Who’s Your Daddy?

Practical ways to honor and celebrate the man in your life this Father’s Day.

Let’s face it, the world makes a pretty big deal about Mother’s Day. I mean, its a REAL holiday. Brunch reservations are made, flowers are bought; there is much fanfare surrounding our celebration of mothers. And rightfully so! If mothers are the heart of our culture than fathers are most certainly the backbone.

Our men shoulder responsibility and make sacrifices daily. His strength gives our homes security. He cheers our successes and fixes what is broken.  Have you noticed that when we celebrate Moms we applaud them for having the “most important job in the world” – we celebrate Dads and tell them they too have the “most important job in the world” but then proceed to give them three tips on how to do that job better. Of course, they aren’t perfect! In fact, we all could stand to improve our game a little. (Dads AND Moms included) But, why don’t we make this Father’s day a celebration of their highlight reel rather than a game tape review.

Let the kids give him the cute cards and the tie, here are a few things YOU can give the man your babies call DADDY. 

1. Give Him Your Respect . Whether you know it or not your man craves your respect. In fact, studies show that while love is the greatest motivating factor for women, respect motivates men more than any thing else.  No matter how deserving you think he is or isn’t, a little respect goes a long way in bringing out the best in your mate. We can show respect through our words, the way we communicate AND our actions, the way we treat him.

2. Give him your heart.  As moms, we spend a great deal of our lives tending to the needs of our little ones. More than once I’ve found myself working so hard to meet my kid’s needs and unknowingly neglecting the man I love. Our days are filled with so many “have to’s” we literally must carve out time to communicate love to our mates. Make a mental note to stop and give him your full attention at least five times a day. Even if it’s just for a minute, leave the “business” conversation or nagging to the side and learn how to talk to him again.  Give him your focused attention, stop for a minute and look him in the eye. Your man may enjoy long talks or he may be more of a bullet point guy – but cultivating great conversation is a great way to give him your heart.

3.  Give him your body.  Did I just say that? Why, yes I did. Your man wants to be WANTED by you!  Sure you can pick out a sweet Father’s Day card and fill it with meaningful words, but why not deliver it in a little something sexy? (Um, I should clarify that this should not be done in front of the kids, but you knew that, right?)  

So you can stop searching Pinterest for the perfect gift and start giving him his Father’s Day gifts a little early this year. I guarantee your life will get sweeter. 

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Noelle Larson is a mom still searching to find the “balance” between her spiritual journey, family, ambition, inner peace, world peace…all while trying not to blink so she doesn’t miss one minute of her beautiful, messy life.  Noelle writes at metromom.org where she journals her crazy days chasing after her kids and husband, deep thoughts, and captures her latest adventures.