Fathering Friday
Mental or what?
Hey Dads,
We’ve made it through another week - pat yourself on the back!
And what a week it has been - Year 6 SATs anyone? We’re certainly glad that’s over, and if you’ve just been through it, give your kid a high-5 and celebrate their efforts.
It doesn’t matter how well they did, and even though Year 7 groupings may be affected by the results, there are several more years of schooling to get through yet, so anything can happen and everything is possible. And, beyond school, the world is their oyster - from apprenticeships and entry-level jobs, to university and online learning, there’s no ‘right’ way to be educated and no single pathway to ‘success’, however you define it.
So Dads, relax, it’s the weekend now and time to enjoy some downtime. Let go of any exam worries and focus on having some fun.
What will you do to relax this weekend?
Decide the vibe - consider a weekend of complete relaxation. Lazy mornings, only absolutely necessary chores, ordering a takeaway instead of cooking, watching movies - sounds great! You could plan a trip to the park, a walk in the forest, or a stroll along the beach to help you and the your family unwind and recharge. You don’t have to make it a big deal either, or a huge event with picnics and games - just throw some outdoor gear on and go for a wander.
Choose the chores - do as little as possible this weekend. You can always catch-up during the week, or next weekend. Do what only needs to be done to get you through and into Monday - wash school uniform and work clothes, give the bathroom sink a wipe round and say, “That’ll do”. It’s ok to do very little sometimes and we need to give ourselves permission to take a break. Remember, you’re a human ‘being’, not a human ‘doing’.
Food for thought - it’s time to get lazy this weekend. Yes, you could throw some burgers on the BBQ, or, simply eat out, or order a takeaway. You might fancy a supermarket pizza, microwave meal, or one of those ‘meal deals’ from the nearest convenience store. You might even have some left-overs in the freezer, or something saved from batch cooking. Just make food choices this weekend as easy as possible!
Factor the fun - give your brain a break and let the kids decide this weekend. They can choose the activities, food, movie to watch, and games to play. And if they choose to laze around and do very little with you, then you’re off the hook for a bit - make the most of it and go do something that floats your boat instead… read, walk, bathe, meditate, or pop down the pub for a pint with a mate.
Daddy down time - give yourself permission to be lazy! We all could use, and deserve rest time. So this weekend, say ‘no’ to chores, DIY, mowing the lawn, washing the car, and whatever else was lined up. Allow yourself to stop, breath, and perhaps sit in the sun with an iced drink. Negotiate some time with a partner if you have one, so that you both get some time off, alone, and away from the kids.
Being responsibly lazy is ok. You’ve thought about it, planned for it, and know how you’ll get stuff done another day. Organising down time and rest is essential for your wellbeing Dad, so do not feel guilty!
If you have ideas to share, please get in touch - mandadmedia.cloud@gmail.com
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Be the best ManDad you can be! … oh, and share this with your mates, colleagues, your boss, and family members too!
Cheers,
ManDad HQ.