Q. Why do seagulls fly over the sea?
A. Because if they flew over the bay, they’d be called bagels.
Q. Why can’t motorcycles do push-ups?
A. Because they’re always two-tired.
Q. What do you call an illegally parked frog?
A. Toad!
(just one more…)
Q. What do you call an iPhone with no sense of humor?
A. Too-Sirious!
Voices groan and eyes roll when someone tells a “dad joke,” but they’re actually pretty clever. Why do we call them dad jokes anyway? You don’t have to be a father to tell them, but their corny punch lines have long been associated with a dad’s sometimes quirky sense of humor.
For better or worse, society tends to make light of fatherhood. We call out the Dad Bod when we see a man who’s less toned than he might have been in his youth. Dads on TV shows have traditionally been portrayed as the clueless (or at least much less informed) members of the family. It’s assumed that dads are better at fixing things or grilling, and they all want neckties and tools for gifts.
While some dads do of course provide much-needed levity and humor to our daily lives, and certainly the various stereotypes are true for some men, fatherhood is not to be taken lightly. Like all parents and caregivers, fathers have a great responsibility to their kids. They play integral roles in their children’s development. So to all the fathers and father-figures out there, even if we make jokes from time to time, know that we respect and greatly value all that you do. Your impact on the world is meaningful and important.
Whether you aren’t home as much as you’d like because you’re working endless hours to put money in the bank or you’re exhausted because you’re the one staying home with your kids, we appreciate your commitment to your family.
To those reading to your kids and helping with homework, thank you for fostering an attitude and environment for learning.
To all of you attending the performances or chaperoning middle school dances even if it puts you way outside your comfort zone, we value your support.
To those staying up late to make sure your teenager gets home safely from a night out with friends, or talking to your kids about the important stuff when it’s the last thing they want to hear, we see you pushing through your discomfort to help form these young people into kind, caring and independent adults.
To all the coaches encouraging kids on a court or field, we appreciate your patience and the way you are teaching our kids so much more than just the rules of the game.
To all the teachers, mentors and fellow parents guiding our children in the classroom, or at your kitchen counter or carpool and beyond, we see the countless hours you give up to help make our kids better people. We cannot thank you enough.
To those who miss your father or any man who was a positive influence but is no longer with you, we recognize your grief and hope you know that they live on in how you show yourself to the world and live out your own life. Your words and actions matter.
All jokes aside, to all the fathers and father-figures who enrich our lives beyond measure, Happy Father’s Day! We appreciate you!
