Top 10 Reasons The Father of My Children is Awesome

They say that a good dad is rarer than than an ultra-rare shopkin on the school playground, and more precious than your first magical sip of morning coffee.

I think that’s in the Bible. (I’ve paraphrased.)

But despite the many what-not-to-do examples in the world of daddy-hood, there are a number of guys who are doing it right. I know, because I live with one.

I believe that great dads are underrepresented in the public eye these days. The bumbling and incompetent dad caricature is so last millennium, but great dads continue to get the shaft when it comes to unbridled, paraded admiration and appreciation for the seriously committed work they do as Daddy to our lovely offpsring.

Our culture has greatly progressed in appreciating my role as mother. Moms are up on a pedestal, and rightfully so, I think – it’s a pretty freaking important job. We get viral youtube videos made about us, and grubby dandelion bouquets that melt our hearts, and a heaps of public respect. All the cool kids these days give shoutouts to their mamas.

But let’s be real: I wouldn’t be the mother I am without their father beside me. The world needs great dads who’re brave enough to do the inestimable work of fatherhood. It’s a messy business, yes, but the great ones can handle it.

So, I put together a little list of the top 10 reasons my kids’ dad is totally awesome, and why he deserves my undying love and admiration – for Father’s Day, and every day of the year.

Top 10 Reasons The Father of my Children is Awesome

1. Poopy diapers

A lot of ‘em. I admit to playing the “I BIRTHED him! YOU get the poopy diaper!” card one or a few dozen times. A fair division of labour, I thought. But those poopy diapers are no joke, especially the time that one of our children was a newborn, and projectile pooped all over my honey’s leg during a diaper change. Also, when they start eating solids. You know exactly what I mean, if you’ve been there.

2. The late shift

Late night feedings were my thing – he just didn’t have the goods. But late-night shushing and rocking and swaying and nodding off in the rocking chair with snore-producing, neck-ache-causing head tilt? That was his domain, and he rocked it with a sleep-deprived, wild determination for survival. And survive he did.

3. Sandcastles

It greatly displeases Mr. R&H to sit on the ground or floor. It makes him grumpy. (Weirdo, I know, but we roll with it.) But when our bright-eyed buck of a second-grader beckons him over to plop down in the sand and build the Awesomest Sandcastle Ever, he mans up and does it like a champ. And, he even smiles for my camera’s click-click. He’s a smooth operator, that one.

4. Verbal capabilities in the morning

My brain is stuffed with cotton balls in the first half hour after waking. My words fail to reach my mouth in a coherent fashion. So when the kids are fighting at 6:30am, he summons up his magical Morning Man strength and speaks a stern and coherent sentence. It’s called parenting. And he does it successfully at 6:30am, ergo – he’s my hero.

5. Spontaneity

He and I may be uber-different (polar opposite personality types, in fact), but we share a definite love for the rush of spontaneity. While we’re yet unsure of which particular brand of messed up they’ll grow up to be (it’s not if you mess up your kids, it’s how, as the enlightened parents all realize) we know one thing for sure: they’ll always be up for a good adventure thanks to their dad and mom’s willingness to answer when spontaneity calls.

6. Stinky jobs

We may not have diaper-changing duties to pass off to one another anymore, but he does all of the stinky jobs around the house – emptying the garbage, the city compost, the cat litter, and the recycling. Taking the toilet apart to find the blockage in the pipes, and facing the “other things” in the pipes while he’s at it. He is the Stinky Jobs Expert. Now and forevermore. Or so help me.

7. The balancing act

He works full-time in a job he loves dearly. He comes home to a family he loves unconditionally. He successfully walks the delicate line of giving them both their proper attention and dedication, and he does it like an absolute Boss Man with a minivan swagger.

8. Great Italian genes

My kids turned out to be beautifully olive-skinned Italian-featured kids birthed from a pale, redheaded, freckled woman with an Irish-English-etc- ancestry mashup. Lucky ducks. They’ll thank you for the great genes one day, Daddy-o (and Nonno!)

9. Lunchbox packing and coffee-making

His serious morning skillz don’t end with the ability to express himself coherently before coffee (though I think we can all agree that’s a pretty special kind of magic). He forges ahead with dishwasher-emptying, lunchbox packing, and coffee-making. All while I put on pants and stumble around trying to find them clean underwear and socks. He’s a machine, I tell you. That or a “morning person”, I guess. I remain in awe, either way.

10. Affection

He lavishes it freely and openly on the kids, and on me, their mother. He’s a manly man with a lotta big feelings, and he’s not afraid to show it. It’s pretty sexy, actually, and he doesn’t even know it.

I’d venture to say that he doesn’t usually think about being a great dad.

It just comes naturally. He’s selfless and loving and hard-working, and for that – I think he deserves a pedestal of his own.

Here’s to appreciating all of the great dads out there – may they be lauded and admired for their irreplaceable role for our families, and for the world at large!

As I’ve wracked my brain for how best to tangibly show my appreciation this year for Father’s Day, I learned that Denis from Melt is offering a sweet deal right now, especially for great dads who deserve a major thank-you for their coffee-making, diaper-changing, kid-wrangling, big-love-giving skills.

You can get access to the Melt library of professional massage instructional videos to give him the massage of a lifetime (professional massage moves in your own home, with a bonding experience for good measure) with their new payment plan option of $22/month for 6 months (for lifetime access!), with a free bonus foot rub video thrown in.

The first time we tried a Melt video a few years ago, I went into the whole thing kind of nervous. And I had to twist hubby’s arm to get him to do it – he thought it would be SO lame. But once we went through the first shoulder and back rub video – he was SO hooked.

The man loves him a good back rub, that is for certain. (I think his ideal indulgence would include a beer, a steak, and a professional massage – for real.)

The Melt videos really take it to a whole new level of luxury and enjoyment – for both of us. Our arms don’t get tired and the movements feel professional. It’s really a pretty blissful experience – exactly spot on for what he deserves as a tangible thanks for being an amazing dad.

As such, I’ve decided that this is an excellent addition to my self-care bag of tricks. For both hubby and me. For details of the special Father’s Day sale, see below.

Another tie or power tool or macaroni necklace is great and all, but this year I’m focusing on creating more space for pausing, breathing, and connecting with my man to express my deepest and undying gratitude for being who he is in our family.

Truly great dads are a pretty awesome addition to any household. If you can bag yourself one, I highly recommend it. We got a good one, and we couldn’t be more grateful.

Father’s Day Special:

Melt is bundling up its foot massage videos for FREE with the Melt video series. The total value is $171 for the incredible price of just $99. The foot rub is your little bonus that he can give you after Father’s Day is long gone.