Fathers Day is celebrated worldwide on various days throughout the year although a large percentage, 56 countries have settled on the third Sunday in June.
Both the UK and the United States have chosen this date, which this year falls on June 20th.
Other countries that celebrate Fathers day on this date are China, Switzerland and Turkey. In some countries it is an official holiday whilst in others like the UK there is no official holiday
It is generally accepted that the first time there was any reference to Fathers day was in 1910 when Sonora Smart Dodd who lived in Spokane, Washington in response to celebrating Mothers day, felt that she wanted to celebrate her father’s life who was a civil war veteran who brought up his family alone when his wife died giving birth to their sixth child.
Over the years there was growing support for Fathers day but it was not until 1972 that President Richard Nixon made it an official holiday.
Traditions vary round the world but it is usually celebrated by the giving of cards and presents and because this year the football world cup is being played at the same time, a lot of fathers will be receiving new large screen TVs as presents!
Mums will probably be involved this year as well to ensure there is a good supply of beer and crisps on hand to keep dad supplied while watching the matches.
Other presents that are normally well received are cameras or camcorders, games consoles indeed most things electrical are well received. If cash is a problem then there are always CDs, DVDs and books.
When I was growing up in the 1960s it was also quite usual for the kids to offer to wash the car to save dad a job, but nowadays this doesn’t happen as much. Whether this is because it is now usual for most people to use automatic car washes or because kids have become lazier I am not sure!
The important thing is to show appreciation of your father. Whether you call him father, dad, pop or something else you can be sure that if you take the time and trouble to speak to him on the phone, or send him a card he will appreciate it and get a warm glow from your appreciation. (He will also hopefully be easier to con next time you need a favour from him!)
Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads, Fathers, Pops, and Papas of the world!
This is one man’s veiw of being a father for the first time:
At last, he’s arrived. For nine months we’ve been waiting and worrying. Planning and hoping. The time seemed to drag on forever. How much longer would we have to wait? Suddenly she went into labour and it was panic stations. Drop everything; get to the hospital, everything moving in a blur. More delays, delivery lasts eighteen hours, she must be exhausted, I know I am!
First things first, I need to check him out. Twenty fingers, twenty toes, everything seems to be there, in the right place and moving in the right way. That’s what we didn’t talk about. Probably we didn’t want to tempt fate by admitting our fears. Big sigh of relief. OK, she’s resting now so I can get on to the practical things. Phone both sets of parents first. Then the other close relatives and lastly the close friends we promised to ring straightaway.
Been home two weeks now, forgotten what sleep is, but he is worth it. They say he can’t smile at this age it is just wind. Rubbish! When I first saw him this morning I swear he smiled at me. I have done a lot of thinking since he arrived. Realised I can’t put myself first anymore. There is now someone who is totally dependent on me. They come first. Surprisingly I want to put them first. Maybe I am growing up at last!
Hey, you know I had something to do with this. I know he is gorgeous, I told you that but you might at least acknowledge me when you all come in the room. Just discovered I am jealous of a three-week-old baby. I seem to have become invisible in the last three weeks. Maybe I am not growing up at last.
A month old now and we are all getting settled into a routine. I have realised that she has all the same feelings I have but at least she seems to get some sympathy when visitors call. Still being ignored in the main but don’t care anymore, just happy to hold my son and cuddle him (and hold his mum and cuddle her – when time and tiredness permit). Suddenly realise I am happy. Just discover I haven’t thought about putting myself first for at least a week. Maybe I am growing up at last!
No this isn’t a tutorial on how to change diapers, (that article will follow!).
It is prompted by the return of Winnie the Pooh and friends to our bookshelves.
On the 5th of October “The Return to the Hundred Acre Wood” by author David Benedictus hits the stores.
I don’t know about anyone else but when I heard the news I was both very excited and also very reflective.
A couple of things dawned on me.
Even though I am nearly 30, really I am still a little boy at heart.
