Father’s Day the magical Sunday in June where we celebrate dads for being there. You know, for occasionally taking out the trash, roughhousing the kids into a near-emergency-room experience, and for making pancakes once a year with the confidence of a man who’s never had to clean up syrup.
What a time to be a father.
Meanwhile, as a mom of two small boys who think fart noises are a love language and believe wearing pants is optional after 5 p.m., I watch this day unfold with amusement. What will it be this year? All of us lounging by the pool with chips and dips while dad barbecues up some burgers or will he be gone on a camping trip with the boys – hiking trails, fishing on the boat, messy s’mores by the campfire while mom has the weekend to herself watching my favorite murder documentaries with a face mask, sweat pants and a margarita? or will he be spending the whole day at the golf course with the grandpas? With how dads plan….. I’ll find out the Friday before.
Gifts for Dads: Power Tools and Questionable T-Shirts
Nothing says “fatherhood” like a novelty mug that says #1 Dad. And don’t forget the deeply personal gift of… a Home Depot gift card. Because nothing screams emotional connection like lumber.
Do dads actually like these gifts? Unclear. But judging by the fact that the “Dad Joke” book is a perennial best-seller, I assume they’re at least entertained.
But Seriously… They Deserve a Day
Here’s the thing: the good dads—the ones who really show up, even if they don’t know their kid’s shoe size—they do deserve the spotlight. Our boys adore theirs. And that’s no small thing. Dads bring the chaos, the fun, the weird snack rules, and the uniquely unhinged way of getting kids to sleep by telling them stories that start with, “Did I ever tell you about the time I almost met The Rock?”
So while I’m mostly here to snark, I’ll also say: Father’s Day is important.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go pick up wrapping paper, find matching socks, and stop the kids from giving their dad a Nerf gun “surprise attack” while he’s still in the shower.
Happy Father’s Day, no matter how you celebrate.
