The Best Father’s Day Gift: 7 Ways to Show Dad How Much He Matters

12 Jun The Best Father’s Day Gift: 7 Ways to Show Dad How Much He Matters

Posted at 18:57h in Fatherhood by Dr. Christina Hibbert 0 Comments

Dads Matter.

I write often about how much moms matter, and certainly we do matter—tremendously. But today, it’s dad’s turn. Dads matter, too. Tremendously.

Unfortunately, I’ve seen too many dads who don’t fully realize how important they are. They don’t realize the potential they have to influence their children and families for the better. Many feel insignificant when it comes to their role as a father or feel inadequate at parenting and raising children.

7 Ways to Show Dad How Much He Matters
This Father’s Day, why not give your favorite dad the best gift of all—confidence and support in his most important role. Show him how much he matters—to you, to your children, to the world. Here are 7 ideas to get you started.

1) Show him the research on how fathers impact children for the better. I wrote an article about this last year—In The Best Father's Day Gift: 7 Ways to Show Dad How Much He Matters; www.DrChristinaHibbert.com #fathersday #fatherhood #dad Praise of Fathers: 10 Research-Based Ways Dads Impact Kids for the Better—and it still holds true. The research is clear: children need their fathers (or a loving father figure). They benefit greatly when dad is an active part of their lives. Show him this research and add your testimony of the great impact fathers have had on your life or the lives of your children.

2) Moms—Let Dad do things “his” way, then see the good in it. Tell him how grateful you are for what he does as a dad. Often we mothers are the biggest block to our husbands/partners feeling successful as fathers. We are the “gateway” to the children, and whether we mean to or not, we can block opportunities for him to shine in his role as “dad.” It’s taken me years to stop preventing my husband from wrestling with our kids late at night. It used to drive me crazy because they’d be all riled up before sleep, but I realized it’s more important for them to have those memories with their dad. He feels great playing with them, and I feel grateful he wants to play. Let him do things his way, then see the good and tell him what you see.

3) Write a heartfelt letter, and encourage his children to do the same. Dad may seem too “tough” for a love letter, but trust me, he’s not. Write about your favorite memories. Write about what you love most about him. Write how much good he does for you and how much you need him in your life. Write, “I love you.” Don’t waste a minute of life’s precious time. Make sure he knows exactly how much he matters to you—and the kids—by writing it down.

4) Give him opportunities to be a leader in the home. We women can sometimes take over things at home, making it frustrating for the men who really do want to be the role model and lead the family. Invite him to be in charge of an important family activity, meeting, or event. Tell him how much you admire his leadership abilities and encourage him to use them with the children. Support and encourage his efforts. Repeat daily.

5) Encourage him to spend quality, one-on-one time with each child, and encourage the children to do the same. Parenting is really about the relationship we develop with each child. Help Dad strengthen his relationships by encouraging one- The Best Father's Day Gift: 7 Ways to Show Dad How Much He Matters; www.DrChristinaHibbert.com on-one time. Daddy-daughter dates, father-son activities—these are pivotal in creating strong family relationships. Even if you’re an adult, spending one-on-one time with your father is a wonderful gift. Having time to get to know one another without other family members around builds bonds that last a lifetime. It shows children, and fathers, how much they really matter.

6) Speak his love language. How does he best receive love? Is it physical touch? Spending time? Words of affirmation? Gifts? Acts of service? Discover his love language, then use it to show him how much he matters. Have his children do the same. (More on Love Languages here.)

7) Commit to building him up as a father, then communicate your commitment. As a mom of six, I know how easy it can be to get caught up in just keeping up. Too often, I forget how important it is to nurture my husband’s role and relationships as a father. It is important. As my children have grown, I have seen how he compliments me and how, together as parents, we have so much more to offer our children.

Don’t forget the fathers in your life. Commit to supporting and strengthening them in their role as a father. Then, tell them how much you need them. Write it, say it, sing it…whatever method works best for you.

We need strong fathers in our families. We need strong fathers in our world. This Father’s Day, and every day, commit to giving the best gift of all—the gift of encouragement, support, and unconditional love for fathers and all they do.

How have fathers made an impact in your life? What are your suggestions for strengthening dads, showing them they matter? Leave a comment, below!

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