About a week ago, precisely Sunday last week, father’s eventually got their day too; Sunday, June 21. There’s been so much hullabaloo about mothers being celebrated several times and the question on the lips of many, especially fathers was; when will fathers get to be celebrated too?
Yes and yes again, fathers are worth celebrating; they were celebrated on Sunday, and will be celebrated always and forever. There are three different Sundays set aside to celebrate women/ mother’s though for different reasons but a lot of us don’t know this; the Mothering Sunday is all about religion which is celebrated on different days, depending on location and specific religious denomination.
In the United Kingdom, this year’s Mothering Sunday was observed on Sunday March 15, 2026. In Nigeria, the Catholic Church celebrated on April 15, 2026 while the Anglican Church celebrated on March 19, 2026. International Mother’s Day uniformly was on Sunday 19, 2026, while Americans Mothers Day was on Sunday 2, May 2026.
Now, fathers got their own day on Sunday 21 June 2026 which coincidentally was America’s father’s day too. Does date and time really matter? The fact remains that both parents are worth celebrating every day and every time.
On fathers day, children, teenagers and wives celebrated their dad and husbands in different ways.
In fact, I was privileged to read the card a four-year- old boy made with crayons and markers for his dad; ” Daddy, you are the best father in the whole world. I love you very much”. Though he must have been assisted but this means a lot from a four- year’old boy. Some people may overlook the meaning behind this little boy’s heartfelt words, but to the little tot, it carries a weight which actually made his dad teary.
Do you know that there are some kids who don’t know whom their fathers are? I don’t mean absentee fathers or children of single mothers or fathers who have passed on to glory. But fathers who are there but still absent. There are some husbands whose wives couldn’t celebrate too. They are just husbands by name; they are the good “side-men” outside the home, best man and best friends to outsiders but near monsters at home.
The moment the home front hears his footsteps, voice or his car hoot outside the gate, the home becomes a graveyard, with everyone making sure not to be in his way or at the receiving end of his anger and frustration.
Hmmm, some men are not totally bad but exhibit some of these behaviours. This may not actually be as a result of other women or side chicks. This could be as a result of frustration from all sides, feeling choked with responsibilities and trying very hard to satisfy his wife and children and sometimes extended family members and meeting up with his goals. Some may even be dealing with health issues.
We all know that the country is hard and the responsible men and fathers carry a lot of weight on their shoulders which are sometimes frail. But there’s a place for communion at times like this. That’s why the Lord has given men help mate in the form of their wives. Agreed some women are tough and wouldn’t want to listen, but I tell you good communication skills have a way of getting through to even the toughest.
Men, please, don’t always attempt to carry these burdens alone, share them with your spouse or trusted ones and cast your burden to God who is the almighty burden bearer.
We all aren’t cut out the same; some fathers go through terrible situations and yet still balance it up. They care and show love at home, sharing their worries and burden with their spouses; helping out with chores and children’s needs- mind you this aspect of fatherhood isn’t stupidity and especially in some cultures, they will ascribe it to juju.
This is definitely not juju; it’s laying the bedrock of your future and as you lay your bed so you lie on it.
While we were growing up, a classmate in the secondary school was always talking about her dad. Of course, her mom lived in the same house. Even the most intimate things like her first menstrual period, the first boy to approach her and things like that got to her father first. They had a great bond and relationship and because of mutual understanding,the mom was cool with it. So many fathers are out there just like her father.
In another dimension, we all are humans and, of course, once the tongue and the mouth can have their own period of misunderstanding, then make up, forgive and move on like nothing happened; fathers, mothers and even children should be able to accommodate each other’s flaws. That is the essence of being human beings and not animals.
In all sincerity, fathers who are fathers; worthy of the title are trying, they carry a lot of loads and try to balance up a lot, believe me. Celebrate your parents all the time and don’t wait until specific days. Days like this are meant for something extraordinary or special. Let’s show love and care when the recipients can still appreciate and feel loved.
To those absentee fathers, please, retrace your steps and apologize if necessary, ” ojo ale ‘lebo”. A time will come when you will need these ones you abandoned. Karma remains real and it comes at a “mans” lowest.
If as a mother or child you suffered or experienced a father who abandoned you at your most vulnerable, a tooth for a tooth would not solve the issue. Be nice and try your best when he comes back. This is not for him, but for your own peace of mind.
Let’s spread love and show love. Happy father’s day to all fathers in arrears. Kudos!
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