What Does Dad Want For Father’s Day?

Father’s Day is coming up on Sunday, June 18. If you are trying to figure out what to do to ensure the dad in your life feels celebrated, I have a pro tip I’ll share with you;

Ask him!

If I have learned anything in my nearly 13 years as a parent, it’s that my husband cannot read my mind and I cannot read his. I promise that remembering this is crucial in a marriage and certainly while raising kids. I forget this from time to time and it’s an immediate recipe for frustration and disappointment that could have been avoided.

It’s entirely possible he is not interested in a day filled with an A-Z agenda. Remember this if he gives you the ever (un)helpful answer of, “I don’t know, whatever” when asked what he wants to do. He might genuinely just want a day of no agenda, no plans. If that makes you uncomfortable because you are a planner, quickly remind yourself this day should be celebrated to his preference, not necessarily yours.

For Mother’s Day, I often want some alone time sometime during the weekend. This could be something the dad in your life wants as well. He might feel appreciated by just being left alone for a bit!

If he says he wants to go golfing with friends or do something solo; that doesn’t mean that he also needs to come up with a plan afterwards. Maybe it means you grab take-out from his favorite restaurant so you and the kids can celebrate with him over dinner and hand made cards. Keeping it simple might be exactly what he truly wants to do.

If you are looking for some gift ideas, we have you covered.

I decided to ask some dads and kids in my life what they want or what they think dad wants. Most actually do want to spend some time, ideally outside, with their kids! I think the perfect answer was that he wants “good children” which we know can be hard sometimes