IN my Mother’s Day column, I encouraged those in any mother’s inner circle to deliver something important to mums to honour that holiday. I wasn’t talking about gifts. Now the time has come to consider all things fatherhood so that we may honour, cherish and celebrate dads everywhere. It is interesting that both Mother’s and Father’s Day began out of the mourning of the loss of a parent. Anna Jarvis’ celebration of her dead mother inspired what we now know as Mother’s Day. And Grace Golden Clayton was grieving the loss of her father in 1907, when the Monongah Mining Disaster killed 362 men of which 250 were fathers, resulting in around 1,000 children without dads.
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It wouldn’t be until 1966 that Father’s Day became official in the US. Despite its late start, it was only a matter of time until the rest of the world caught on to the importance of applauding fathers. So what is it that dads would like from us this Sunday to show we care? While I’m risking receiving hate mail from local hardware stores, you might be surprised to know that it’s not more tools! Let me clarify - tools are only as good as the time dads get to use them and this is where we can help.
Tips on how to show dad that he IS the sharpest tool in the shed:
- Find out what dad’s currency is. It might be some time with mates or time in the garden. Help make it happen and you’re guaranteed a happy dad.
- Let dad know that everything he does for the family is appreciated … and that you love him even when he has a grumpy moment.
- Support his dreams. In Buddhism this is referred to as sympathetic joy.
I’m not into pandering, placating or pussyfooting but I am all about health, harmony and happiness, so in the interest of the latter three, I would encourage you take the time this Father’s Day to really get to know dad. I sense the difference in my husband if he comes home from work to a harmonious environment. This is not about invalidating the mum's day as she hands the kids to dad quicker than you can say, "What's for dinner?" It's just that many dads make a direct link to what they're doing 'out there' to support the family with the degree of happiness in the home.
