by Dr. Ken Canfield

Dad: It’s Father’s Day!

How will you celebrate? There are probably as many options as there are unique dads. But we all share a few things in common, and there are positive things for all of us to keep in mind.

This Father’s Day, I hope you feel honored by your kids.

But let’s be clear, it doesn’t really need to be all about you. So take a few minutes to reach out and appreciate your dad or another father figure in your life. It blesses him, and it’s good for you.

I also hope you’ll make it more than a day to open gifts and sit in your easy chair. Celebrate the relationships you have with your children. Tell them how proud you are of them, how important they are to you, and what being a dad means to you.

Father’s Day can also be a time to recommit yourself to being a great dad. Make a simple but life-changing pledge to do your best for your children every day.

That’s much easier said than done. But you know that being a good dad is one of the most important threads that runs through many different challenging issues in our country. And if we can get fatherhood right collectively—being involved, consistent, aware and nurturing dads—together we can help solve a lot of social evils.

I know many dads are struggling to overcome a painful past. And a lot of other guys are hampered by distance from their kids, difficulties with the kids’ mother, and many other very real challenges.

So even if fatherhood includes some big struggles for you, remember that none of us are perfect fathers and we all fail in some ways. Still, I hope you will hold in mind the privilege that it is to be Daddy to your children. In some cases, doing your best for them might take all the courage and strength you have. But if you don’t do it, who will?

Dad, you CAN do it. And they are worth it.

Enjoy today. And keep up the good work!

So … What is your Father’s Day usually like? How do you try to make it positive for others? Share your ideas and check in with other dads on our Facebook page.