Its Fathers Day !!

It can sometimes seem that Dad’s get a bit of a backseat when it comes to parenting recognition. It is hard to think that only a couple of decades ago they were not even present in the delivery room!

Single Dads are bringing up children with a full time job, Step Dad’s are taking on their new blended families and Grandad’s are stepping in to help their grandchildren. Single Mum’s are doing the job for two.

It isn’t just about the obligatory presents and it is important to celebrate both sides of the parenting coin and to engage in a conversation with your children about what they love about Dad and why they are grateful to have him. We went shopping and Elijah picked out what he wanted to get Dad and why he chose those gifts this year and it meant a lot to him.
Working in both a retail and hospitality sector like many we tend to have to celebrate Father’s Day on a different day and we found spending some time as a family was more important than any of the gifts he received as he wanted the memories time together with the boys instead.

Little Owls Nursery have put on not just one but a number of Father’s Day story cafés and stay and plays which are where you attend a pre organised morning and a staff member reads a chosen story and there are pre organised activities for you and your child to get involved in. They are the perfect way to celebrate Father’s Day especially if you cannot celebrate on the day.
The stay and play and story cafés are completely free and open to all father figures to attend and they really are a great way to see your child in their nursery environment they also get very excited when they realise you are actually staying and not just dropping them off! Elijah enjoyed showing me where everything was at his last café!
Little Owls recently hosted a Father’s Day Story Café at their Scarning setting which invited all Dad’s, Grandad’s, Uncle’s and Father figures to come and spend time with their children and get involved in some fantastic activities that the staff had created and put together.
The Gruffalo Child was the chosen book read to everyone by a staff member which is a firm favourite in every house and a number of activities were organised such as den building and construction arts encouraged everyone to get involved which strengthens the link between home and nursery even further.It was a great success with a number of Dad’s and Grandad’s attending.
There were even bacon rolls and sausage rolls available as a refreshment after all of that busy constructing!
There will also be a mini beasts stay and play held at the Toftwood setting next week as well which gives the option for Dad’s and Grandad’s to come along and enjoy spending some time on their child’s nursery and follows on from the recent theme the children have all been enjoying thoroughly. There will be bug hunt, building worm houses and lots of yummy treats on offer.
From a personal experience I think it is so important for Dad’s, Grandad’s and other caregivers to be given their very own story café dedicated to celebrating Father’s Day with their children and just to spend some time doing some different activities they may not have done at home or had the chance to do otherwise without the nursery is really important and really does strengthen the nursery and home link. It will also create some amazing memories that everyone can enjoy and look back on.
However you celebrate Father’s Day and whatever your family circumstance we hope all the Dad’s, Daddy’s, Pops, Grandad’s Pa’s, Step Dad’s, Single Dad’s and Mum’s doing the job for two have a wonderful day with their children.
Vicki Cockerill is a NICU/ CHD Mum of two boys, a freelance blogger and social media adviser, Co-Founder of #knackeredandNorwich social club and maternal mental health advocate