fathering
show up
If I had to theorize what a man has to do to become a great dad, I would say that all that he has to do is show up.
Now don’t misunderstand me. There are many intricacies, complexities and responsibilities to parenting that I don’t intend to minimize with that statement. But how many games, how many recitals, how many parent-teacher conferences, how many little kids faces would be forever changed if more dads would just show up? Sometimes the solution is just that simple.
have you seen this man?
Me neither.
splen-dad
Among the many roles that I fill, the one I’m most proud of is being a dad. Dads don’t get the respect that they deserve in our society. The media depicts them as absent, bumbling idiots, clueless, soulless or absent. Yeah, I said absent twice.
So, when I see a dad present in a movie or a commercial where he’s basking in a positive light, I take notice. I go so far as to cheer it and celebrate it.