To the dads out there,

The ones who spent their father’s day taking their kids to a matinée instead of golfing, who choose to jump on the trampoline instead of supervise, who leave work early every Tuesday to go to their daughter’s soccer games, who coach teams and spend weekends at dance competitions and accept that their son enjoys art more than hockey.

To all the dads out there who genuinely enjoy playing dinosaurs, or if they don’t who do it anyway. To those who took a course to be able to put their daughter’s hair up or takes the time to paint her nails, who will sit down and paint or do crafts, who tell their kids that they will be the best damn doctor or scientist or engineer or race car driver or ballerina…

Thank you.

You are helping your children understand that what they say and do, matter. As a result, they will grow into confident adults who will show the world what they are made of. They will believe that they can achieve anything, and then go out and do it.

To the dads out there,

The ones who agree that a six month sentencing for sexual assault is far too lenient regardless of the level of alcohol use or promiscuity, who support their daughters in having the ability to wear what they want to school without being told that they need to cover up because they are too distracting, dads who teach their son’s the meaning of a consensual relationship built on mutual trust and respect.

To the dads who would never think of disrespecting or using a condescending tone to a women because of her gender, those who fear for their daughter’s safety when he hears of rape or domestic assault, the dads who pray for change and equality…

Thank you.

You are helping to raise a generation of feminists in a world of misogyny – You are raising children who will know that men and women, although different, are equals and are thus deserving of the same opportunities and respect.

To the dads out there,

To the father who shows their children that he loves their mother, that he wouldn’t dare lay a hand on her, that he values her opinion, does not try to keep her in the shadows but rather tries to lift her up. To those dads who tirelessly go to work only to come home and give the kids a bath, those dads who choose to use paternity leave and get up at night to change the baby’s diaper, who take the time to rock a fussy baby after two hours of clusterfeedings, who will take the kids out to play so their exhausted mom can have a break, to those who choose to be present when at home and who make difficult sacrifices…

Thank you.

You are ensuring that your kids know that you respect silagra usa their mother, that family and helping others is the most important thing in life, and that you will always be there for them.

To the dads out there,

Who did their best of make it work but the separation ultimately ended up being a blessing, to the dads who cry because they can’t tuck their children in every night. To the dads fighting in the courtroom for equal rights to care for their kids, to the dads barely able to survive because they are paying for a better life for their kids.

To those dads who make sure their kids know they will always be present regardless of where he ends up living, and who remind them that time spent together is much more important than material items. To those brave dads who make the choice to join a new family, and stick with it through thick and thin even when hearing the dreaded words “you’re not my real dad”…

Thank you.

Your continued presence during a familial separation will ensure you children do not blame themselves and hold on to the pain for the rest of their lives. You are telling your kids that they are worth fighting for and that you will continue to love them even when you and their mother do not love each other anymore.

To the dads out there,

Who tell their kids that he loves them each and every day, to those who do not hide their tears when they are sad or touched, the dads who are the first to give hugs and the last to yell.

To the dads who know that saying things like “boys don’t cry” or prejudicial comments only breeds hate, that violence is never the answer. To the fathers who protect their kids from bullying the best they can, who always finds the time to ask how their child’s day went somewhere between homework and soccer practice, those who sit down and listen without judgement…

Thank you.

Your own emotional maturity will translate to your children. They will feel secure within themselves, and will have the tools to deal with any conflicts that may arise during their life.

I know there are a lot of articles floating around about the difficulties mom’s face in our current society, about mom-shaming and guilt, about the need for a better support network while we traverse the rocky road of motherhood.

But what about all the dads out there who make a difference?

I know you often feel forgotten in the parenting world, but please know that you are seen and your role in our children’s lives are just as integral as the air that surrounds us.

To all the dads out there making a difference in their children’s lives – thank you. You make all of our jobs as mothers a whole lot easier and our children happier.