Moms, let’s hear it for the Dads! In honor of Father’s Day, we want to shout out the men who love, support, and encourage our kids. Just like moms, Dads are born when their children are, so it takes time and practice to walk confidently in the role. Who better to give the fathers in our lives some encouragement than other fathers? Here’s some of the best advice we gathered from across The Local Moms Network , from the special Dads in my life, and from local Dads in the Cypress & NW Houston area!
Advice From Local Dads:
Chef Carlos Benitez, JC Hibachi
“Spend as much time as you can with your children because they do grow up so fast. Work is and will always there – it will be there forever. Work hard, but don’t work so much that you don’t spend time with the kids.. We work so much to give them everything. But work in a way where you can provide for the family but also give them as much time as you can. At the end of the day – what they need most, is spending time with us. One day you will turn around and they will be 20 and you can’t get that time back.”
– Carlos Benitez, JC Hibachi
Dan Schoen, Houston Swim Club
“Watch sports, pick your battles, make the time and realize your time with them will be over in the blink of an eye!
– Dan Schoen, Houston Swim Club
Shane, Hugs & Bubbles
“Take time to really listen to your children. They really crave our undivided attention, and we all have less time than we think with our kids while they’re little. It all goes so fast, and you have to cherish it”
-Shane, Hugs & Bubbles.
Advice From Special Dads in my life:
Joe Montesano, Cypress Moms Network
My best advice would be to be present – I have tried to make a point to avoid distractions (phones, etc.) when I am with the kids, and it makes a noticeable difference. They feel it when they don’t have your full attention – and they deserve the best of you!
– Joe Montesano, my husband, Cypress Moms Network Monte Cards
“Encourage them. You can never encourage them too much”
– Mike, my Father in Law, Cypress Moms Network
“Being a father is like planting a seed, from the time of birth you have to give a lot of care and love to protect them at every moment of their growth so that they flourish. Being a father is not easy, but it is the most beautiful thing in life.”
– Ramon, my Dad, Cypress Moms Network
Advice from across The Local Moms Network Dads:
“Try to spend some 1 on 1 time with each kid. This can be doing something as simple as going to the car wash together, a Home Depot run, or maybe 9 holes of golf! But it’s within those little moments alone that you can really connect with your child and build those lifelong memories.” — Fred, Morris Bernard Moms
“You’re not their babysitter, you’re their dad. Don’t act like you’re doing anyone any favors and that will keep everyone happy.” Jeremy — Chicago North Shore Moms
“No matter how tired I am at the end of the day, I take advantage of my precious time with my kids. Life won’t happen ‘one day when I have time.’ It’s happening now! And I’ll never get these moments back.” — George, The Local Moms Network