Early Momentum

My kids asked my wife and I “How come there’s no Kids Day like there is a Father’s Day and Mother’s Day?”

My answer was that every day is Kids Day! Kids have parents who work to provide for them! Kids have no real cares of responsibility (ok, school work, I will give him that)! Kids get to spend nearly every hour watching TV and playing! Parents on the other hand, they get just one day a year.

Fathers, this is your day!  Enjoy it while lasts.  But as you enjoy it, may you reflect on the meaning of what fatherhood is all about.

Yes, children are wonderful when you’re lying on the couch and can’t reach the remote control.   Yes it is fantastic when they are at the age in which you can bribe them to do your chores for a mere nickel (watch out though , the rates increase with age). However I have found that one of the greatest things about being a father is the privilege of raising a human being.  To teach them the ways of life in regard to sophistication , financial skills , relational skills , good judgment, goal setting and values.

Many of us have aspirations to be famous or to influence a great number of people.  It dawned on me some point years ago while still a fairly new father that it is infinitely better to  positively influence your  own child or children than to influence thousands or even millions of strangers.

May today also remind of each of us that it is not enought just to be “father.” We must also strive to become “Dad.” There is a difference! Yes, a father provides, teaches and disciplines. But it is Dad who is fun and connects with his children without judgement.

Finally, make sure you express your appreciation to your father. I know most people get that, after all that’s the whole purpose of the holiday. But I would encourage the many people who have strained relationships with their fathers to consider reaching out to them. Don’t put off making amends. After all, love them or hate them, if it wasn’t for them you wouldn’t even have a shot at this thing called life.

A Father’s Love

A father is respected because
      he gives his children leadership…
      appreciated because
      he gives his children care…
      valued because
      he gives his children time…
      loved because
      he gives his children the one thing
      they treasure most – himself.

As a kid and even as a teenager, my attitude was if something wasn’t from my time it must suck! My parents music? No way could that be any good! The movies they told me I should watch? Not a chance! But as time passed, and my horizons opened, I realized that maybe mom wasn’t all wrong. That band she grew up on, the Beatles, yeah, they were really talented and they do have some great music. That out of control head banging uncle? It turns out some of that classic 70s and early 80s rock that he was listening to holds up today as some of my favorite music.  

Few can match the charisma of David Lee Roth circa 1984!

When I was a kid, I wouldn’t  give anything that was in black and white a chance. But you know what I found, a well-written movie with great acting from any era can be awesome. Today I consider classics like Citizen Kane and Fail-Safe to be great cinema. I never would have given them a chance if I hadn’t been open to the recommendations of an older generation.  

Suspenseful by even today's standards, the 1964 classic Fail-Safe will get you thinking.

For most of us, growing up we never really get to know the uniqueness of our parents. Sure we know them superficially, after all we lived with them for much of our lives. But often as a kid we never become really interested in who they are. Growing up we don’t seem to care what their childhood was like. Most of us never ask what the towns were like that they grew up in or what their favorite music, television shows, or experiences were from when they were a child or young adult.  

One of the best things we can do to improve the relationships with our parents as well as our grandparents, is to be interested in and ask questions about their lives. Not only will we learn to appreciate them more, but we learn a thing or two in the process. Who knows, you may even gain some new interests for yourself.  

If you are a parent, this idea is equally valuable in reverse. How much do you really know about your children? Sure you love them unconditionally, but do you know their favorite movie, musician, sport or video game?  

Showing interest in others is how we become interesting. It’s no different with our loved ones.