The other day, my six year old daughter, Amelia, asked, “Why don’t they have a Kids’ Day?”. This was in response to the fact that Mother’s Day had just passed, and Father’s Day was coming up. I suppose every kid asks this question, and I remember having the same curiosity. In response, like a knee-jerk reaction, I gave the cliché parental rebuttal, “Because every day is Kids’ Day.” Cue the eye-rolls.
One of the joys of celebrating holidays is the emphasis on creating traditions. Although Father’s Day isn’t a holiday that has the most clear-cut traditions, that’s part of the fun! This means that you’re able to create your own. Personally, these are my tenets for ensuring a solid Father’s Day:
These days, it seems as if I’m going to a kid’s birthday party every other weekend. I’ve made it my mission to only buy Amelia’s friends experiences: passes to the wave pool, trampoline park, or skate rink, for example. I see the mountains of toys these kids are already getting. What’s one more present? I digress.
Being quasi-minimalistic in nature, another gadget or gizmo is not something I desire for myself as a father, either. Rather, I’d prefer to build the day and its traditions around the activities and leisure that I find most appealing. In the end, the fond memories we create will be what I cherish most. Amelia and I have been playing a lot of basketball and ping-pong lately, having epic dance parties, and going on lots of walks. Although not outside the norm, these are the same activities that would make my Father’s Day a success.
Always rejuvenating, nature is a must for my Father’s Day. Amelia and I already gather spring water once a month for our household needs, but I’d like to make that an annual Father’s Day agenda item. The spring water spot that I go to is also conveniently located near one of my favorite hikes. The wildflowers will be bursting during that time, too—a true treat for a plant nerd such as myself!
While out and about, I like to bring books of botanical inspiration such as Michael Moore’s classic Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West or perhaps some handy plant flashcards. This way, Amelia and I can continue to learn together. You can check out this awesome resource to find a spring water source near you. While not on the docket for this year, my daughter and I both enjoy foraging in the woods near our Oregon home, and we had tons of fun nettle “hunting” earlier this spring.
As mentioned previously, if I can get some basketball and ping-pong time in with my kiddo, I’ll be a happy camper. Infusing play into your life, consistently, is crucial to supporting a healthy outlook. If you’re a fan of games, the Wildcraft Board Game is always a hit too. Why not make it a goal to play as much as possible during your Father’s Day?
I love to cook, and I try to include Amelia in the process as much as possible. Our current favorite recipe to make is a batch of plain and simple banana pancakes using organic pumpkin pie spice! While out on a hike, you can never go wrong with packing a delicious picnic basket. Here are some fun recipes from the Mountain Rose Herbs Blog that would make fine additions to your hiking menu:
And if we’re talking nourishment, I’ve got to give a plug for making a daily nourishing herbal infusion. To get me energized and ready for an active Father’s Day, it’s a must to start my day with a strong brew of organic oatstraw or organic nettle leaf.
I love this time of year in general because we’re so close to the summer solstice. That means long, sunny, and beautiful days. You can really pack a lot into a Father’s Day! I’m looking forward to ending the day with a cold glass of homebrew.
I hope these four tradition-building tenets have inspired you, regardless of your fatherhood status. What do you plan on doing for the holiday?
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