Navigating Father’s Day Without a Father

With Father’s Day around the corner, I think about the little ones who may not have a “father” to celebrate. Maybe their family just does not have a dad, maybe they lost their dad; there are a multitude of reasons why a family may not celebrate Father’s Day, or celebrate differently. Here are some tips for families looking for alternatives to traditional Father’s Day festivities.

Answering Questions

With traditional holidays come questions: “where is my dad,” “why don’t I have a dad,” and so on. Based on your situation and your little one’s age, be gentle, open, and present. These can be hard questions for grown-ups too! If you know these questions are coming, be prepared and create a space that not only feels safe for your little ones to ask them, but feels safe for you to answer them. It can be a cozy spot on the couch or in their room while playing a game. Answer to the best of your ability, and always remind them that they can come to you if they want to talk more.  Learn more about hard topics with your little ones HERE.

Other Father-Figures

Does your little one have any other father-figures in their life? Encourage your little one to think about the important people in their life that take care of them: grandparents, uncles, aunts, babysitters, other caretakers. Your little one can make cards or gifts for the people they want to thank and celebrate.

Reclaim the Day

If Father’s Day is something you are looking to avoid altogether, reimagine the holiday. Plan something special with the whole family. Maybe everyone gets to pick one activity and that can create the itinerary for the day, or maybe you go out to the park for a picnic; it can be anything because it’s your family’s day! Create a new family tradition to teach and practice gratitude for the incredibly special family you are a part of, and reassure them they are loved and valued no matter what your family looks like.

I have a friend who lost their dad when we were 16, and I always try to remember to reach out on Father’s Day to let them know I’m thinking of them. It’s so important to remind your little ones, as well as your friends who find this holiday a difficult one to celebrate, how much they are loved. At the end of the day, feeling love from our family and friends is what these holidays are all about.