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ADVICE

Making Father’s Day a day to remember

Care for the Family's latest magazine has some great ideas ...

Mother's Day is easy isn't it? Cold toast and even colder tea in bed, a day off from cooking and washing up. A homemade card and a bunch of flowers and Mum is delighted.

But what do you do on Father’s Day? (15 June). Whether you're a mum helping the kids think of something, or you want to say 'thank you' to Grandpa, as well as make it a special day for Dad, just getting together and sharing the day can be all that's needed. Expensive and elaborate plans aren't always the key to a memorable day together. Keep it simple, say all those things you've always wanted to say in appreciation and love, and just enjoy being together.

Here are just a few ideas to get you thinking:

Get together with a big group of other dads and kids for a day out at a playground, theme park or sports event, and return home for a special supper cooked by all the mums together!
Spend the day with three (or more!) generations together - Grandpa, Dad and grandchildren - perhaps revisiting some of the places where each of you grew up and reminiscing.
Arrange a Dads v Lads football match with fathers and sons from your local church or school. If it goes down well, suggest making it an annual event.
Banish Dad from the house for the afternoon to do what he wants with his 'time off'. While he's out decorate the house with banners and slogans about him (appreciative ones!)
Cook a special meal including all his favourite foods to welcome him home.
If Dad is away, or the children don't live with him, encourage them to write a special letter, if appropriate, telling him what makes him a special dad.
If you know a dad who is raising his kids alone, get together with another family and arrange to give him, and his children, a treat. Be sure to let him in on your plans, just in case he's already got the day organised.
Arrange a special service and celebration tea in your church for Father’s Day - but remember to be sensitive to those for whom this day could be a painful one.
Write new lyrics to a well-known tune to 'celebrate and serenade' your dad. 'Match of the Day', 'My Old Man's a Dustman' and 'When the Saints Go Marching In' all give scope for creativity! Get together for a scratch rehearsal - and then do a Royal Dad Command Performance. Include other 'party pieces' too for a real Father’s Day show.
Take out an advert in your local paper to let Dad - and the locality - know just how much he means to you.
Make up, design and play a board game entitled 'It's a Dad's Life'. Use a game you enjoy as a model and include forfeits and challenges along the way, for example, 'Dad teaches Sam to ride his bike - wobble back three places'.

'Kids go free' this Father’s Day

Fathers Direct is pioneering a special project for Father’s Day this year. They are working with the Department for Education and Skills to promote Father’s Day as a day for dads to actively get involved with their children.

Tom Beardshaw, Campaign Director for Fathers Direct, said: "We have invited the leisure industry to offer special 'kids go free' deals for dads who bring along their children. A website especially designed for Father’s Day http://www.fathersdirect.com/fathersday - will enable families to search for special offers in their area, to make the most of their day together."

Fathers Direct will also be running a competition on the website for children to write 'A Message for Dad'. Children of all ages are invited to write notes, letters, poems, text messages and emails to their dads or other male carers. There will be great prizes on offer and, when the children enter, they will be able to put their dad's email address in and Fathers Direct will forward the message to him!

Log on to http://www.fathersdirect.com to find out more about this timely organisation, and encourage your children to take part in the competition to give Dad an extra special day! For further details, you can also call Fathers Direct on (020) 7920 9491.

Don't forget!

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		ADVICE Making Father’s Day a day to remember Care for the Family's latest magazine has some great ideas ... Mother's Day is easy isn't it? Cold toast and even colder tea in bed, a day off from cooking and washing up. A homemade card and a bunch of flowers and Mum is delighted. But what do you do on Father’s Day? (15 June). Whether you're a mum helping the kids think of something, or you want to say 'thank you' to Grandpa, as well as make it a special day for Dad, just getting together and sharing the day can be all that's needed. Expensive and elaborate plans aren't always the key to a memorable day together. Keep it simple, say all those things you've always wanted to say in appreciation and love, and just enjoy being together. Here are just a few ideas to get you thinking: Get together with a big group of other dads and kids for a day out at a playground, theme park or sports event, and return home for a special supper cooked by all the mums together! Spend the day with three (or more!) generations together - Grandpa, Dad and grandchildren - perhaps revisiting some of the places where each of you grew up and reminiscing. Arrange a Dads v Lads football match with fathers and sons from your local church or school. If it goes down well, suggest making it an annual event. Banish Dad from the house for the afternoon to do what he wants with his 'time off'. While he's out decorate the house with banners and slogans about him (appreciative ones!) Cook a special meal including all his favourite foods to welcome him home. If Dad is away, or the children don't live with him, encourage them to write a special letter, if appropriate, telling him what makes him a special dad. If you know a dad who is raising his kids alone, get together with another family and arrange to give him, and his children, a treat. Be sure to let him in on your plans, just in case he's already got the day organised. Arrange a special service and celebration tea in your church for Father’s Day - but remember to be sensitive to those for whom this day could be a painful one. Write new lyrics to a well-known tune to 'celebrate and serenade' your dad. 'Match of the Day', 'My Old Man's a Dustman' and 'When the Saints Go Marching In' all give scope for creativity! Get together for a scratch rehearsal - and then do a Royal Dad Command Performance. Include other 'party pieces' too for a real Father’s Day show. Take out an advert in your local paper to let Dad - and the locality - know just how much he means to you. Make up, design and play a board game entitled 'It's a Dad's Life'. Use a game you enjoy as a model and include forfeits and challenges along the way, for example, 'Dad teaches Sam to ride his bike - wobble back three places'. 'Kids go free' this Father’s Day Fathers Direct is pioneering a special project for Father’s Day this year. They are working with the Department for Education and Skills to promote Father’s Day as a day for dads to actively get involved with their children. Tom Beardshaw, Campaign Director for Fathers Direct, said: "We have invited the leisure industry to offer special 'kids go free' deals for dads who bring along their children. A website especially designed for Father’s Day http://www.fathersdirect.com/fathersday - will enable families to search for special offers in their area, to make the most of their day together." Fathers Direct will also be running a competition on the website for children to write 'A Message for Dad'. Children of all ages are invited to write notes, letters, poems, text messages and emails to their dads or other male carers. There will be great prizes on offer and, when the children enter, they will be able to put their dad's email address in and Fathers Direct will forward the message to him! Log on to http://www.fathersdirect.com to find out more about this timely organisation, and encourage your children to take part in the competition to give Dad an extra special day! For further details, you can also call Fathers Direct on (020) 7920 9491. Don't forget! © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.