The ideal parenting goal that all parents seek always seems to be on the move, doesn’t it? It’s very hard to hit the bouncing target when you just won’t sit still while the role of the ideal parent keeps changing. The funny thing, though, is that we often don’t even notice that the parent’s role changes until it has already changed. Often, we feel that it changes in some way and we go with the flow, huh? We just do our best in these ever-changing times, and then one day someone points out how parenting has changed, and we’re like, “Yeah, that’s what I’ve been seeing too!” So here’s the bottom line, fatherhood today is not fatherhood from our fathers.
Today, parents are doing things that their parents never did. Today’s parents work like their parents. But now, in addition, they also do the laundry, the dishes, the cleaning, put the children to bed and cook the next day’s meal, like all mothers. Parents even do these things sometimes instead of watching the ball game. Imagine that! Could fathers of old even imagine this new paternal role? Surely parenting has changed. Men have changed. Parenting has changed. And once again, the world has been slow to recognize it.
Now, all of you men, I know you thought that one day you would be superheroes saving the world. But instead, they are now changing diapers and saving their pennies so they can continue to be the great dads and husbands that they are. Well, I say keep doing what you’re doing. You are unsung heroes. And know this, you too are deeply appreciated, even if you rarely hear that out loud.
Now, as my grandfather always said: “Go learn, lead and pave the way to a better world for all of us.” Dads continue to change with the times and continue to be the good men they are. The world is a better place because of your efforts. And once again parents, you also Super Dads, thank you in advance for everything you do, and everything you will do…
