Overcoming the Irony of Father’s Day

Image result for father's day

 

The irony of Father’s Day is that many fathers use it as “our day”, wanting to spend it alone participating in our own hobbies and desires. I have fallen into this trap as much as anyone. But as fathers day is a celebration of our fatherhood, it should be more appropriate for us to spend it with our children.

Father’s Day was first observed in 1908 in a small West Virginia town, mainly because Mother’s Day was already practiced and they didn’t want the fathers to feel left out. It wasn’t officially recognized until the mid-1960s, delayed so long because of the fear it would become commercialized (who got a tie today?).

But truly Father’s Day begins at a different time for each of us. Mine began 10 years ago about 4 months after my first son was born. As with most first time fathers, I was scared and excited. I made him a promise to do my best to take care of him, protect him, and teach him how to thrive in his time on Earth. I certainly do that better some days than others, but it is still my standard.

My second son came home from from the hospital on Father’s Day, a wonderful present, with my daughter coming along over 3 years later. I also have another daughter joining us any day, another wonderful Father’s Day present. I try to spend time with each of my children frequently, but it’s often hard and I often fall short. But that same promise I made to my first born remains in effect for all of my other children as well.

I love my kids. I want to be a good father. Someone said last week that “a bad [father] who cares is still better than any [father] who doesn’t.” This Father’s Day I’m going to make it a point to spend time with my kids, because it really is their day–I wouldn’t be able to strive to this ideal without them.