Not Sure Father's Day Is Enough!

Last weekend families all over took time out of their busy schedules to celebrate Father's Day. Facebook and Instagram posts were full of sweet pictures with captions expressing gratitude and love for dads and husbands a like.  Gifts were bought and given. Meals were shared and memories were made.

Our family was no different. I too posted something on social media in honor of my husband, who is an amazing father to our boys. We enjoyed church, a baseball game and dinner as a family. We also spent some rare time with my extended family. It was a good day.

I love that we devote a special day to show the father's in our lives just how much we love and appreciate them, but to be honest I am not sure that is enough.

Sadly I have noticed, that fathers and men in general are not always represented in the best way. Advertising and entertainment industries often portray them as incompetent, shallow and disconnected. Showing them to be more committed to their jobs, hobbies, beer fridges or fraternity brothers then to their families, churches or charity associations. The media tends to report only the negative stories of pro and collegiate athletes in trouble. When the focus could just as easily be placed on all of the others who are making positive impacts.

I am not sure about you, but I do not see those men anywhere in or around my family. The men I know are kind, devoted, smart, caring, hardworking, family loving guys. They try hard. They do their best. Do they make mistakes? Of course they do, but doesn't everybody?

As a daughter, a wife and a mother of boys, this makes me extremely sad and a bit angry as well. This perception sends the wrong message to men and boys. These degrading and an unfair generalization fit a very small population of men. I know similar things happen on the female side as well, but their is a difference. Not only are men and boys shown what our society as a whole thinks they are, but then they are expected to be something completely different. For example: Dad is seen as incapable of getting the kids fed and out the door for baseball practice, but then Mom is upset that she has to do it all herself. Sound familiar?

Unfortunately there is very little we can do to change the general attitude towards men in our culture. But we can create an environment within our homes that celebrates the men in our lives for who God made them to be. A place filled with mutual respect, understanding and good communication. A place where they will feel competent, supported, smart, capable, and well cared for.

My fellow moms, this is primarily up to us.
We set the tone.
We have great influence.
Let's use it!