What Makes a Father: Remembering Dad and Honouring Father Figures This Father’s Day

Father's Day is coming up and having lost my dad 9 years ago, I still feel that loss most days.

I was lucky enough to have a father who made it hard for any other man to measure up to.

He was funny, kind and generous, a passionate man, and he lived for his family. He worked hard - often 2 to 3 jobs to provide for us and to ensure Mum could be home to look after us.

He also treated my mother like a queen, brought her flowers all the time and showered  her with gifts. She was spoiled by him and made to feel special. He always helped with the cleaning and cooking. He often made my sister and I breakfast too - toast with Vegemite. It always had a special taste when made by Dad ❤️️

In my situation, I introduced a stepfather to my three children at a young age - all under 9. He was a wonderful father figure to them; he taught the boys life skills and contributed to the household budget and tasks. He did this because he loved the kids and treated them as if they were his own. We then had a child together and he stepped up an extra level.

It was sometimes a hard thing for my other children to witness as their father was absent. He was not a father to them, he didn't know their friends, anything about their lives, what they were afraid of, what their favourite food, colour, toy etc was.

A father is there when the kids are sick. Caring for them, school drop offs, pick ups, school plays, speech nights, sports and report nights.

Being or becoming a father is not determined by the sperm donation that is made either purposely or as a mistake. Participation in the child's life and being there through the good times and the bad, and loving unconditionally, is what makes a father.

Happy Father's Day to all of the amazing Fathers out there 💙