While there is only one person I call “Dad” I still have three fathers: my biological dad, step-dad and father-in-law. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that three Dads put me pretty darn low on the “Number of Dads in Your Life” totem pole. A person could really have seven dads at some point in their life:
- 1 Biological dad
- 2 Grandpas (one on each side)
- 1 Godfather
- 1 Father-in-law
- 2 Grandpa-in-laws (one on each side)
Seven Total Dads
This doesn’t include any step-dads, step-grandfathers or husbands that may now be fathers (maybe not YOUR father, nonetheless someone you need to acknowledge on Father’s Day).
While seven Dads may seem a little preposterous for even the most fragmented of families, the bottom line is you likely have more than one dad you need to acknowledge on Father’s Day. So the question is, how can you acknowledge them all?
Quality Time with Every Dad
If you can’t get everyone together at one Father’s Day barbecue, you just have to choose how and where to spend your day effectively. Regardless, you need to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner so you may as well dedicate one meal to each dad. If you have more dads than meals in the day, dedicate the time in between to a dad or two. For example, take Grandpa for a walk in the morning and go to the driving range with your step-dad in the afternoon. If Dad lives far away, make sure you call him in the morning (in his time zone). After all that he has sacrificed for you, you don’t want him spending the whole day waiting for your call and wondering if it’s ever going to come.
Gifts for Every Dad
Don’t be discouraged when you do the math and realize how many gifts you need to buy on Father’s Day. Instead be grateful you have such meaningful relationships with all of the dads in your life. Father’s Day is about expressing your gratitude for their unconditional love so don’t obligated to break the bank when it comes to buying a Father’s Day Gift.
Make a Budget
Whenever you are in need of multiple Father’s Day Gifts, always start with a budget. Decide how much you want to spend in total and then allocate a certain percentage to each dad. The allocations should be based on your relationship, although make sure you avoid turning it into a competition. It’s okay to allocate more to your biological father than your grandfather; although, you should allocate the same to your biological father that you do to your father-in-law. While YOU might not be as close to your father-in-law, you should be considerate to the fact that your spouse likely is. When you complete your allocations, you can start looking for gifts!
Gift Ideas for Dad
To ensure you give each dad a thoughtful Father’s Day Gift, keep in mind the recipient’s personality. If Dad loves golf, give him personalized golf balls or a personalized golf bag tag. If Dad lives far away, consider a web camera so you can keep in touch via Skype. If Dad is sentimental, opt for a personalized photo frame, picture cookies with a photo of you and your dad, or a photobook for him to cherish your memories together. If Dad is a reader, go with a membership to Book of the Month Club or (if you have siblings who can to chip-in) opt for a Kindle. Try to stick to your budget allocations so don’t clear out your checking account. If you spend less than you expected on one dad, you can afford to spend a little more on another; although, it is not necessary to do that.
In Summary
If and when you get frustrated juggling plans on Father’s Day or having trouble finding a Father’s Day Gift, stop and remember what Father’s Day is about—saying thanks to Dad for his support. If you aren’t able to see Dad or end up without the perfect gift, it’s okay. Just let him know how much he means to you and everything else will work itself out.
