Father’s Day: A Salute to Dads Who Show Up and Step Up

Let me pause with you for a moment on this Father’s Day. Not just to toss out a quick “thanks, Dad!” and get back to the cookout. But to truly honor what it means to be a father-to step into a role that, while often thankless in the moment, may be the single most influential position in a child’s life.

Let’s be clear: not every dad starts out strong; not every dad gets it right at the start. But the mark of a good father isn’t perfection. It’s in the choice to show up, to lead when it’s hard, to keep trying to do better, to model steadiness when chaos swirls, and to love, even when it’s not being reciprocated.

Gratitude for the Quiet Strength of Fathers

Many of us had dads who didn’t say much. They may not have attended every game or offered emotional pep talks over heartbreak, but they were there. They worked long hours, fixed what was broken, and handled what needed handling. Their love wasn’t always spoken, but it was steady.

So, for the dads who quietly showed up, kept promises, put food on the table, and maintained discipline – we see you, Dad! We honor you. We appreciate you.

You made your presence known not through grand gestures but by providing structure, strength, and a compass for how to walk through the world. So, if you had a dad like that, let him know.

And if your dad did show up at every game and offered those pep talks and somehow seemed to be there every time you needed him, that is truly amazing. How fortunate! And, then, of course, we celebrate him as well!

And for those dads who may have passed, take a moment to sit with those memories and offer a bit of gratitude. For most of us, that steady presence, flawed as it may have been, mattered more than we often realized at the moment.

And Now, To the Dads Raising Kids Today…

Let’s pivot to you, Dad. Yes, you—the one reading this between emails or before heading to that soccer practice. Fatherhood today can feel like a minefield of expectations: be emotionally available, provide financial stability, encourage your kids’ passions, monitor screen time, keep them off drugs, be fun, be calm, be present, be at every game, and oh-don’t forget to meditate, lift weights, and optimize your sleep.

It’s enough to make any man reach for the nearest recliner and call it a day.

But here’s the truth: You don’t need to be perfect. You need to be clear-clear on what is essential, clear on your role, and precise on how structure, consistency, and leadership will do far more for your kids than giving them what they want at the moment.

A Few Gentle Reminders for the Modern Dad

1. Stop Trying to Entertain Your Kids. Your job isn’t to be the cruise director of their lives. Endless activities and over-scheduling only feed a cycle of stimulation addiction. Boredom is not a disease. It’s the gateway to creativity and problem-solving.
2. Don’t Try to Be Their Best Friend. They have friends. What they need is a dad. A solid, loving, firm-but-kind presence who holds the line when it matters.
3. Give Less, Lead More. Showering kids with stuff, screens, and constant yeses won’t create confident, resilient human beings. Instead, say no when needed. Let them earn privileges. Teach them that the world doesn’t revolve around their immediate desires.
4. Starve the Weeds and Feed the Seeds. If your child is whining, complaining, or being disrespectful-don’t water that weed by giving attention to it. Instead, walk away from those “weedy” moments. Please give them your attention when they’re respectful, helpful, or making good choices. It works. Always does.
5. Unplug. Really. If you want to shape a child’s brain toward focus, calm, and self-control, limit the phone, the tablet, and the games. Set rules. Stick to them. Don’t negotiate endlessly. These screens aren’t neutral; they shape behavior, motivation, and even the wiring of your child’s brain.

Your Steady Presence Is Enough

You don’t have to solve every problem or heal every hurt. But as you know, you must show up, stay consistent, and hold your ground with love. Children flourish not because they get everything they want but because they grow up with a parent who calmly holds the line, says what they mean, and teaches through example, not lectures.

This Father’s Day, I salute you-not for being perfect, but for being willing. Willing to lead. Willing to change. Willing to grow.

So let’s raise a glass, grill a steak, and celebrate you, Dad. Because today, and every day, your presence is powerful. Your leadership matters. And your love-even when firm-is shaping a life.