Hey, have you gotten perfect Father’s Day present yet? For each father, the wish list will be different, which presents a fun and unique challenge for mothers and their children to find that perfect gift!
Even the name “father” takes many forms of addressing the man we call father. It could be “Dad,” “Daddy,” “Gramps,” “Papa” and “Pops.” Whether it be a grandfather, friend, guardian, or god parent serving as a child’s father, the roles that dads play in a young child’s life are so important.
As a teacher, I deeply appreciate the roles that fathers have done in my classrooms over the years. My classroom dads have helped me with field trips, planning a lot of games, as well as serving as jungle gyms or ball players, etc. in showing love to their children, grandchildren and other children.
Father’s Day was thought of and created as a way to compliment Mother’s Day in honoring our fathers. Who we honor as our fathers takes on a personal note in who we relate to as our fathers.
It could be our biological father, grandfather, a distant relative, a good friend to our family who serves in the role of father to our child or children. Fathers play such a vital role in a young child’s life.
We have access to our Heavenly Father, Psalm 145:18-the Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. Isn’t it such peace and security in knowing our Heavenly Father is always listening?
In the United States, the first modern Father’s Day was celebrated on July 5, 1908 in Fairmont, West Virginia at Williams Memorial Methodist Church. Another initiator of beginning Father’s Day was Sonora Smart Dodd. She wanted to honor her dad and Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart. Dodd was encouraged and inspired by Anna Jarvis’ efforts to establish Mother’s Day.
Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June every year.
The very first June Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910 in Spokane, Washington. The date of Father’s Day varies in different countries.
In looking back through my teaching files that children can do Father’s Day gifts or activities, I ran across some that I’d like to share.
Simply making a paper or cardboard Father’s Day card with the child’s hands traced on the front or a snapshot picture of a father’s child is a keepsake.
Simply filling a jar with kisses and hugs to let daddy know you love him with a note or a hug. What a sweet treat!
Little hands can always pitch in to fix dad’s favorite breakfast. They love to please.
Making dad a cardboard crown to serve as “king for the day.”
Making dad a “chore coupon book” where dad can pull a chore coupon when needed.
Examples are helping with the grass, taking out the garbage, feeding the family pet or helping dad grocery shop when needed will make your child sense they are giving something to dad of their time.
The time we spend with our fathers is the most important gift. Time spent with a father in celebrating his life spells love!
I love the old saying that we hear year after year, “Any man can be a father, but it takes a special person to be called dad!
Happy Father’s Day to all our fathers!
Fathers
