. November 11, 2008. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
- Eric Goldman (November 11, 2008). "How I Met Your Mother: "Jeremy's Sock" Review. Is it time for Lily and Marshall to embrace parenthood?". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
- Donna Bowman (November 10, 2008). "How I Met Your Mother: "Not A Father's Day"". The A.V. Club. The Onion. Retrieved November 19, 2017.