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Parent24 Editor, Scott Dunlop
Wondering what to do this Sunday? Not only is it Youth Day, but it’s Father’s Day, too. As Hannah insists, that means I don’t get breakfast in bed, but I get to make them breakfast, because she says it’s their day, too. Fair enough. Either way, there will be lots to celebrate.
All over the country this week children will be asking their moms “what does Dad like?” so that they can make cards or go on Top Secret shopping trips. They’ll be giggling as they try not to reveal what’s in store (or, as my kids are more likely to do, give all the secrets away and then pretend as if I don’t know).
Children are terrible at keeping secrets.
Actually, I like to tell them that in the case of presents or treats, those are surprises rather than secrets. That’s so there’s less confusion when it comes to keeping secrets. I want them to be able to talk about everything.
One aspect of Parent24 which I adore is that there are so many awesome dads who write for us, comment on articles or just read up on how to be the best fathers possible for their kids. Dads who take an interest in their children and aren’t content to sit back and let mom do all of the child-rearing. The old cliché of dad being characterized as a bumbling oaf is slowly disappearing, and a generation of children is growing up with dads who cook, dads who change nappies, dads who can communicate. Role models.
There are also father figures who pick up the slack left by fathers who aren’t involved. Granddads and uncles. Stepdads and partners who have chosen to be available to the children of their partners. Very often these are the guys who will quietly explain to children that getting a tattoo of Justin Bieber is probably not a great idea, or that learning how to change a tyre is just as important as learning how to use the whammy bar on an electric guitar. You don’t have to be a biological dad to be a great father figure.
But Hannah is right: Sunday is also about celebrating the youth of this nation. The ones who will inherit this world we leave behind. It will be a privilege to flip some bacon and eggs around for them. Probably pancakes, too. Writing this makes me miss them. I wish I could just slip away from my desk, and go and hang out with them during Big Break. Share our sandwiches and play on-on.
Dads can be very good at being kids…
Enjoy your Sunday, fathers, youths and youthful fathers!
If you have a Super Dad in your life, be it your dad, stepdad, grandad or uncle then enter our Super Dad competition!
All over the country this week children will be asking their moms “what does Dad like?” so that they can make cards or go on Top Secret shopping trips. They’ll be giggling as they try not to reveal what’s in store (or, as my kids are more likely to do, give all the secrets away and then pretend as if I don’t know).
Children are terrible at keeping secrets.
Actually, I like to tell them that in the case of presents or treats, those are surprises rather than secrets. That’s so there’s less confusion when it comes to keeping secrets. I want them to be able to talk about everything.
One aspect of Parent24 which I adore is that there are so many awesome dads who write for us, comment on articles or just read up on how to be the best fathers possible for their kids. Dads who take an interest in their children and aren’t content to sit back and let mom do all of the child-rearing. The old cliché of dad being characterized as a bumbling oaf is slowly disappearing, and a generation of children is growing up with dads who cook, dads who change nappies, dads who can communicate. Role models.
There are also father figures who pick up the slack left by fathers who aren’t involved. Granddads and uncles. Stepdads and partners who have chosen to be available to the children of their partners. Very often these are the guys who will quietly explain to children that getting a tattoo of Justin Bieber is probably not a great idea, or that learning how to change a tyre is just as important as learning how to use the whammy bar on an electric guitar. You don’t have to be a biological dad to be a great father figure.
But Hannah is right: Sunday is also about celebrating the youth of this nation. The ones who will inherit this world we leave behind. It will be a privilege to flip some bacon and eggs around for them. Probably pancakes, too. Writing this makes me miss them. I wish I could just slip away from my desk, and go and hang out with them during Big Break. Share our sandwiches and play on-on.
Dads can be very good at being kids…
Enjoy your Sunday, fathers, youths and youthful fathers!
If you have a Super Dad in your life, be it your dad, stepdad, grandad or uncle then enter our Super Dad competition!