I couldn’t help but be taken back to being about 4 and having my mother reading the Winnie the Pooh stories to me, or sitting in front of the fireplace with a beaker of warm milk, whilst watching the Acre Wood stories on the television.
I realise I was lucky to have a loving childhood,and Pooh for me is reflective of that.
What also hit me was that I am now a father, and everything was coming full circle!
I am getting the chance to share the new Winnie the Pooh stories with my little boy.
We are living in a very stressful, violent and uptight world, and for me the Pooh stories are full of friendship, loyalty, laughter and trust.
What a delightful diversion, for us adults to once again immerse ourselves in that wonderful world, and to share that with our children.
The new writer Benedictus takes the helm after the estate of original author of the childrens favourite A.A.Milne agreed to authorise the first ever sequal to the stories.
Benedictus said all the original characters from the books would be involved in the new stories, and there is also the addition of one or two new characters, namely Lottie the Otter.
I know that “The Return to the Hundred Acre Wood” will definatley be making a rapid appearance to our bookcase at home, the question is who is more excited to read it, me, or my little boy!
This wonderful book is available right now. Just click below and buy before the rush begins!
Recent studies have shown that not only do children like to sit down at the dinner table and eat a meal with their parents, but they are more likely to eat a well-balanced, nutritious meal when they do.
But with the hectic lives we seem to lead these days, getting the family all together in the same place at the same time can be a difficult chore.
Between work schedules, after-school activities, errands, and the like, it seems we have less and less time. But with a few simple ideas and some planning, meal time can be an enjoyable and treasured family time.
Designate no less than one night per week to have a sit-down meal with your family. Sunday nights are usually a good choice for this because you have more time to relax and the weekend chores have been completed.
Involve your children in the meal planning and preparation. This gives them a strong sense of self and the foundation for a lifetime of healthy meal planning and preparation.
Make sure the television is off, and make it a rule that all phone calls go to voice mail or the answering machine during the meal. Take this time to visit with one another and enjoy one another’s company.
This is a great time to reconnect and find out what events happened this week.
Take your time eating, and teach your children how to do the same in the process. Eating slowly is a healthy habit. Don’t jump up and start clearing dishes and putting things away until everyone is done eating and talking.
On those days that you can’t sit down as a family, try to make a habit of sitting down and chatting with them while they are eating, instead of rushing around catching up on the chores. This shows them you’re interested and that you care and want to be and involved and important part of their every day life.
Make time for eachother!!!
Marriage is an intimate relationship of two people which keeps them connected together.
Starting and breaking up the marital relationship is quite easy, but it is difficult to keep the relationships alive and keep the marriage intact.
When you feel that your marriage is in danger, you should take the efforts to save your marriage.
However, it is not a one-way traffic; both the partners should equally strive to maintain the healthy relationships.
As separation or divorce can affect personal, economical and social stability, both the partners equally need to improve themselves and save the marriage.
Today, you will find numerous men trying to save their marriage.
Fortunately there are many tools and places of support that you can go to get help with your marriage.
The first thing you should do is to try and identify where your problems are.
What is causing the problems and why?
Is it you feeling like your needs are not being met, or is your wife who feels her needs are not being met and you cannot understand why?
In order to begin helping your relationship you must try and communicate with your partner.
Most marital problems can be sorted out by simple communication.
Sometimes however this is where the problems are, and if your marriage has come to the point where the two of you are not able to talk then maybe it is time to get some external help.
Here are some very quick tips for men trying to save a marriage:
1. Talk, talk and talk some more!!! Do not close down and refcuse communication.
2. Do not be afraid to show your feelings. If you are hurt or upset, show it! Men can be emotional and still be “men”.
3. Write down any feelings, worries or gripes down. That way when you talk your thoughts are organised and you won’t start rambling and get frustrated.
