Orleans Weekly Journal
Published: Friday, June 13, 2008 An ode to all us dads Warning to Weekly Journal and EastOttawa.ca readers, this week’s column is written by a father, about fathers and mostly for fathers. Welcome to Father’s Day. Surely we can all agree that fatherhood is one of those seminal things that defines us men as contributing members of the human race. And if you’re like me, each day raising your son (or daughter or both or more) brings you a little closer to your own folks – whether living or passed on – as the lessons and values you impart to them are those that were most likely taught to you two, three or four decades ago. The contribution of Orléans fathers can be seen on any weeknight or weekend year round throughout our community. From coaching on the soccer pitch down at Roy Hobbs park to teaching Junior to ride a bike in the school yard to flying a kite with the kids on a lazy, hazy afternoon at Millennium Park to sipping coffee at some early morning hour as the kids go through their hockey drills at Ray Friel to sledding in the Gardenway pit or at any other number of local hills during the winter … hey dads, you rock. Of course these examples of love and commitment were passed on to us from our fathers and some would assert it is nothing out of the ordinary. Fair enough, but being a 21st -century father also requires a few new skill sets that weren’t necessarily common when we were growing up in the 1950s, ‘60s or ‘70s. Most men from 25 to 50 or so have changed more diapers than their fathers likely ever did. Ditto for swaddling your baby like a fajita, preparing formula and feeding your toddlers along the way and now, sharing the load with mom (or your partner, etc.) when it comes to sick days home from school and getting the youngsters to and from medical appointments and the like. As well, with our kids growing up so much faster with many more choices and influences around them (positive and negative), this dad struggles to always remain conscious of finding the balance of knowing when to discipline, when to be a friend, when to listen and when to step in and protect. Conversations with the other dads around me tell me that I am not alone with this dilemma. Being a dad is life’s greatest gift and equally an ongoing challenge and, at the risk of speaking for all dads, I don’t think we would want it any other way. So for the dads that went before us, thanks for paving the way, and to our kids who look up to us, keep us accountable, honest and most importantly, please keep us young at heart and remind us to always have fun! = = = = = Comments can be sent to Walter Robinson at orleansouttakes@transcontinental.ca. |