I hate everything fake. For instance, there’s the fake news that’s been in the media so much lately. And then there are fake smiles. You know the kind of smile that doesn’t reach the eyes? But most of all, I hate fake holidays, such as Father’s Day.
Without any spiritual, historical, or religious significance, Father’s Day is simply a Hallmark holiday. It exists for one reason and one reason only—to guilt families into spending money on Dad. I saw a survey recently that said an average family typically spends $135 on Father’s Day.
Are the families buying anything that dad couldn’t live without? I heard in an Al-Anon meeting a long time ago that there is no one on the planet who has anything you need. As a sober man, all I need is a day of sobriety, food, water, a place to sleep tonight, and enough money to get through the day. Everything else is a want—and if I want a new tie, I can go out and buy it for myself.
Because being a father is its own reward. And if that’s how you see it, then you don’t need a fake holiday, because every day is Father’s Day.
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I’ve always told my family to ignore Father’s Day, because the whole point of being a father is that you don’t need to be rewarded for something that you’re supposed to do. I have four kids, and my family’s average day is tumultuous at best, but I am grateful for every single moment with my kids. Because being a father is its own reward. And if that’s how you see it, then you don’t need a fake holiday, because every day is Father’s Day.
I find the rewards of fatherhood much more satisfying when I’m giving to my kids instead of the other way around. I like cheering their Little League games, I like helping my kids with their homework. I like making family time that creates lasting memories.
In short, fatherhood isn’t about what your kids do for you. It’s about what you do for them.
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In short, fatherhood isn’t about what your kids do for you. It’s about what you do for them. And that’s a sentiment you’ll never find on a store-bought Father’s Day card.
If on any day of the year, my kids want to tell me they love me, tell me that I’m a good dad, or tell me anything positive, great. By the way, if you have to wait for Father’s Day to get a sense from your family that you’re doing a good job, you probably aren’t doing that good of a job. But the last thing I want is for them to feel obligated by a fake holiday to show affection they may not feel or buy stuff that I don’t particularly need.
I may be coming across here as unsentimental, but my kids will tell you that I am the most sentimental person on the planet. I’ve always been open with my emotions about how much I love being a dad.
You can call me the Grinch who stole Father’s Day, but for me, Father’s Day is 365 days a year. And that’s the way I like it.
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Photo: Getty Images
I presume you also don’t believe in Mother’s Day because thats “fake ” too ..right?
I can’t speak for the author, but yes, Mother’s Day is even more fake, since mothers are hyped so much more than fathers. Valentine’s Day is another useless Hallmark holiday designed for people to spend money on pointless cards and useless junk.