Natalie Whatley

This Father’s Day, I’ve got to give today’s generation of fathers a big round of applause. (Picture me giving a standing ovation.)

                Over the past 40 years, fatherhood has changed a great deal. Some would say for the better, others for the worse.  The fact remains that while the lines of “tradition” have blurred, guys have done a fabulous job of evolving – far better than this female counterpart. I’m stubborn that way, and have not embraced cross-training in the male realm.

I was growing up while women were flocking to the workforce in droves. Some were forced there by economic circumstances, while others desired more than running a household to occupy their minds. (One has to learn some tricks to keep tedium fascinating, and I believe I’ve mastered it.) The family dynamic was forever changed, and a new creature was forged. 

As women began crashing through glass ceilings, men stepped up to the plate and hit the ball out of the park.  They had to figure it all out, or go around hungry and naked.  The transformation didn’t occur without some struggle, and a fair amount of strife, but they did it. Many of them had working mothers, and watched as their own father stumbled about trying to gain his footing.  He was the pioneer, and the two of you learned together. Today’s father is the result.   

I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for over a decade, and I’ve noticed the shift-working fathers out and about with the kids. They’re in the grocery store, pre-schoolers in tow, and for the most part have a couple of well-rounded meals in the cart.  They’re at the doctor’s office, diaper bag slung over their shoulder, baby in one arm, lop-sided-pig-tailed little girl (because Daddy fixed her hair), wearing mismatched clothes (because Daddy let her dress herself) hanging on to a pant pocket while they sign in….it’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.

I can tell you’ve done it all before, and you’re not nearly as rattled as I was when my kids were younger.  Dads just have a way of not getting hung up in all that doesn’t matter (clothes & hair), and having a good time…no matter the place.

On the flip side, I’ve clung to the traditional role even though I’ve spent various points during my life out in the working world.  I’m very trainable, but truth be told, I really don’t want to know how to replace the brake pads, unstop the toilet, or fix the roof “thingy” after a squirrel chewed it and caused a leak. (I know I’ve just told on myself, but I suspect the man in my life knows this.)

The men fathering children at this point in our history are a truly remarkable group.  I realize mankind has been forced to adapt throughout time, but I find the current crop pretty amazing. They diaper, fix the lawn mower, bathe squirming babies, replace flat tires on bicycles, feed messy toddlers, provide….heck, they do it all.  

I’ve decided it’s quite alright for them to leave the toilet seat up. They’ve more than earned it. Happy Father’s Day, guys!  You’re the best.

© 2008 Natalie Whatley

Tags: Father's Day