With Fathers Day coming up soon, I got to thinking about what I want to do. I mean, it is MY day. I work hard to provide for my family all year long and I have a right to sit back, relax and be pampered. Right?
Well, the more I thought about it I began to realize that this really isn’t a day about me, it’s a day about what I do. Being a Dad. And being a Dad who would take time off from the everyday hustle and bustle to selfishly indulge on myself on that day in particular? (In the words of Stephanie Tanner), “How Rude!”
I’m so busy every day. Between work, chores, getting the lawn cut, it’s tough enough to find time each day to squeeze in a bedtime story or a game of Chutes and Ladders. So, why would I waste an entire day that I could spend with my children? Especially since that is what they really want most, time to play with Daddy. They don’t care if the lawn looks good. They don’t really care if I get a promotion at work. They just want to sit and play cars. Or push the furniture out of the way and lay out big pieces of paper that we can trace ourselves on. They just want to be loved. Not just told they’re loved, because you can’t define love to a kid. Telling them “I Love You” means nothing if they don’t feel it.
They need you sit and play dress up, even if it involves getting your nails painted or having your makeup done. They need you to pretend you’re an evil dragon so they can slay you. They just need you to be there for them.
So instead of thinking of what I want do or where I want to go to eat, I’m going to sit down with my kids and figure out what amazing things WE can do for Fathers Day. I’ll let you know what we come up with.
Follow Up!
As promised, an update. I am happy to report, I enjoyed a most excellent Father’s Day with my kids and my wife. Our day started bright and early at my daughter’s horse show where I wrangled the little dude while she rode. The rest of the day was filled with Starbucks, time in our swimming pool, a seafood feast and several rounds of checkers with the kiddo. Perfect day!
