Dear Fathers,
Happy Father’s Day. Thank you for your contributions to your families. In the US, at least, I don’t think we have shown enough support or encouragement of you. We haven’t valued you enough in our collective conscious.
Often, we see you as a bulwark and not the human that you are. That’s a mistake.
Some of us have pushed you out of the decision making process for our families. Another mistake.
We need your input, even if we don’t always like it. Two minds sharpen better than one alone.
Many of you are the economic engines of your families. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Without you, our lives would be very different.
Contrary to popular belief, mothers don’t always have it together. Parenthood is stressful. We need your help to make things right, because when you help your kids, you help us women, and I admire you for it.
I once read that mothers protect their children from the world and fathers prepare them for it. It changed my view of your contributions.
I no longer want you to parent like me and instead want you to be more of you.
I am a geodesic dome, but you, you are the one that takes things apart and shows how to put it together. You are the one helping with design projects, teaching guitar, exploring the backcountry on a dirt bike.
I have to put my trust in you that you will keep our daughter safe. When I’m sick with worry, our daughter runs in loving the thrill of the ride.
I solve every problem with a hug. You solve problems by explaining how the world works.
I want to protect our daughter from the world. You teach her to master it.
As a society we haven’t valued you enough. Mothers have been given and gladly taken a lot of credit for raising children, but by and large we are not the Madonnas society wants us to be.
The truth is, when I’m at a loss, I turn to you.
So fathers, we need more of you, not less. Do not settle for askance looks that you’re not important. Make your presence known, and work with us to raise the most cherished human we will ever encounter.
– One Mother