Lisa Dunning, Marriage & Family Therapist
Parent / Child Relationship Specialist

Father's Day:  Why Do We Make Dad Work?
by Lisa Dunning, MA, MFT

It seems strange to me that on Mother’s Day, many families take moms out to eat, but on Father’s Day many dads slave over a hot grill, barbecuing for their family. Dads are expected to work hard all year long and don’t even get a much deserved day off on Father’s Day.

Why do we pamper mom on Mother’s Day and make dad work on Father’s Day?

If you have a husband who just loves barbeques and lives for that day every Father’s Day then obviously keep doing it. But I am sure many fathers would prefer doing something they enjoy on Father’s Day rather than slaving over a hot barbeque because that is what he is “supposed to do on Father’s Day”.

Make this Father’s Day special for the father of your children

Show him how much you appreciate him by allowing him to do things that he would like to do. Give him a day off and let him kick back and pamper himself as he did for you on Mother’s Day.

Showing your husband how much you appreciate all the hard work he does throughout the year will help boost his energy and self worth, making the daily grind a little less grinding. Men can give the appearance that they don’t need pampering on the outside but they still need their esteem boosted every now and then.

Father's Day is a great day to boost your husband's self worth

If you have always celebrated Father’s Day the traditional way, here are some suggestions to make Father’s Day extra special for him this year:

It is important that your husband knows that his role is more important than just the paycheck his efforts represent.  Always remember that money and jobs come and go but a father is forever.

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