Father’s Day: A Time To Reflect On Father Figures
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Every year, people in the United States celebrate Father’s Day on the third Sunday in June. For many people, this is a day to celebrate the fathers in their lives and the significance of father figures in the family. For other people, it’s a day to remember a father they’ve lost. Father’s Day may pose emotional challenges for some, particularly if they are navigating a complex relationship with their father. This article will explore the emotional significance of Father’s Day and the impact of this day on mental health and well-being.
The origin of Father’s Day
How to celebrate Father’s Day: Father’s Day ideas for adults and children
For many people, Father’s Day is a time to honor the father figures in their lives, as well as their contributions to the family. Father figures to celebrate often include one’s own father and the father of one’s children. Many people celebrate Father’s Day by giving gifts or greeting cards that express their appreciation for their fathers. Other people might choose to make this a family day with a special meal or another type of celebration.
Father’s Day for those who are grieving
For many people, Father’s Day can be an emotional day as they grieve the loss of their father. This may happen even if a person lost their father many years ago, as a father figure can have a significant impact on a person’s life for years after they pass. This may occur even in cases where a person didn’t know or barely knew their father. Regardless of the situation, individuals might choose to take some time with friends or family to honor their father, whether by taking flowers to a gravesite or by recalling any memories they have of their father.
Navigating complex relationships with one’s father
For some people, Father’s Day can elicit mixed feelings, especially if they had a complex relationship with their father figure. Some people may be estranged from their father after divorce or an abusive childhood. In these cases, memories of one’s father, whether he’s alive or deceased, may lead to challenging emotions. However, some people may still have some positive memories that lead them to feel conflicted about how to navigate Father’s Day. There is no right or wrong way to feel about one’s father on this holiday, as each parent-child relationship is profoundly unique.
Processing the impact of Father’s Day: Father’s Day therapy
Individuals who are experiencing mixed emotions on Father’s Day may benefit from speaking with a licensed mental health professional. A supportive therapist can help people process challenging memories related to a father figure and reconcile those thoughts with positive memories. For individuals who have experienced trauma or developed post-traumatic stress disorder related to a father figure, a therapist can help them heal using evidence-based methods, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), cognitive processing therapy, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).
Online support to process difficult emotions in June
Some people may be hesitant to discuss emotional challenges related to a father figure during traditional in-person therapy. In these cases, support is also available through online therapy, which allows anyone to speak with a licensed therapist from home or any location with an internet connection. Therapy can take place via audio, video, or live chat at a time that works for each person. With BetterHelp, a client can reach out to their therapist at any time through in-app messaging, and their therapist will generally respond when they are able. This option may be useful for moments when people experience distressing emotions related to a father figure.
In addition to offering flexible communication options, numerous peer-reviewed studies support the efficacy of online therapy. One review found that online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) could effectively treat depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and substance use disorder, among other conditions.
Takeaway
What do you say to a father on Father’s Day?
The best message for Father’s Day may depend on the type of relationship each person has with their father figure. Many fathers appreciate any show of appreciation, whether via a phone call or a card. To some fathers, a message of “Happy Father’s Day” may be sufficient to feel appreciated.
Why is Father’s Day celebrated in June in the United States?
Father’s Day is celebrated in June because President Nixon declared the third Sunday of the month an official holiday celebrating fathers. Other countries may celebrate on St. Joseph’s Day, which is March 19. In Australia, Father’s Day is celebrated on the first Sunday in September.
What are some ideas for Father’s Day, Father’s Day gifts, and children on this holiday?
Father’s Day can be celebrated in a wide variety of ways. Some people prefer to schedule time with a father figure, such as a meal or afternoon together. Other people choose to show their appreciation with Father’s Day gifts, such as electronic gadgets like digital photo frames. For young children, some parents help them plan fun ways to celebrate their father figure, such as with a hand-made card. Many schools also offer ideas for children to show appreciation for their father figures.
How do you celebrate Father’s Day when you don’t get along with your father?
For some people, Father’s Day or a father’s birthday may not bring up the best memories. Some people may have experienced abuse or neglect from a father figure, and others may never have known their biological father. In these cases, individuals may benefit from seeking the support of friends or family on Father’s Day. It may also help to speak with a licensed therapist about any difficult feelings that arise around Father’s Day.
How can a father with estranged children navigate Father’s Day?
Some fathers may have adult children with whom they have no contact. This can take an emotional toll on fathers as they observe other people celebrating. Fathers in this situation might reflect on what they can do for their own mental health on Father’s Day. While there may not be anything they can do to reconcile with their children, there are ways to practice self-care and nurture one’s emotional well-being. Some fathers may also benefit from speaking with a therapist around Father’s Day to process any challenging emotions that arise.
How can blended families celebrate Father’s Day?
Some children may live in a blended family, possibly with their biological father or another father figure in the home. In these cases, there are many ways for people to celebrate Father’s Day. Some children may want to spend some time with their biological father while also recognizing the importance of another father figure in their life. The way a person celebrates this holiday can be a personal choice that depends on the bond they have with their father figure.
What do most men want for Father's Day?
Although every father may have their own preferences, many enjoy spending quality time with family, simply eating lunch or dinner together, or participating in family traditions on Father’s Day. Some may prefer to have time for relaxation and their favorite hobbies rather than attending a Father’s Day celebration. Others may appreciate handwritten cards and a thoughtful present, no matter their age.
While Anna Jarvis is the founder of Mother’s Day, a woman named Sonora Smart Dodd is the founder of Father’s Day (on her original petition, she spelled it “Fathers’ Day”). After hearing a sermon about Mother’s Day, Dodd talked to her pastor about having a similar day to celebrate fathers. She came from a household where she was the daughter of a single father who also raised five other children after their mother passed away. The first time Father’s Day was celebrated in the United States was in 1909. While the US celebrates Father’s Day on the third Sunday in June, other countries around the world celebrate it on various dates.
What is a powerful Father's Day quote?
One meaningful quote about fatherhood is, “A father is neither an anchor to hold us back nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way.” Adding quotes about the significance of a father figure in your life to a Father’s Day card can be a great way to show you care.
What should you do on Father's Day when you don't like your dad?
If you don’t like your dad, it’s not necessary to celebrate Father’s Day. If you have any grandfathers or brothers with whom you are on good terms and who are fathers, you might celebrate them instead. However, it’s perfectly okay to spend the day with friends or engage in self-care on Father’s Day; there’s no proclamation or law stating you must celebrate your father.
Why is Father's Day a difficult time?
Father’s Day can be a difficult time for a variety of reasons. For those who have unhealthy relationships with their fathers, the occasion may bring up unhappy memories or difficult emotions. Meanwhile, those who have lost their fathers may find that grief around their death is especially strong on Father’s Day.
If you know that Father’s Day is a challenging time for you, it may be helpful to mentally prepare. For example, you could attend therapy sessions in the weeks leading up to Father’s Day in order to work through your feelings and learn valuable coping skills. In addition, you might schedule other events on the date of Father’s Day to give yourself something to look forward to.
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