Happy Father’s Day!

This post is belated in the day, but I have had interesting experiences today on Twitter and amongst my friends. I saw, as I expected to see, several Happy Father’s Day tweets “to the Twitter dads”, and then… “What about the ‘non-dads’?”

As a stepmother, it shouldn’t surprise you that I think that Father’s Day should not be limited merely to those who have biologically fathered a child. I think most of us know that it takes a whole lot more than the uh…genetic contribution to make a father. While stepmothers seem to have their own day (the Sunday following the official Mother’s Day), I’m not sure that stepfathers do.

But, I don’t think we need another day. I think today is the day to honor the men who make a difference in the lives of children. The dad who snuggles his baby and rocks her to sleep. The stepfather who is out in the front yard tossing a softball with his stepson. The favorite uncle who is hanging with his nephews and nieces and loving every minute of it. The guy helping his fiance’s son with memorizing multiplication tables.

This is not to say that anyone can be a dad. Quite the contrary – NOT everyone can be a dad, but there are some men out there doing some amazing things in the name of making a child’s life better who also deserve recognition today. Happy father’s day, guys!

Photo credit: EdenPictures on Flickr