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Dads deserve a lot of credit
Mundelein, 3/23/01 --Pioneer Press Columnist, Millie Maughton.
Updated: October 26, 2011 1:06AM
With all due respect to my husband, who thought I focused too much on how much moms do day in and day out (although it was a column for Mother’s Day, honey), I would like to give equal, though belated, time to dads.
I will be the first to admit that I cannot do it alone. On the occasional times that my husband is not around because of work or for a planned guys weekend, I cringe knowing that I have to be a “single parent” for those days. No back-up getting the kids out of bed and going for the day, no help preparing meals after work, no extra driver to run the kids around to various practices and events.
Most moms will acknowledge that when dads are around, the men do their fair share, and then some. Dads now definitely do more than dads when I was young. While the most dads will coach a team or show their youngster how to ride a bike, I’ve seen dads out for a run with the jogging stroller. I’ve seen dads volunteer in their child’s classroom. I’ve seen dads be the main cook for their families.
My husband was lucky enough to be able to take several weeks off for the birth of each of our kids. I was grateful for the help and company, although I suspect he did it for more selfish reasons. He was completely enthralled by their tinyness as well as how much he could impart on them.
And thanks to him, our kids can talk intelligently about politics and global warming as well as classic rock and the attributes of a good change-up. They have experienced a real Chicago hot dog and concerts by quality performers. They have learned to be money-smart, streetwise and connoisseurs of self-sufficiency.
Having come a family of six boys (he was number five), he had to learn about dressing up and the love horseback riding after our daughter was born. He welcomed the experiences and challenges of having a girl. Although he could relate easier to boys, our kids have all benefited from his appreciation of good comedy, a well-cut lawn and the latest technology.
But often it goes deeper than that. Moms are expected to be nurturing and outwardly loving. But now, that can be part of dad’s territory as well. Dads can give hugs, kiss scraped knees and play tea party as well as give a slug to the shoulder for a job well done.
No, there’s nothing quite like a good dad. While the greeting cards may have you thinking that all they need is a hot grill and a cold beer, they just want to be appreciated by their families for all that they do. Thanks, dads.
Contact Mundelein Musings at: millienaughton@att.net
