Let’s Hear it for the Boy
If you had told me years ago that I’d be sitting here today, beaming with pride and writing about my son rocking solo parent duty for several weekends during the summer, I probably would have smiled and said, “Of course he will.” But watching it unfold in real life? It still touches my heart in ways I can’t fully describe.
This summer, while his wife is away for a new work opportunity, my son is stepping up to the plate in a big and beautiful way. For six weekends, it’s just him and their two little ones, ages one and three. A tag team that’s equal parts adorable chaos and pure love. And let me tell you, he’s handling it all like a pro.
From morning wake-ups with messy bedhead and sleepy giggles to bedtime snuggles with stories, potty training, diapers, spills and sippy cups, he’s there for it all. He makes sure the kids are fed with their favorite foods. He wrangles tiny shoes onto wiggly feet, buckles car seats, wipes sticky hands, provides hugs for scraped knees, and soothes the occasional meltdown.
I see him making it a point to keep the kids happy and busy. One minute they’re headed to a birthday party, the next they’re off to the park to swing under the summer sun, playing outside in the yard, or exploring new places just to see their wide-eyed wonder.
I see him balancing the day-to-day: meals, endless snack requests, tantrums that come out of nowhere, and somehow still finding the patience to get through the weekend. He’s giving them love, adventure, stability, and security all at once.
Behind the scenes, this is what modern partnership looks like: supporting your spouse’s dreams even when it means carrying the extra load. His wife is away for an exciting work opportunity that will help their family grow, and instead of seeing that as a burden, he’s embraced it as a gift for all of them.
There’s no scorekeeping, no resentment, just love and the daily actions that say “I’ve got this, so you can do you.” It’s the kind of quiet, steady heroism that doesn’t make the headlines, but maybe it should.
These weekends are more than just days on a calendar, they’re memories being woven into the fabric of who his children are becoming. They’ll remember the special time with their Dad feeling safe, secure and loved.
They’ll grow up knowing that being present and dependable is what real love looks like. They’ll know that family is about showing up for each other, through every season and every opportunity.
As a mom, there’s nothing sweeter than witnessing your child becoming the kind of parent who makes you want to stand up and cheer. I see his patience, his commitment, his quiet strength, and my heart swells with gratitude and pride.
So today, I want to shine a light on all the moms and dads who do the invisible work: who hold their families together in big ways and small, who pack lunches and play pretend, who wipe tears and push swings, who show their kids, by example, how to love.
Here’s to my son, and here’s to the good men everywhere who make fatherhood an act of grace, devotion, and courage. I know he doesn’t think it’s easy, he just knows he needs to get it done. Some days I know he’s just getting by; because I remember them well.
There will be smudged cheeks, grass-stained clothes, tousled hair, and toys scattered in every corner but above all, there will be love. Love for his family, and the tender, lasting bond he's building with his daughters. My relationship with my dad was the most important of my life and I see echoes of that same deep connection in the way my son shows up for his girls.
So, if you see a dad like this in your life, give him a shoutout. Cheer him on. Remind him that what he does every single day is shaping the future, one bedtime story and backyard adventure at a time. Let’s hear it for the boy!
xo Sheryl
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