Father's Day In Photos

I am not really one for romantic or grand public gestures on social media or otherwise.  Neither is my husband, Chris, in fact it's become somewhat a point of pride for him that he has never (ever)  given me a card in the 15 plus years we've known each other. He writes songs and the most prominent one he's written about me involves me stepping on a nail at a construction site.

As I spend another Father's Day with him, one thing is really apparent. He's always been a super involved dad who cares a lot about his kids. So I'm going to celebrate him publicly.  Fatherhood is being there for your kids, being kind, and being patient.

Life with twins, particularly in the early days, is exhausting and busy.  Today we can sit back and enjoy some time with our kids one on one that isn't a way to stave the other one off from a meltdown (like we did in the not so good ol' colic days).

Happy Father's Day to all the awesome dads I know.  Happy Father's Day to all the dads, step-dads, uncles, grandfathers, brothers, mentors, dads who can't be with their families on Father's Day, dads who are no longer there, and friends who make the cut as honorary family members.  And a special thanks to all the dads and moms who are single parents and do it all!

How Will I Know? Father's Day Questions to Ask Your Kids

This year for Father's Day I didn't have my ducks in a row enough to ask a bunch of dads questions about being dads.  Instead I decided that I would ask the minions a bunch of questions about their dad and see what they had to say. This is what Molly and Jack, age four and a half thought about their dad.  Some of their insight is pretty amazing. I highly encourage parents everywhere to ask these questions to their kids and record them, because it's pretty amazing.

Skipping Stones with Daddy

1. What makes dad happy?

Molly: Daddy likes to play with me.  He likes hugs and kisses.  I am going to give him a beautiful shirt for Father's Day with a woman and a lady on it and that will make him happy.

Jack: Cuddles from Jackie Bear.

2. How does your dad make you laugh?

Molly: When he plays with me and pretends to be daddy monster and when he tells me to stop laughing, that always makes me laugh.

Jack: When Jackie Bear roars in his face.

3. What does your dad do when you’re not around?

Molly: He goes outside and looks for me.

Jack: Talks to mommy.

4. What is your dad really good at?

Molly: He's very good at kissing me and hugging me and hugging me.  He's good at lots of things like helping me not fall down.

Jack: Playing and being a dirt dog.

5. What is your dad not very good at?

Molly: He's not very good at drawing pictures.

Jack: Listening.

6. What does your dad do for a job?

Molly: He listens to what everybody says to him all day long and then eats lunch with Ziad.

Jack: Wears sunglasses and eats chocolate and dead skin.

7. If your dad were a cartoon character, who would he be?

Molly: He's like Beastur (from My Pet Monster).

Jack: Buster Bunny. (from Tiny Toons)

Chris, Um, err, Beastur Image via Behind the Voice Actors

8. How are you and your dad the same?

Molly: We both love each other.

Jack: We are like twins.

9. How are you and your dad different?

Molly: I am good at drawing and daddy is not.

Jack: We like different types of tea cookies and I like Jabba the Hut and daddy does not.

10. How do you know your dad loves you?

Molly: Because he loves me.  He always loves me, because he is so beautiful.

Jack: He's my buddy. He gives me cuddles when we watch TV and reads me stories.

11. What does your dad like most about me (mom)?

Molly: He loves that mommy and me are both so beautiful. (she kisses me on the cheek and then runs away)

Jack: He likes popping balloons with mommy.

To read my Father's Day Honest "dad" survey post from 2014 click here.
To read my Father's Day dad survey post from 2013 click here.

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My Father's Eyes

In celebration of Father's Day and all things "Dad" I went out to a number of fathers: rookie to veteran to ask them some questions and words of wisdom on fatherhood.  Below are some thoughts on becoming a dad and early days of parenthood, including thoughts from my husband Chris and my own father.  Enjoy and check in later this week for the next set of quotes in the series.

When I found out I was pregnant it felt surreal, we had just started trying and after I was two days late something felt "different". I somehow knew I was pregnant, so I took a test and my intuition was confirmed. Here's the dad perpective:

Initial Reaction to Finding Out You Were a Parent

"Ecstatic. We had been trying for a while and out of the blue it was happening." - Mike, Father to two toddler daughters

"I don't believe you!" Then went to the store and purchased three more pregnancy tests. -Chris (my husband), Father to infant toddlers Molly & Jack

"A potent cocktail of fear, joy, excitement and disbelief. If it could be synthesised in drug form it would be a great recreational drug." - Ben, father to infant son

Chris and Molly, 4 weeks old.  Back when she looked like the worm from The Labyrinth.

 

SaraBeth says: I was plagued with a double dose of pregnancy hormones almost instantly. As I trudged through winter throwing up in every snow bank in the city it felt VERY real.*

When Being A Father Felt Real

 "The second he was born it felt real. Not a second before that, however. All points leading up the birth were completely abstract for me." - Ben, father to infant son

"When we got home for the first time, we both looked at our baby and said…um, now what?"  -Jake, father to two child daughters 

"It felt real with each of you the first time I got to hold you – and confirmed the first time I changed your diaper." - My Dad - Father to three grown children, four grandchildren

"Once we got home from the hospital. I knew afterwards that i couldn't return her, or get a full refund." - Chris, Father to infant daughter


SaraBeth says: The unsolicited advice was the most rampant in the first six months. I think I've perfected my "Don't even talk to me about how insanely ridiculous my children are" face since then.  The woman at our local convenience store felt it was her obligation to criticise the way I dressed the minions for the weather.

Weirdest Parenting Advice You've Received

"Put a head band on your babies ears so their ears don't stick out." - Mike, Father to two toddler daughters

"I never really got any, everyone saved it up for you." - Chris (my husband), Father to infant toddlers Molly & Jack


Advice for New Dads

"It's a big commitment. A lot of late nights and no free time for all the things you used to do. It's all worth it but just don't be surprised when your not doing all the things you used to so frequently." Mike, Father to two toddler daughters

"Tell your kids you love them and are proud of them every chance you get."
Jake, father to two child daughters

"Be Patient."
Chris, Father of infant daughter

SaraBeth says: The best advice I ever received was from a fellow twin mom. It read, "Having twins gives you the permission to be the parent you want to be, not the one you think you should be."

Best Advice You've Received

"You're going to get a lot of advice as a new parent. Nod and say 'uh huh' and be nice when you're getting it, then pretty much ignore it and do whatever feels right."
 Ben, father to infant son

"If mama isn't happy, no one is happy."
Chris (my husband), Father to infant toddlers Molly & Jack

The Best Parts of Being a Dad (so far)

"Enjoying all of the little moments. When we were potty training my oldest she insisted on standing up when she went because she was peeing like daddy. Those little moments make every bad moment forgettable."
Mike, Father to two toddler daughters

 "One of my jobs is bath time. I love it when she holds my hand during her bath."
 Darcy, father to infant daughter

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*Little did I know that all of the pregnancy vomit was nature's way of preparing me for pukey toddlers with a penchant to upchuck on mom.