Dads aren’t really all that different from moms when it comes to what they really want inwardly, it turns out. They want to hear that they are appreciated. They want to know that they are noticed and respected. We all have those particular things that make us feel wanted and appreciated. It may be someone recognizing the hard work we’ve done, a special outing to our favorite restaurant, quality time with our significant other, or a much-needed hug at just the right moment. Whatever it is, we know just how powerful a little appreciation can be. But, in the age-old battle of the sexes, moms and dads are not always the same when it comes to being treasured. If you’re wondering how to make your man feel worthy, read on to see what they really want as told to Redditt (names have been omitted for privacy).
What Dads REALLY Want for Father’s Day
TO HEAR:
“You’re a good dad and husband.”
“You are noticed, appreciated and respected.”
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What Dads REALLY Want for Father’s Day
REQUESTS:
“A good breakfast and/or dinner and a day of peace and quiet, left to my own projects or to just sit and disconnect.”
“Time to lock myself away with XBox & PlayStation and have the kids bring me munchies, if needed.”
“Drinks, snacks, pizza and a controller with some music in the background.”
“A day of peace and quiet and no honeydo list.”
“Please don’t ask me to watch the kids while you X.”
“I have stuff to do that I never get to do the other 364 days. Don’t get me anything. Don’t make me dinner. Just let me do whatever I want to do.”
“It took years for this to sink in for my wife but I’ve had the ‘leave me alone’ Father’s Day for the last 3 years now. She takes the kids and heads out for the day and I stay home and play Zelda guilt free. It’s glorious.”
“Seriously. I hate getting gifts. I don’t want a gift. If you absolutely must get me a gift, ASK ME FIRST (unless it’s something sentimental) SO IM NOT ANNOYED BY THE GIFT. Then just leave me alone for the day / a very extended period of time.”
“A meal or two is fine, but order in from MY favorite place without a fuss – I don’t want you to break your back in the kitchen for me. Cake if you must.”
“Less looming chores than usual. A small, fun event outside. Pizza, ribs, fajitas with a margarita.”
“Nothing. It’s just another day. My wife tells me she loves me and I’m doing a good job all the time. My daughter (2.5) is obsessed with me. I have a great life. I don’t want anything to change. I don’t need gifts. I don’t need extra affection. I get what I need every day. I don’t need a mandated pat in the back. It’s just another day.”
“A day where I can drink some beers while I grill some tritip over charcoal, without worrying about watching the kid.”
“For me, a round of golf and no chores to do when I get home.”
“I want to day drink, and play videogames with my wife and kids and end the day off with pizza for the kids and be the little spoon while watching scary movies.”
“Honestly, just some peace and quiet. Just take the kids and leave the house. Don’t call or text. Come home at bedtime. And it doesn’t mean I don’t love you or the kids. Quite the opposite. But a man needs to just be left alone once in a while. Even if it’s just one day out of the year, we’ll take it.”
“For me, it’ll be: You give everything for us and ask for nothing. You go without so we never do. Today, go do what you want. I trust you and your judgment, I’ve set aside a few bucks for you to just go do you. This year, you have been our rock, we’re safe because of you and we’ll be okay for a few hours while you to just go do something on your own that I won’t question or nag you about. I don’t want to sleep in. That’s a waste of my most vital resource–time. I don’t want trinkets; they get lost or trashed. I don’t need a fancy dinner–hell, I’m happy to cook it anyway. I want the world to stop bringing me problems that I have to solve, and I want just a few precious moments where I don’t have to defend my actions, thoughts, words, or dreams.”
“My wife is a great gift giver. Last father’s day she splurged and got me a Big Green Egg. One father’s day she got me a hammock. This year, I actually told her I wanted to go for a pedicure. I’ve never had one and I hear they’re awesome.”
“I like to actually be involved with the family. I want to do things but I want the things to be low stress. Let me grill up dinner but buy me all the ingredients so I only have to do the prep work and cook. Let me set up the kiddy pool so I can watch the kids play outside. Let me start a camp fire so I can watch the kids make s’mores. I don’t want to do a lot, but I want to experience my family. Because 9 times out of ten, mom experiences all of this, every day, without me because I’m working or doing chores. If you don’t own a single family home, let’s go to the park and have a picnic. Have the kids just run around and play while I watch them or even join in a bit. I still want to relax but I want to watch my family having fun.”
“Honestly just a few extra hours of sleep and to not have to make any decisions for the day.”
“We have a nearly 3 month old and I’m back at work so sleep is at a premium right now. Let me get either a few extra hours of sleep all at once or let me go up for a 2-3 hour nap in the early afternoon. Then just decide on dinner and the show/movie we’re going to watch.”
“I don’t need gifts, I don’t need to go anywhere, I don’t need to have all my responsibilities covered. Just a few more hours of sleep and no decisions for one day and let’s just enjoy the day together as a family.
