Bonding with Dad

Mrs. John B. Dodd of Washington for introduced the idea of Father's Day in 1909. It became more and more popular until finally in 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the third Sunday of June as Father's Day.

Each of us has our ideas of how Father's Day should be celebrated and in our society the cards and gifts will continue to help build those memories. But Dad deserves more than just one more striped tie-he needs the gift of time and/or something homemade. Let's appreciate all the things he brings to our lives by sharing these experiences and bonding with Dad on his special day.

Sweet child of mine (baby and toddler)

It's important for a father to get involved with daily care activities-feeding, dressing, and changing diapers-early in his child's life. Bonding is an important lifetime experience between a father and child.

Play this game anytime you dress your little one. Massage, kiss, cuddle, and blow air on the child's body. Tell your youngster you love him. Daddy can recite the following poem as he dresses his bundle of joy on Father's Day.

Daddy loves you so, sweet child of mine.
You are so soft and warm to hold.
I'll wiggle your nose and tickle your toes,
Then go round and round on your soft little tummy.
Now for a kiss, sweet child of mine.
You are a joy to love and cuddle.

Put your hand in mine (preschool)

As your child gets a little older, comparing handprints is a lifelong lesson. Have your child place his hand on a sheet of paper and trace around it. Place your hand over the tracing of your child's hand and help your child trace around it. Ask your youngster to compare the sizes of the two sets of hands. Tell your child a story about something you liked to do when your hands were small and then invite your child to chime in what he would like to do when his or her hands are the size of yours. As an extended activity, take a walk together holding hands.

Things dads and kids can do together (school age)

Go to the local nursery together to buy a few plants. At home, spend fun time in the yard planting your new foliage. Continue gardening together as much as possible.

Set up the sprinkler in the yard and have fun splish-splashing through the water.

Have a "mini family reunion." Invite relatives over for an afternoon of food and games. Kids, help Dad with the barbeque.

Snuggle away a few hours together on the couch talking about your child's dreams, hobbies, etc. Kids, today, read a story to Dad.

Most of all, kids, tell Dad you love him.

Homemade gifts for dads

What father wouldn't cherish something homemade by their child? Recycle common throwaways and with a few low-cost items-a gift is born!

Tin can caddy. Make Dad a special place for his pencils, pens, and notes. Wash out an aluminum can (soup or vegetable size). Paint it with acrylic paint or spray paint it with an adult's help. Make sure you're painting in a well-ventilated place. To make bird's face and message keeper, glue on a spring-type clothespin for a beak. Use two adhesive'"wiggly" eyes, or glue on bottle caps. With a black permanent marker, draw eyeballs inside the lids, and any other facial features your child wishes. Clamp on a special note written or drawn by the child.

A chip off the old block. Take a small block of wood. Have the child sand it smooth and stain it with an adult's help. Invite the child to pick out a picture of himself and glue it onto the block. Using a permanent marker, print the words "Chip Off The Old Block." Don't forget to place a name and date for a lasting memory. Add this note: This wooden block is for you Dad, It's sanded with all the strength I had, Something made from me to you, To say "Happy Father's Day." I love you!

Father's placemat. For a less structured craft, invite your child to draw a picture of Dad on a sheet of construction paper. At the top, print the phrase, "Fathers Are Loved All Over The World." Give your child this list and let him write foreign words for father randomly across the paper. Cover with a sheet of clear plastic adhesive paper.

Der Vater-German

Padre-Italian, Spanish

Pere-French

Bah Bah-Chinese

Patera-Greek

Photo tie. Find an old tie that Dad will no longer use. Knot the tie in a wearable fashion. Now, gather empty jar lids around the house. Either draw pictures of special events or cut out photocopies of photos to glue into these lids. Apply heavy glue to the backs of the lids and adhere these to the tie. Let the project dry thoroughly. Give this gift to Dad as a special photo collage to hang at home or in his office.

Snack can. You'll need: Coffee can, construction paper, tape or glue, clear adhesive paper, stickers, poster paints, markers, crayons, two bags of fish-shape crackers, bag of mini-pretzels, box of raisins, can of mixed nuts or peanuts, popcorn.

Decorate the snack can for Father's Day. Cut the construction paper to fit the can. Invite the kids to decorate the construction paper with stickers, paint, markers, and crayons. Glue or tape this decorated paper onto the coffee can. Cover with clear adhesive paper. Mix the food ingredients for the Father's Day snack, fill the can, and present this snack can to Dad on his special day.