Dads Matter!

Dads Matter! Maybelle Crabtree here. Dads are the most underappreciated people in the whole wide world. They quietly go about their business. They do what they need to do for their families. Five days a week, they battle the traffic, work with other people they may not particularly like, and come home at the end of each day to a house filled with chaos!

Dad is the provider of the family. Not just in a financial way, but also for direction, humor, wisdom, and, most of all, love. He does what he does not for recognition but for love. Most kids do not even know what dad does when he is not at home. Ask a kid that question and it is met with a shrug of the shoulders and a “I don’t know.” He disappears for a few hours and then returns.

Dads are Standard Banners

Moms are the glue of the family but dads are the standard bearers. In fact, an involved father in the home is linked to significant improvements in a child’s well-being. Research proves it. Children with engaged fathers are twice as likely to attend college and 80% less likely to spend time in jail. Children also display stronger academic performance and emotional stability when dad is involved in their lives.

You see, dads do matter. Maybe even more than moms. But having both a loving and involved mom and dad makes for the greatest success story for any kid. And what better gift can you give to the world than successful kids; however you may define success?

Now I realize that not all dads are wonderful human beings. A friend of mine was sexually abused by her dad. And another friend was verbally and physically abused by hers. I just cannot imagine what kind of monster could do that to anyone, let alone their own flesh and blood. And there are deadbeat dads out there who have abandoned, neglected, and/or refused to acknowledge their kids altogether. But I hope these “men” are the exception and not the rule.

Tom’s Involvement

My kids were very fortunate. Tom was an involved dad. He built Lego structures, flying objects, and vehicles with Matthew, attended tea parties with Laurel and her dolls, and cheered for Holly as she sang with her Karaoke machine. He worked hard at the office, provided the comfort living we probably took too much for granted, and attended every event, game, and performance all three of our kids appeared in. Tom was a great husband and partner. But he was an even better dad.

So let us stop degrading men by telling them they are toxic and do not matter. Because they do matter. They deserve dignity and respect. They are vital to children’s lives. Otherwise, society as we know it will only crash and burn. And that would not be good for anyone.

So what do you think? Do dads matter? Leave a comment down below and let’s discuss. Maybelle Crabtree signing out.