Celebrate Dads and Grads with Hallmark Canada! #LoveHallmarkCA #Giveaway

June is the month to celebrate Dads and Grads all across Canada. Apparently it's also the month my family comes down with a summer cold and hence the quietness of my blog lately. But let me make it up to you by sharing some amazing gifts Hallmark Canada has in store now for both occasions.

Father's Day is Sunday, June 21st this year.

Chris is an amazing Dad. He jumped right into fatherhood without ever looking back. He's the man in charge of bedtime and usually bath time too. And he's a great cook to boot. Hannah loves watching the Blue Jays with him and forever talks about their daddy-daughter trips to the Park.

Hallmark has a variety of gifts for the father figures in your life such as golf balls ($9.99 for set of 3), frames ($16.95), mugs ($14.95 each), and BBQ supplies.

Dad, The Babysitter?

It really annoys me when people use the term "babysitting" when a father looks after his own child(ren). As if to imply being a dad does not include the role of caregiver.

I am currently on mat leave, and joke that my daughter is the best boss I've ever had. When Chris gets home from work, the first thing he does is wash his subway hands, and if Hannah is awake, grabs her for a hug.  He is the "bath" man, he purees her food and never minds changing a dirty diaper if he's home to do so (although I am quite petty and offer them up if I am the first to notice the smell).

Is our relationship perfect? Of course not. But we feel comfortable letting the other person know if they aren't pulling their weight or if there are chores that need doing. We agree that parenting is a team sport and both of us need to strive for personal bests and share the puck (so to speak). (I always had great respect for single parents, and now that I have my own child that respect has rapidly grown into awe.)

I do not want my daughter to grow up in a home where she sees Mommy doing all the housework and child rearing while Daddy surfs the Internet or watches TV. I want to teach her that relationships are about equality and respect. I want to teach her about cooperation. I want her to realize that if she decides to start a family one day she deserves a partner in every sense of the word - someone who helps, supports and loves her the best they can.

And really, unless a father spends time taking care of their child, how are they to bond?

So the next time someone says, "Oh, daddy is babysitting tonight," I'll politely inquire as to how much his hourly wage is. If the rate is good, perhaps he can babysit my child too.

© 2012 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.