Happy Father’s Day, Deal with It
Swen Nater

Remember the story, The Emperor’s New Clothes. There’s a connection to Father’s Day. Somebody has got to stand up and say it so I’m saying it now.

In America, Mother’s Day is more important than Father’s Day. It’s a fact; it’s OK; we fathers need to deal with it.

Deal with the Mother’s Day Buffet
A few years ago, my family took me out to eat on Father’s day to the same restaurant we visited on Mother’s Day one month earlier. What a difference!  The Mother’s Day buffet was a celebrated masterpiece with aromas of steaming baked chicken, snappy and brilliant green beans with bacon, golden cheeses of every sort, and dripping roast beef that called my name. The Kuskus wasn’t even that bad. In the same restaurant on Father’s Day, it was seat yourself and when the busboy finally handed us the menus, he apologized that most of the items were not available because they had run out of flour, sugar, and eggs. Yeah! And I know exactly when they had run out: One month earlier on Mother’s Day! I just need to deal with that.

Deal with the Signs on TV
Men are competitive. We can’t stand losing. But, men, trust me; let this one go. You are not going to win it. Look! There are signs all around you. Those college kids on televised sporting events are not going to exchange their “Hi Mom” signs for one with your name on it. Your name will be on the one that reads, “Dad, send money.” Deal with it.

Deal with the Fact, Father’s Day Gifts are Cheaper than Mother’s Day Gifts
A friend of mine told me he once told his children, “Don’t spend much on Father’s Day.” He said, “It’s the one time my kids were obedient.” It’s a fact, Father’s Day gifts are cheaper than Mother’s Day gifts. It’s just the way it is. Deal with it. Just take the Starbucks gift card and golf bag pencil holder and go on.

Deal with the fact, Father’s Day is after Mother’s Day
I know it’s unfair Father’s Day comes after Mother’s Day. But did it have to be only one month? It’s like having your birthday on December 26th. But, it is the way it is. Deal with it.

Oh, that reminds me. Although there will be a variety of Father’s Day gifts out there, there is one gift every father will receive—the bills for Mother’s Day.

Happy Father’s Day. Deal with it.