Amen to that! Even when I was married, and had to attend the Mother’s Day teas hosted by the kindergarten class, I hated how many of the kids did not have their mothers there. Their mothers had to work, and could not take the time off from work. Why not just host a day for Grown-Ups Special to Us, and leave it at that?

While I think a “Parent’s Day” is a great idea, per se, let us not forget that the father, or sperm donor as some may refer to them, does not have to be the only male influence possible in a child’s life! My father has always been there for me, and now as a single Mom, he is here for my kids. though not in a fathering role, but I would certainly expect if such an occasion would arise for my children when they become school aged, he would attend if I don’t already have a significant other by then.
Case in point: my older sister is happily married with 3 kids. her 2nd grade daughter was facing a “Daddy/Daughter Tea” at school, but since her Dad travels 5 days out of the week for work there was no way he could make the occasion. She was sad and disappointed, but all that melted away when my Father, her Grandfather was asked if he could come instead. She was delighted and it was a perfect opportunity for them to have some special time together.
Now I know we don’t all have parents available to fill that void, but what about brothers, uncles, family friends the child trusts and loves?
Family is so much more than who is bioligically directly responsible for bringing a child into the world, and I think our society today pushes our perceptions of that notion in every way.
Bottom line, the child may not have an active biological father (or mother for that fact) in their life, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t someone else who wouldn’t be equally delighted to show their love and support for your child during a special occasion such as a school event.

BlueBella, thank you for this. Family does come in many forms.

As you probably know, my dad has taken on the same role… and there is a Grandparents/Special Friends Day at Mae’s school.

Kelly, here’s to Special Friends Day!

I agree with BlueBella that families of all kids should be celebrated, however I don’t necessarily agree that we should change our lexicon to more generalized labels for events. I’m a mom to a beautiful kindergarten girl and a partner to a wonderful woman. Every year we are asked by teachers how best to handle Father’s Day activities. This year her teacher offered to call it “Parent’s Day”. We said thank you but no…I don’t feel it’s right to exclude, but I also don’t feel it’s right to deny someone else their experience just to fit my situation. We’ve always encouraged our daughter to create presents on these days for her grandfathers, uncles, etc. She understands that she doesn’t have a father, but that her “papa” is a father and should be honored too.

I firmly believe there is a way to show inclusion for all and still show respect for time honored traditions.

Back when my daughter was in elementary school, they had an event called Donuts for Dads (also, Muffins for Moms on a different day), during which they would have breakfast and read together. Two things I liked about how they handled this - they made it a separate event that you signed up and then went to the cafeteria for (so no sad kids being left out in the corner), and they specified on the flyer to bring “a male family member”. So yeah, they called it Donuts for Dads, but welcomed uncles, grandpas, etc. My daughter brought different family men to each one.

When she was smaller, they used to make things for their dads for Father’s Day. I’d get pretty annoyed when the thing they decorated came pre-printed with “dad” on it, because otherwise she could have just made it for her grandpa (or my boyfriend back when we lived with him).

So I don’t really mind father’s day activities, as long as they make it so it can include other male family members, and in the case of kids who don’t have that either, they should find a way to include them too (maybe they can make something for their mom, who is really both father and mother anyway).