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Twin Cities Mom Collective

A Thank You Note To All The Good Dads

A Thank You Note To All The Good Dads | Twin Cities Moms Blog The other day I had the rare privilege of making a solo grocery run. That meant that instead of my attention being consumed with the chaos going on within the wheels of my kid-packed cart, I actually had the capacity to take in the Target atmosphere in all its glory. My first stop was the produce area, where I noticed a woman gently reminding her daughter that they had to pay for the bananas before she could peel one and eat it. As I continued on through the aisles, many other normal conversations were being had, including a mom threatening her kids that it would be the last time she’d bring them along unless they stopped asking for everything under the sun.

Finally, just as I was finishing up on the grocery end, I saw a new mother with her tiny baby in her arms, calming him down as she made her dairy selections. I started the trek across the store, and just then, out of nowhere, a young dad and his toddler-aged son literally ZOOMED past me. It was just the two of them, and they were having a blast. The little boy squealed and giggled a hearty laugh as his dad whipped around the corner while simultaneously making race car noises and yelling, “Hold on tight, right turn ahead!” In that moment, it was obvious that nothing else mattered to that dad except seeing the joy that was in his son’s face as they raced through the store. I think I smiled through the remainder of the trip. I had just witnessed the most precious sight, and it made me think about how grateful I am for the man who’s the father of my children. I could totally envision him doing something like that, but I wondered if I would be as excited about it, or if I’d sort of roll my eyes and wish he wouldn’t cause a scene.

I guess the whole deal got me thinking. It got me thinking about all the good dads out there and how lucky those of us are who have men in our lives who love our children in ways only dads can. It got me thinking about how so many of the articles we read about parenthood are focused on moms and the work we do, and how we could do a better collective job thanking the good dads out there. So today I’d like to take a few minutes and thank those men, the good dads, for all the things they do.


 

 

Dear Good Dads,

We’d like to start off by saying we notice you. Yes, even though we’re busy being moms, we notice you. We see the tender way you look at us and the way you look at our kids that shows just how much love you have for us. We see you when you wake up early in the morning and head out to a job that demands much of you. Thank you for the sacrifices you make for us. Thank you for enduring long days and intense meetings so you can provide us a great life.

Thank you for answering our text messages and phone calls so we can vent and tell you how hard our days have been, while we oftentimes forget that your day also has its challenges. Thank you for walking in the door at night and understanding when we greet you quickly and hand you a screaming baby. Thank you for all the times you play on the floor with the kids, turning yourself into their favorite  jungle gym, so we can have a half hour to get dinner on the table. Thank you for making our kids giggle like only you can, and for acting silly just to hear their contagious laughs. Thank you for being willing to engage in tough conversations together as we land on the best discipline strategies for our little ones.

Thank you for holding us accountable and helping us to follow through with those strategies even when we want to take the easy way out. Thank you for teaching our children so many things, like learning how to ride a bike or how to throw a ball. More importantly, thank you for teaching them how to care for others, how to put others before themselves, and how to be an example of what it means to do the right thing in any circumstance. Thank you for teaching our boys how to be men, and teaching our girls to never settle for less than the best. Thank you for instilling confidence in them and for always reminding them of how proud you are to be their dad. Thank you for saying I LOVE YOU every day and for reminding them of how secure they are in your love.

Thank you for putting up with our drama and for making us feel understood, even when you know our emotions are getting the best of us and we’re acting completely ridiculous. Thank you for loving us despite our ever changing bodies and reminding us that we’re beautiful even when we don’t feel like it. Thank you for being our rock and for keeping our family anchored together.  Most of all, thank you for being there. Your presence in our children’s lives is a gift that will forever shape their character and the success they’ll have in society. You being there matters. You matter, and we want to thank you from the depths of our hearts for being a good dad. We know not everyone is so lucky, that you are a rare treasure, and that we should never take you for granted.

Love, Moms Everywhere


 

To the dad I saw at Target, I hope I see you zoom past me again. Keep on keeping on. You are inspiring moms everywhere to remember how lucky we are to have guys like you in our lives.

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2 comments

Ainsley August 14, 2014 at 12:28 PM

I really resonate with the sentiment of your post, and it’s true that more needs to be written about the dad’s role in parenting, vs. everything being for moms. However I feel it would be more accurate to say “Love, Stay-at-home Moms Everywhere” because much of this doesn’t describe households where both parents work or where parenting is shared more equally (or where Dad is the one to stay home while Mom works!). For example, I would thank my partner for being willing to change his work schedule to pick up kids from daycare so that I can stay late for a meeting, and for teaming up with me to make dinner and pack lunches. Just remembering that there are many types of families out there who are raising good kids.

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Amber August 14, 2014 at 1:21 PM

Hi Ainsley! That’s a great point! I can only write from my perspective and personal experiences, but I know there are so many other types of amazing families out there. I would love to hear a similar thank you note written from a perspective of working parents or a working mom. I think its fascinating to hear all perspectives and learn how we can best support and encourage each other! Thanks for your comment!

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