4. Try to be as calm as possible. Nothing will ever get sorted out while you are screaming at eachother.
5. Do not be afraid to get help. If you are having real problems do not feel weak because you look for help or guidance.
6. Do not give up! Most relationships can be saved if you take the time and effort together.
7. Remember to appriciate how lucky your are to have someone in your life that wants to be married to you, and take the time to think about the good times you share together as much as you can.
This can help balance any negative feelings you are having and can help break a negative thought pattern.
Remember if you need any help saving your marriage then make sure to read our marriage help page.
Congratulations!
Either you are about to become, or maybe already are a Dad!
Whichever it is, you are on one of the most amazing, and dramatic rollercoasters there is in life.
Being a dad can bring a lifetime of love and joy, but can also be very hard and demanding!
At world of Dad we hope we can provide you with tools, advice and tips on getting the most, from arguably the best job in the world!!!
Here’s to us fellow dads!!!
Being a father has always had its stresses and difficulties. It seems however in todays struggling economic climate, our job has become even harder. With many people losing their jobs, and those in work wondering whether they will be culled in the near future, the “job for life” is almost a thing of the past. Some companies have even been offering workers a pay cut instead of redundancy. The pressure on fathers in the workplace has become immense.
With so many small businesses being wiped out in their infancy, the prospect of leaving the workplace and working for oneself, is an equally frightening prospect.
Many people are resorting to doing more than one job. This can only affect family life in a negative way. More time spent at work means less time with our partners, less time with our children, and of course little or no time to relax and recharge.
What is the answer?
Surely there must be a way of supplementing our income, without working 24/7, without risking money we already don’t have, and without putting our “shaky” full time job in jeopardy.
At world of Dad we will look at GENUINE opportunities in the world of business, and hopefully deal with one of the biggest worries us Dads face. Financially supporting our family.
Sadly, it appears not a week goes by now, where we do not see some sort of horror story in the news, about children who are at the centre of some terrible murder, torture or abuse case.
Last week, two of the children involved were actually the perpetrators of the abuse on other children.
In Doncaster England, two young boys aged 12 and 10, viciously attacked another two boys, in a brutal and twisted assault that involved burning the victims with cigarettes, beating them with rocks and sticks, dropping a sink on one of them, making them perform sexual acts on each other, and instructing one of their victims to “Go away and kill yourself”.
These are acts that you could barely believe to come from the mind of the most evil and twisted adult, let alone be thought of and actually carried out by two boys that had not yet reached their teens!
Sadly a familiar back-story lay behind the two attackers.
They were brothers from a “broken home”.
Allegedly brought up by a drug addicted mother, and alcoholic father. It has been suggested the pair were fed food laced with cannabis so that the “parents” were able to get them to sleep quickly, and have some peace and quiet.
Another story of a neglected and violent upbringing, leads to the children who suffered that abuse becoming violent and abusive themselves.
Again in the UK there was the terrible case of Baby P, who was tortured and killed by his stepfather, whilst the child’s mother just watched and let it happen.
These people were also from violent upbringings.
There is a clear pattern. People from abusive backgrounds stand a very high chance of becoming violent adults.
So even the children who survive these awful upbringings can be left with scars that never heal, and the circle of abuse begins again.
Had poor baby P survived and lived on through the abuse, is there not a slight possibility he may have become a troubled and potentially violent young man?
What I am saying is the problem has to be sorted at the route. The Parents.
A popular children’s campaigner suggested this week that more children should be taken from these homes and put up for adoption much earlier in their lives.
He talks a lot of sense.
The social workers and carers who try and work with these “broken” families are clearly not able to change the situation in a high number of cases.
These children must be removed before the damage is done.
The RSPCA will not rehome a kitten, without firstly screening the home, and family of the new owner. Yet seemingly anyone, no matter what age, can have a human child, with little done to check the suitability of the family to bring it up.
Clearly something needs to be done to stop the abuse, get these children out of violent homes, and to do it before the cycle of abuse takes hold.
Surely the cost is worth it, to stop the deaths of innocent children, and to stop the creation of distorted, violent adults, who somehow managed to survive the horrors of their upbringing.