Dads Are Awesome – Let Me Count The Ways

Father’s Day just doesn’t seem to get the same recognition as Mother’s Day.  Yes being a mom, I know how much work and sacrifice and loss of sleep is involved with motherhood, not to mention all that comes with actual childbirth.  At the same time, times are shifting and gender norms are changing.  Many dads are now doing more housework and hands-on parenting and some are even opting to stay at home while mom heads to work.  While retail has been stepping up its game and gearing more towards dads, the attention isn’t the same.
To be honest, I never really know what to get my husband or my dad for Father’s Day.  When I ask them, I usually get “It’s ok, I don’t need anything”.  They just don’t seem to care or make a big deal about it.  So what I end up doing is spending time getting a really nice card and cooking a favorite meal or taking them out to eat.  Maybe, dads don’t really need that much, and even if that is the case, dads play a different but pivotal role in children’s lives so let’s take the time to talk about how awesome dads can be.
Here are ten ways that dads rock.  I’m not saying that moms can’t do these things, they absolutely can, but I think there are just some things that dad does better so let’s give credit where credit’s due.
e to edit.

​The girls always giggle with glee when my hubby hoists them up on his shoulders.  Most dads have the upper body strength as well as the height to give their children an elevated view of the world.  They also have the endurance to carry children this way for a long time.  The girls are so wiggly at times, I’m afraid of dropping them, plus then I worry about the girls tugging on my hair and tangling it.  Hubby does it like there’s nothing to it so kudos to him.

​Whether it’s a living room fortress, a makeshift tent, or a tree house, dads are second only to children.  Dads aren’t as concerned about furniture, cushions, boxes, and other things being flipped upside down, and strewn all over the place in the name of good ol’ fun, they know eventually everything will be put back in place.  Plus, they make the most awesome fortresses and will often play along too!  Me, I’d be flipping out if the picture above happened at my house, but that being said, I did attempt a fortress for my girls and my niece and nephew this March Break.

​Not too shabby right?

​Dads are more likely to engage in rougher play than moms do.  Rough play is generally something that’s high energy and can high toss, involving tickling, tug of war, chasing, wrestling, and play fighting.  While it may be worrisome that children may get hurt, rough play enables children to test and practice physical and social skills, take some risks, and learn about their bodies, including how strong they are all within a safe and supportive environment.

I don’t have the strength to toss the kids that high and I worry about being able to catch them (I have no eye-hand coordination when it comes to physical things but can play the piano go figure).  The girls love to gang up on Daddy with a tickle fest and the shrieks and giggles are proof of how much fun they are having!

​I can’t speak for everyone but in my family, my dad and hubby are the relaxed and laid-back ones.  They are more tolerant of messes and certainly deal with bumps and scrapes better than I do.  Moms tend to be the soothers of boo-boos but dads handle the actual events and emergency situations better.  I remember when E tripped and fell in the basement, biting her lip in the process, I freaked out at all the blood that I saw but hubby calmly picked her up, checked her, and distracted her with a quiet activity.

When it comes to playing silly, I think dads win hands down.  It’s not that moms don’t play and act silly with their children but I would probably do it within the comforts of my own home where people don’t see me.  Hubby, however, doesn’t really care who sees him and will be as into character and animated with the kids, whoever and whatever is needed.  He’d even run around in costume with the kids when it was not Halloween.

Could you see yourself doing this?  Hubby would and he wouldn’t care a bit.

​You’ve heard of moms acting like mama bears but dads are also fiercely protective of their children, especially daughters.  Having three girls at home, even though they aren’t even close to that stage yet hubby has already started planning his protection plan for them with the first rule: no dating ever!  Who are we kidding right?  We know it will happen so plan B is a set of rules/guidelines for their dating partners.  I actually read hubby this list and he was like, yup yup, and yup!

​Let’s face it, no one does better corny jokes than dad.  Even though you may groan and roll your eyes at dad, you probably can’t resist chuckling a little bit.  Even though the girls don’t quite get it yet, hubby’s jokes are quite corny and I find myself doing a facepalm while laughing at the same time.

​No matter what, I knew that I could always count on my dad to pick me up from wherever I was even if it was odd hours of the day or bad weather.  While he may feel like grumbling, he never showed it and always reinforced that I call him if I needed him.  Thanks, dad!

Moms and dads have different instincts when it comes to kids.  I can sense when something is wrong with the girls and will wake up a few minutes before they wake up whereas hubby could sleep right through it.  When it comes to the children’s safety though, hubby has this “spidey sense” going on and it seems that it’s quite a common thing among fathers.

​Dads are very creative when it comes to finding ways to make their parenting lives easier.  Remember the YouTube video where a dad uses a vacuum to do his child’s ponytail?  It’s unorthodox but it gets the job done.

You may think that the baby with microfiber attached to its onesie is ingenious but there’s actually another hack that’s even better for cleaning and provides entertainment.  I’m not going to spoil it for you but check out this.
(By the way, while I’m not endorsing this, hubby thinks it’s a great idea and wants to try it).

Recently, we’ve had some concerns with M’s bowels and it was recommended that we feed her prune juice.  Hubby didn’t feel so confident feeding her by spoon so his hack was using the Vitamin D syringe to feed her – not a drop wasted!

Has your dad or partner come up with interesting hacks?  I’d love to know!

For all that you do dad, even the things that embarrass us, we appreciate and love you!
​Happy Father’s Day and may you keep on rocking your awesomeness!

Julie