With Father’s Day just around the corner, are you wondering how to dedicate the special day to your dad? Mother’s Day is super special, but what about those dads out there, or father figures? I have to admit that my husband not so blatantly wondered when was Father’s Day when we were celebrating Mother’s Day. Like he didn’t know. But, like many father’s out there, they don’t always get the accolade or appreciation that they so justly deserve.
Whether you’re celebrating with your dad, your husband, or any other father figures, let’s also make it an earth friendly kind of day. After all, children need to learn from both their parents on how to be stewards of our planet. Below I’ve highlighted some thoughtful and easy gift ideas as well as some unique anecdotes about fathers:
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Kids cook for Father’s Day – Just like Mother’s Day, we all hoped our kids woke up at the crack of dawn to prepare a delicious and wholesome breakfast for us…right? Well, the same could be said for Father’s day. Get your kids ready for a home cooked meal for daddy and see the bright smile on his face when he’s treated like the King of the castle. It could be anything from a sweet treat like cookies and cake, or a delicious savory snack mix like the one here: https://www.marthastewart.com/1503375/best-snack-recipes?slide=3608548, or even a simple yet elegant dinner such as burger sliders and homemade biscuits and gravy. Whatever meal your child plans, just make sure it’s something that their dad enjoys.
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Crafts – who doesn’t cherish a craft made by their child? This Father’s Day, have your kids make a special craft for their dad. Try making a paper crown that dad can wear throughout the day, or handmade cards made from scratch paper or construction paper, or a bookmark with your child’s photo. Put your creativity to use and you’ll find lots of cool and easy crafts to make for your dad.
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Enjoy nature – take a long and leisure walk with dad. If you have a park nearby, take the morning or early evening to enjoy a walk around the park. You can also go on trails with your bicycles or feet and take a small snack so you can enjoy the day with your dad.
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Chores around the house – dads can take a break on Father’s Day by relaxing and enjoying their day. Have your kids do some simple chores around the house that are usually assigned to dads. Depending on the age, your kids can wash the car, take out the garbage, clean the deck, or anything that you think your kids can do. Dad will appreciate the thought!
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Artwork – take dad to a paint-your-own ceramics store or a one day art class. Art is quite relaxing and fun when you’re doing it with your loved ones. They can even take home their special cup or plate and artwork to remember the day forever.
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Museums – museums can last all day or a couple of hours. There are many wonderful museums for all ages in practically every state you live in. Just search up “museums” in your website browser and turn on locations and some great ideas will pop up.
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Flower bouquet – who says only women enjoy flowers?! My husband always loves it when I put fresh flowers from our garden around the house. Flowers are calming and inspiring and a wonderful gift for fathers! If you have a garden, pick some from your yard and put them in vases or homemade vase-jars.
And here are some inspirational notes for Father’s Day:
1. I’ll always be here for you, son.
Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad. Reminding your son that you always are available to him and mindful of his needs will go a long way in establishing and building trust over time. Mindful parentingmeans being present in the moment and aware of what’s happening. Modeling positive, supportive behavior while your son is young will show him that good men are reliable and responsible.
2. Treat others with compassion and empathy.
The Golden Rule may be a simple principle to follow, but teaching empathy can provide a deeper framework for how people should behave regardless of circumstance. Fostering empathy can help young boys to find commonalities between themselves and others who are seemingly different—and encourages them to positively and proactively think about and care for others.
3. Winning is great, but losing with grace and humility is just as important.
Good sportsmanship is a beneficial trait that goes well beyond what happens on the playing field. By teaching our sons how to win and lose with dignity, we’re giving them strong interpersonal relationship skills that will serve them well in many other aspects of their lives besides sports. Telling boys that the main point of competition is to have fun will alleviate the feeling of needing to win at any cost, allow them to enjoy themselves, and play for the sake of fun.
4. Surround yourself with people who you admire.
Dads can’t always pick our son’s friends, but we can definitely encourage them to choose their friendships wisely. Find out who your son admires and who his heroes are, and you’ll quickly discover the kinds of people he wants to emulate. Real friendships are fundamental in early childhood development, so teaching our sons how to find good friends and to be a good friend will help guide him in the right direction.
5. Never make an important decision on an empty stomach.
Over the course of a young boy’s life, he’ll have to make many important decisions. These decisions are just warm-ups to the various big decisions that he’ll have to make as a man, and every dad knows that important decisions should never be made on an empty stomach. There’s science to explain why people become grumpy or have poorer judgment when they are hungry. Teach your son to have a full belly before making any major life decisions.
6. It’s OK to play with dolls.
Or dress up as Beyoncé. Or sing like Beyoncé. Or dance like Beyoncé. By the time most boys are five years old, they’ve already learned lots of things that perpetuate toxic masculinity. Break the cycle by letting your son know that there are no such things as “girls-only toys” or “girls-only behaviors.” Instead, teach your son that there’s more than one way to be a man.
7. What was the best part of your day?
At the end of a long day of work and school, many dads will simply ask our sons, “How was your day?” And the typical response is a bluntly delivered, “Fine.” Rather than try to start a conversation with a generic question, be specific. Avoid questions that can be answered with a single word. As our sons get older—particularly as they enter their tween and teen years—they may be less inclined to volunteer information about what’s happening in their lives. Asking pointed questions will help tease out what’s really going on and what’s really on their minds.
8. I can teach you how to throw a punch, but never start a fight … and always know when to walk away.
It’s a dad’s duty to teach our sons when to stand their ground and when to walk away. Establishing a baseline that it’s never appropriate to hurt others for no reason is a critical, essential first step.
9. I’m so lucky that I get to be your dad.
And while you’re at it, tell your son that you love him every day, and give him lots of hugs and kisses, especially while he’s still young so that he gets used to receiving affection from (and giving it to) his old man.
So this Father’s Day, make it extra special for your dad or the father figures in your life!
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