by Joey Watkins, Friday, July 18, 2008

July is quickly passing by, and that means so is summer for those of us in the northern hemisphere.

Summers are, of course, unique for our sons and daughters.

It is the time of year when most of them are out of school and have more time for other activities, summer jobs, time with friends…

And more opportunities for us dads to spend time with them.

How am I doing with spending time with my children so far this summer?

Have I taken extra time off work to be with my family?

Am I taking advantage of my kids being out of school for these few short weeks?

If not, let me encourage you to maximize the remainder of the summer and do so.

Be intentional about spending time with your children.  Work can wait. It will always be there. Your kids won’t.

R E S O U R C E S   for   D A D S

How To Be Your Daughter’s Daddy

by Dan Bolin

365 Ideas to spend time with your daughter and show your love and care to her.  Learn More and Order

How To Be Your Little Man’s Dad

by Dan Bolin

365 things to do with your son and model fatherhood to him.  Learn More and Order

by Joey Watkins

July 4th weekend is upon us.  For many in the United States, it includes a day off work and watching fireworks.

For us family dads, it also offers many of us more time with our family than a usual weekend.

And an opportunity to create another lasting memory with them.

Here are 10 creative ideas to celebrate our country’s birthday with your family this weekend:

1. Have a “USA Birthday” family picnic complete with cake and candles ( don’t forget red, white, and blue icing!)

2. Go to an armed services memorial park and read the plaques together

3. Visit a cemetery and look for soldier gravesites

4. Visit a historic landmark that relates to our country’s “story”

5. Attend a muncipal fireworks display, parade, or other July 4th event

6. Have your own fireworks celebration in your driveway (don’t forget the sparklers)

7. Read the Declaration of Independence to your family

8. Read the history of July 4th, Independence Day, to your family

9. Creatively decorate your yard together with American flags

10. Make a red-white-blue meal or treat with colored ingredients
(Hint: strawberries, blueberries, whipped cream, etc.)

Bonus#11! Serve a family whose dad is overseas in the armed services

We certainly want to remember the many thousands of family dads who are overseas this weekend and are unable to be with their family. We are indebted to you for your sacrifice and service to your country.

Here is a very special video clip of a soldier Dad who returned home from Iraq for a surprise visit to his young son. It chokes me up every time I watch it.

It’s late May, and your family may be discussing, planning, or about to embark on a summer vacation. Vacations are an opportunity for us dads to put all our work on pause, unplug from email, phone calls, projects, to-do lists, and all the pressures and responsibilities of our work, and simply focus on spending time together as a family. It’s a chance for us to create memories with our wife and children and have fun together. What family dad doesn’t like the idea of that!?

So, have you given thought to what vacations your family will take this summer when your children are out of school? Are you discussing it with your wife? My experience has been that she puts more thought into this than I do. It’s important to her. Since we homeschool and she is the primary schoolteacher, this is a much needed break for her. Maybe your wife feels a similar need for a “break” from her school-year routine with the kids. Honor her with your involvement in the process of planning family vacations this summer, and then be fully involved *during* the vacation with all your heart focused on your family — not thinking about the work you left behind or will have awaiting you when you return.

Here are a few family vacation ideas to get your mind thinking…

Camping, Cruise, Visit Relatives, Visit Another Family With Children of Similar Ages, Amusement Theme Park, Water Theme Park, National Parks, National Forests, Explore Places of History, Explore Scenic Outdoors, Beach, Lake, Mountains, White Water Rafting, Canoeing, Hiking, Mountain Biking, House Swap With Another Family You Know, Serve Another Family, Travel To A Foreign Culture.

One more thing, dad. Since gas prices are now outrageous, keep that in mind as you plan your vacation. But don’t let that prevent you from vacationing with your family. Be creative and look for nearby vacation spots if necessary. But don’t miss the opportunity before you this summer to lay everything aside, have some fun, enjoy your family, and create some great memories with them!