Holidays can make wonderful experiences and memories for dads, kids and stepkids. They can also be stressful, and whip by incredibly fast. Here are a few things to keep in mind for making the most of your Holidays for Dads so please share them with the stylish men in your life:
1. Presence always trumps presents. More than any transient toy or other physical object, your kids crave your time and attention, so let them bask in your presence. If you’re a live-away parent, be with your kids through personal communication and traditions, rather than trying to “make up” for your situation with a flood of presents.
2. Give your child a “Time Machine.” Instead of the latest electronic gadget, give your child time (and be sure to keep the commitments you make). Here are a few examples:
- Take a simple trip together
- Keep a commitment to spend one hour of one-on-one time with your child, once a week, all year
- Make homemade decorations together
- Build a project together
- Bake Holiday cookies and regale your kids with stories from your childhood Holidays
- Learn some new things which make you a better Dad by using resources like TheDadMan.com, Daughters.com and GreatDad.com
- Pick one day between now and the Holidays to just watch your child non-judgmentally all day. Just be aware of how unique and special she or he is. At the end of the day write down everything you love about her or him and then go share the list with your child as a Holiday gift.
3. Redefine interactive. Nowadays, interactive seems to mean a toy or machine that “interacts” with an isolated individual. Remember: what really builds families is interaction between people and other people! Make room for a feast of personal interactivity this season–like a neighborhood Football Romp to exercise away those extra calories and catch up with the neighbors!
4. Consider “One In, One Out.” To relish the giving nature of the Holidays, some families use this simple and powerful tradition: For every present a family member receives, she or he donates one of their previous possessions to charity. It’s a concrete way to live the Golden Rule-and cuts down on clutter, too!
5. Make your own presents. Regardless of age, almost any child can work with stepdad or dad to make gifts-from homemade crafts to certificates for services to be rendered (e.g.: “Mom, this certificate entitles you to one month of me vacuuming the house”).
6. Wrap recycled. Use “pre-owned” wrapping paper, newspapers, old maps, and other paper products to wrap your presents. It’s a perfect way to personalize a present, while cutting down on waste and saving money.
7. Remember that simple is “in.” A simpler holiday allows us to focus more on the company of loved ones, good food, fun and relaxation-plus, it’s good for the planet. You’re not alone when you simplify and focus first on the true Holiday spirit!
8. Give to others. Help your child decide on a set amount of money she or he will give to charitable causes this year. If she’s too young to earn her own money, give her some to donate. Some kids even give donations as a gifts. Some other ideas from dads:
- “Adopt” a family through a local nonprofit. We shoot for one practical (shirt, socks etc.), one toiletry (bath soaps, shaving kit, etc) and one pure fun (game, book, stuffed animal) per person. We have a lot of fun shopping for these people that we do not know, but care about.
- Volunteer at a local charity. I devise a “menu” of places in our city that need help over the holidays, and my daughter picks. We’ve done Meals on Wheels, singing carols to seniors, helping at the animal shelter. Be sure to ask the kids for their ideas too. Often, theirs are the best!
9. Remember ritual. Repetition of meaningful rituals is an important part of building Holiday traditions and instilling positive Holiday memories for a lifetime. Rituals can include attending religious worship services, having special friends and family for a traditional meal, reading a favorite story every year, making a special Holiday morning breakfast, or anything else that draws you closer to each other. Take pictures to help remember-and be sure that YOU are in some of them!
10. Nurture the Holiday spirit all year. The Holidays remind us what special people we have for children, family members, and friends. Try to remember and cherish that special feeling every day. We only get one crack at being our child’s dad while our child is a child. So let’s make the most of it!
Learn more about healthy fathering @ TheDadMan
