OK, hands up, we admit it – we’re mums. MUMS. So we might not be the best people to come to for advice about Father’s Day.
But we happen to know quite a few dads. These dads have given us a lovely little insight into what would make their Father’s Day complete.
So, without further ado, we bring to you The Mums and Me Researched Guide to the Perfect Father’s Day (catchy, isn’t it?!)
Sleep
This one probably comes as no surprise, but the dads are just like us in this respect. Every dad we spoke to told us sleep would be a vital ingredient in his perfect Father’s Day.
With this in mind, it looks like we’ll be on night duty for any nocturnal waking, as well as on the early morning rota. Fair enough really (as long as we get our fair share of sleep on Mother’s Day, that is).
Peace and quiet
Second on the list of must-haves is a spot of peace and quiet. It would be unrealistic to call for out and out pre-baby peace, but a bit of calm to read the paper and drink a cup of coffee seems to be what lots of dads most require on the journey to their perfect day.
Again, it sounds lovely – we’re not surprised about this one.
A cooked breakfast
Whether it’s a plain old bacon sandwich or the works – with sausage, egg, bacon and all the other trimmings – a breakfast that consists of more than just cereal is also a high priority for dads on Father’s Day apparently.
And, of course, it goes without saying that this breakfast will be cooked for them and enjoyed in the aforementioned peace and quiet, probably with the paper.
A little gift
Perhaps surprisingly, lots of the dads we spoke to didn’t even mention a gift. It was almost like they were too busy dreaming of their lie-in and cooked breakfast… but because we’ve done Father’s Day before, we know a little gift always goes down well.
Whether this gift is of the homemade variety, such as your classic toddler pasta necklace or painting, or something a bit fancier, the gift is about showing you’ve remembered Father Day’s before 7am and have actually planned ahead.
Happy kids
Children in a good mood make parents in a good mood. Every single dad we spoke to told us their Father’s Day could potentially be ruined by grumpy children, tantrums and tears.
This one’s sort of out of our control, but it may be one to consider the evening before. An early night may be the key to a happy next day with minimal fuss and arguments.
An evening with you
It’s true. Seriously. We kid you not – these men are true romantics at heart. Many of the dads we spoke to listed an evening with their partner as the perfect end to a lovely Father’s Day.
From a meal out, to drinks at the local or a bottle of wine on the sofa snuggled in front of a good film, the end result is the same: an evening together, just the two of you, enjoying each other’s company.
The trick for us will be managing to stay awake long enough to enjoy the evening. It’s tiring work entertaining children, cooking breakfast, ensuring enough peace for the Father of all lie-ins – not to mention keeping prime conditions for peace and harmony to reign.
We’re exhausted just thinking about it.
Happy Father’s Day! Feel free to share your tips with us – we need all the help we can get.
©2012