“My Dad wasn’t around much when I was growing up…”, my friend told me as we watched our kids play at the park.

Immediately I felt sad for him, assuming that he fell into the category of kids growing up with ‘absent fathers’.

But he continued, “He worked a lot, often away. But when he was home, he was SO home. So present. So involved. So invested. So I never felt lacking, never felt like I was missing out. Although I knew he was busy, I still felt like the most important thing in his life.”

My shoulders relaxed, I exhaled and a smile came to my face. That was not the way I thought this story would go.

I feel incredibly blessed to have the career I have – at home, with flexible hours, where literally part of my job is taking my kids on a Dadventure each week. Although the entrepreneurial life comes with many (many!) challenges, I am so grateful for the time it allows me with my family.

But I’m not naïve; I know many dads (perhaps most dads) have a very different story.

Many dads work don't work from home, sometimes commuting hours each way to work. Many dads get to see their kids on the weekend far more than they do throughout the week. Some dads work weekends, too.

So this week, I just really wanted to encourage those dads. The dads who work a lot, often away, just like my friend’s dad used to. I am cheering you on!

I know it might feel impossible to find the time (and energy!) to take your kids on a Dadventure each week. But we also know just how important – vital even – that time is to our kids as they grow up.

So I really want to encourage you…

Start small. Take your kids on simple, short Dadventures. Once a week. Things like:

• Going for an ice cream
• Go feed the ducks for half an hour
• Take them to a nearby park (and put away your phone) for an hour.

An hour a week, or even half an hour, isn’t going to break the bank. What it will do though, is start a habit where your kids know “Even when he was busy, I still felt like the most important thing in his life.”

I am cheering you on!

Here’s what one mum said about our Dadventure Diary, and it brought me to tears:

"A gentle reminder"

"I purchased my husband the Dadventure diary as a 'just because present' to remind him we notice him, we notice all the hours he works, the harder days, and I knew the Dadventure Dairy would impact him and our four children’s lives in so many positive ways.

From the moment he opened it, he was excited and so were our children. Their eyes all lit up with pure joy! Time together with Dad (dad works 6 days sometimes 7, they are long hours) so anytime together is so valuable.

They instantly each picked a card and continue to pick one out every Saturday to plan for their Sunday adventure.

Hubby said to me "it was an indirect but direct gift he needed" he is more mindful of making the time, being present and it is becoming a routine that they are all so excited for and fills my heart that this has made them so happy.

I know later on hubby may have regretted not spending more time with our children but now I know this will not be the case thanks to Dad Certified!

We all think we have time!”

• Childhood Throwback 🧒 (Create your favourite childhood foods (fairy bread, macaroni and cheese, red cordial, cheese and Vegemite or peanut butter and jam sandwiches...) and re-watch your favourite childhood TV shows.)

Cheering you on!

Jeremy Jones

Dad Certified

https://dadcertifed.store

P.S.

Our new product for mums (and the whole family) is in the final stages of development. Keep your eyes on our email and socials to learn more and know when it will launch!