Dear Daddy: An Open Letter From Toddlers To Dads
Dear Daddy,
Even though I’m only two and a half years old, I need to love and be loved. And Daddy, I love you so very much.
I want you to know that although Mommy spends a lot of time with me, you are still half of my world. I need my Mommy, but I need my Daddy, too.
I realize that since I can’t talk with you about football yet, you sometimes struggle with what to do with me when we are together. It’s okay. I’m pretty easy to please. But just in case, I made a list of 3 things that will draw us closer together (there are more than this, but I can only count to three right now).
1. Spend Time With Me. Don’t buy into the “quality” time argument. Yes, I want you to be “present” when you are with me, but I’m not so concerned with what we do. I just want to spend time with you – and lots of it! We can play silly games you make up or wrestle on the bed. As long as we are together, I will get to know you and you will get to know me. Please make time for me in your day even though you may be tired after coming home from a long day at work.
2. Read To Me. I love stories. Even though you may read the same book that Mommy read to me earlier in the day, it doesn’t matter. I can listen to the same story over and over. Plus, you make those funny voices that I really like. Most of all, I just like to hear your voice. I need to have a man’s voice in my life. You see the world a little differently as a Daddy, and I need to hear your wisdom in my life.
3. Put Me To Bed. Bedtime is a special time. Mommies are great for bedtime because they know how to snuggle you and give you lots of kisses, but I like it when you put me to bed, too. I like feeling safe in your strong arms as you carry me to bed. I like putting my tiny arms around your big neck and the feeling of my smooth, soft hands in your calloused ones. But most of all, I like to hear you pray. I feel very safe when you pray for me. I know God is listening to you, and I know he is watching over our family because you are taking the time to pray for all of us.
Well, that’s really all I had to say. I haven’t seen you much lately and didn’t know when we would get a chance to talk about this stuff. Mommy said you are working on a big project at work.
I know you make a lot of sacrifices for our family. Even though I may not understand what “work” is, I know that it’s not your favorite thing to do and yet you do it because you love me. Thank you. I really mean it. Thank you.
I am so glad you are my Daddy!
Blessings,
Mitchell
Love this. I see the joy in my son’s face when he asks me to play with him and I say yes.
Thank you for your comment. I agree. Those looks of joy are so rewarding!
Having made poor decisions so very long ago, I missed this critical part of my kids life. This made me cry. After recently finding Christ, I have started to connect with my boys. 50 years late… and yet they are far more forgiving of my past than I am. Thanks for a dose of wonderful reality.
I am so glad to hear you experienced forgiveness through salvation as well as the forgiveness of your sons. What a wonderful story of hope and reconciliation. Thank you for sharing.
I’m one of those dads who get to do all of these things often because my role has been somewhat reversed with that of my wife’s. I work part time, go to school online, do some other odd jobs on the side, but am very blessed to have many opportunities to take my daddy “duties” very seriously.
Thank you for this wonderful reminder. I came across it while reading one by someone else entitled Dad’s tuck your kids in at night. I enjoyed them both and since I am an avid facebooker 🙂 I decided to share them both. Dad’s these reminders often. I have done this well and poorly but I certainly agree with the value in these ideas. If I could make one observation, it would be that in my experience with my now 9 year old son has begun to care about the quality as much as the quantity. I realize that this is to toddlers but it might be valuable to see someone blog addressing time spent with older kids apart from bedtime too. I am new here so maybe that has already been done. Thanks again.
Thanks for sharing the post. I agree that as kids get older, quality time becomes increasingly important. Maybe down the road I’ll do another post with older kids in mind. Thanks again for taking time to comment.