And we have lift off! YAY! Happy Father's Day to all dads celebrating it today! Have an AWESOME DAY!

-Stef

With 1 day to go to Father's Day, I feel it's about time to take a look at the bigger picture and forget our own importance around Father's Day for a moment. I've just come across the Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation which supports single-parent families with terminally-ill children. The Foundation partners with children's hospitals and other providers to offer a 24-hour relief for single parents.

This Fathers Day, the Foundation is running a campaign for SINGLE FATHERS called "Dedication 2 Dads." Everyone can make donations in honor of their fathers and help single dads who are struggling financially as they care for their sick (sometimes dying) children.

For more information and to make a donation please visit the Andre Sobel River of Life website and click on the Dedications 2 Dads icon. ... read more >>

With two days to go - here's a list to help you decide HOW you are going to spend YOUR day on Sunday!

The DIYFather list of top things to do on Father's Day:

* find your all time favourite song/tune - play it to your kids and explain why you like it, when you first heard it etc. If you have an instrument and can play it to them - even better!

* teach the little ones one of your "tricks" - could be a party trick, your secret method for something or a skill. If you have a young baby show them something that haven't discovered yet, e.g. how to blow rasberries, blink or stack blocks.

* plant something that grows with your kids ... like a tree or a seed, and make a wish. Watch it grow over the next few months / years

* let your kids dress you and style your hair (if you have a baby, dress them in something you usually wear and take a photo) ... read more >>

OK - here's one of the more bizarre videos for Father's Day:

-Stef

4 days to go to Father's Day and if you're stuck for ideas on what to do with your kids - check this out!

This year on Father's Day, why not make a keepsake with your child along with a fun memory? Your child will love the idea of getting to paint something that normally we would say “NO!” to. Even better, the little DIY project will create a wonderful memory of doing something with your child on Father's Day. You can hang it up as a piece of art (and sell it for millions in a few years when your offspring is famous).

You will need:
* Construction paper (white or a light color)
* WASHABLE Paint (1 color for each shoe)
* Sponge or paintbrush
* Daddy's left shoe (yes, that's YOU ... take off your left shoe ... do it now!)
* Left shoe from each child

Step by step instructions:
1) First find a place where you can be worry-free with paint (I'm sure you know what we mean by that). ... read more >>

OK - 5 days to go to Father's Day and here's a little clip from the youtube archives. Def Jam's Shihan on the very topic ...

-Stef

Bruce's story titled "Memories are made of this" at T-6 in our countdown to Father's Day

I am quite happy to write this column from the vantage point of some distance from the pain of my own father’s death and the time I was alone, separated, and then divorced, and raising my boys 24/7. But, it only seems appropriate to reflect on those times, the positive memories of my dad, and the contrasting struggle of teaching my boys, much younger then, to remember their own father.

My father was a unique man: stoic, hard working, resistant to complaints, and whining, and completely in love with my mother. David Sallan died where he was happiest, right next to my mom, holding her hand, at 90 years of age. They met when he was 17 and she was 14, by a lake in Michigan; he was the sun-tanned water-worshipper, she was the shy, pale, redhead with a brain. He was brawn; she was class. And, he worshipped her from the day he laid eyes on her. ... read more >>

The 3rd Sunday in June is celebrated as Father's Day in quite a few countries around the world (more so than on any other day I think). So to get in the mood we'll be posting a Father's Day related article each day this week to lead up to Sunday the 19th of June.

So we're now at T-7 ... check out Rusty and Larnold of the South Carolina Manhood Network with their inspirational video clip for Father's Day :-)

Thanks to Jon Thorsen for sending it in!

-Stef

Today is the day for all fathers in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Honduras and Bolivia. Here's our message to you:

Feliz Día del Padre!
Felice Giorno del Padre!
Feliz Dia do Pai!
Fröhlicher Vatertag!

And by sheer coincidence (or following yesterday's post) I got sent a msg from one of the world's largest manufacturers of jigsaw puzzles about Father's Day in Spain.

It's about creating a personalised puzzle made from photos. Nice idea for a father's day gift - especially if you spend some of your time on father's day putting it together with your kids!

-Stef

A very happy father’s day to all father’s celebrating this day that recognises fathers.
Today DIYFather was invited to attend and be involved in a Father’s Day celebration held at Capitol E, Civic Square, Wellington.

The event was organised by Jigsaw and supported by, Capitol E!, Wellington Rugby Lions, Classic Hits and DIYFather.

Entertainment came by a one man Pirate Show, thank you Captain Fearless Fickletummy for a very entertaining morning.

Special guest Cory Jane from the Wellington Lions. ... read more >>