Stream of Consciousness Sunday: All About Dads

It’s Father’s Day. Let’s face it. There are a lot of dad issues out there. It just seems that it’s easier to find a good mom than it is to find a good dad. So do we really even need them? I gave some thought to my own dad and to my husband, the father of my son. And I let the words flow about what a good dad really should be.

Today’s (Optional) Writing Prompt: Talk about fatherhood: your father, your husband as a father, yourself as a father. How important is it and the impact on our children?

Here we go…

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When it comes to Father’s Day, I have so many mixed emotions. I think that part of it is because of my own relationship with my father, which has been good, bad, up, down, on again, off again, and neutral. We’re in a good phase but the road that it’s taken to get here will never wash away.

I tend to see a lot of the same patterns with dads. I don’t know if it’s just coincidence with the people I know or if somehow I surround myself with people who happen to have similar backgrounds. Basically, it’s hard to find a good dad. And what makes him good?

He has to be present. I know that sounds like a no-brainer but he doesn’t just have to be physically present, but he always has to be mentally and emotionally present. That’s really, really hard for a lot of men in this country. For some reason, it’s tough for American men to give hugs and say I love you, even when it is for their children.

He has to be strong. Not a strong man, but a pillar a strength. He needs to set an example of how a man can take care of his family, even if he may not be the breadwinner. He is the protector and provider and children need to feel safe when dad is around.

He has to be fun. It’s inevitable that moms have to deal with the day to day. Reminding kids to brush their teeth, pick up their toys, watch their mouth, eat their peas. And while kids love, love, love some mommy time, something about time with Daddy is different. It’s special. It’s memorable.

Most importantly, a dad needs to understand that he is needed and wanted and loved.

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This was my 5 minute Stream of Consciousness Sunday post. It’s five minutes of your time and a brain dump. Want to try it? Here are the rules…

• Set a timer and write for 5 minutes.
• Write an intro to the post if you want but don’t edit the post. No proofreading or spellchecking. This is writing in the raw.
• Publish it somewhere. Anywhere. The back door to your blog if you want. But make it accessible.
• Add the Stream of Consciousness Sunday badge to your post.
• Link up your post below.
• Visit your fellow bloggers and show some love.

Now…

1. Grab the button

(it’s over in the sidebar)

2. Write your post.

3. Link up here.