"Real" Fathers Day Gifts for Dads
by Mark Branderburg
Fathers are becoming more involved in their families today. They have a deep
desire to connect emotionally with their families. However, they often lack the
skills to do so. Here are ten "gift ideas" for Father’s Day to help the father
in your life to relax, enjoy, and to connect with other loved ones:
1. Admire what they do
Fathers do need to have their ego stroked and to have their families notice the
quality of their work or other accomplishments. Letting them know will have
their spirits soar.
2. Encourage them to share their life with their families.
Fathers often don’t easily share their everyday life with their families. It may
seem "boring" to them to share the events of the day. Encouraging Dad to share
will help others feel closer to him. And, it will be more likely they’ll share
their lives with him!
3. Give him the gift of food
Are their Dads out there who don’t love to eat? Cook him a great meal, or take
him out to dinner. A father with good food in front of him is a happy father.
4. Talk to him using a "bottom line" approach
Fathers like to get to the point. It’s harder for them to follow long, detailed
stories. At least for one day, get right to the point concerning what you’re
telling him. He’ll appreciate it, and he won’t stress about missing the details!
5. Be patient with him as he learns to raise his kids
Fathers aren’t always the most skilled at effective parenting, especially during
the early stages. Be patient with him as he makes mistakes. If he feels
criticized, he may lose hope and give up an opportunity to learn and grow.
Gentle encouragement helps.
6. Ask him to get involved in an activity
Fathers love to be active, and they often connect with others by "doing
something." Ask the Dad in your family to go on a bike ride or go to a game. As
long as their active, Dads are pretty happy.
7. Provide him with "vegetable time"
We don’t mean gardening here! Yes, dads like to be active, but they also like to
vegetate sometimes. Give Dad some time to do nothing, and he’ll curl up and do
nothing with the best of them!
8. Give him a romantic evening
Fathers feel like handymen in their homes at times. Nothing will snap them out
of that as quickly as a romantic evening. And, this isn’t over when the dinner
or movie ends. It ends when he has permission to follow his biological urge
after making love-- sleeping!
9. Touch him Dads love to be hugged and touched by their family members. And
even if they don’t act like they do, hug them anyway! It helps them to leave
their heads and enter their hearts.
10. Give him new power tools.
OK, this one doesn’t really help him connect with others, but it does satisfy
some deep urge within him. And if it makes him feel good, why not?
Mark Brandenburg MA, CPCC, coaches busy parents by phone to balance their life
and improve their family relationships. For a FREE twenty minute sample session
by phone; ebooks, courses, articles, and a FREE newsletter, go to
http://www.markbrandenburg.com. or
email him at
mark@markbrandenburg.com.