EVERY DAY IS FATHER’S DAY
So, Father’s Day has come and gone for another year.
I hope all the dads out there had a great day, but with only 24 hours for celebration, does that leave us with a post-paternal glow or just the grounding sense of getting back to the usual chores and challenges of fatherhood?
I may be overstating the case with Scrooge-like cynicism, but there’s something to be said for avoiding the day and its traditions of cards, gifts and lunches.
Indeed, after it was first created in the early part of last century, it was the support and promotion from the retail sector – specifically the Father's Day Council, founded by the New York Associated Men's Wear Retailers – that saw it become a national and, subsequently, international day.
As a child, I was actively discouraged by my parents from marking the day (and likewise Mother’s Day) on the grounds it was unnecessary tokenism.
That stuck with me and even though I am now a dad of a toddler who likes nothing more than seeing her express love and gratitude, I will be passing on the same advice once she reaches the age where the pressure starts to mount and she feels obliged to “do something for Father’s Day”.
Why be celebrated for doing something that is a natural act of child rearing?
We do this because we love and cherish our kids, not as a form of charity or some grand gesture to earn brownie points.
All we ask in return is commensurate love from our children and that they follow their dreams and act with good intent. Sure, they’ll test and tire us, but that is all part of what we signed up for.
Being a full-time dad, I get to experience the rewards of fatherhood daily, and as the adage goes, “you are only young once” so I value these days, the good ones and the frustrating ones; when they are screaming with delight and when you are elbow deep in shit.
That is the reality of being a parent. And the reality is that every day is Father’s Day.
Chris Familton is a Sydney-based music journalist and regular contributor to Germinal Press, and the proud father of a young and typically feisty daughter.
Comments
On Saturday, September Sep 2012 Simon Grigg said...
“Well said Chris.”
On Saturday, September Sep 2012 SheileE said...
“I'd say exactly the same things go through many mum's minds as well. To me, it's always been a forced, "un-fun" day, probably why my husband and I don't celebrate either.”
On Monday, October Oct 2012 Terence said...
“When's this going to be available in stores? Couldn't find it yesterday...”
On Monday, October Oct 2012 Germinal Press said...
“Thanks for your comment Terence - the book will be available in stores in approx. 4 weeks. In the meantime, you can purchase off our website for $15.99. Again, thanks for your enquiry.”
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