After becoming a parent nearly 17 years ago, I’ve lived through two nerve-racking “first” days. One happened as I brought my newborn girl home, set her car seat down on the kitchen floor, and wondered what lay ahead. The other was sending her off to her first day of kindergarten, worrying whether the teachers understood I was leaving my little girl with them. I’m about to experience another frightening first day. This fall, my daughter begins 12th grade. Knowing that this means our time together is growing short, I’m determined to make the most of this coming year.
Whether they are in second grade or their senior year, your kids need you to spend deliberate, meaningful time with them. When a dad invests his time and creativity in his children, it can change that kid’s whole world. Your kids will grow up in the security of their father’s love reinforced by the time and the memories you’ve shared together. The coming school year is a great opportunity to do something amazing with your children. Here are 11 ways to make the school year special for our kids (whatever grade they might be in).
August
Start the year off strong by joining your school’s All Pro Dad chapter (or start one)! The monthly gatherings of an All Pro Dad chapter will offer you and your kids a chance to find support and community around a character-based curriculum.
When a dad invests his time and creativity in his children, it can change that kid’s whole world.September
Take your kid to a thrift store, and give yourself and him 10 or 20 dollars. See who can put together the best or most outrageous outfit using only the money you’ve given. For bonus points, go out for dinner and wear whatever you bought!
October
When the fall colors are just right, take a couple cameras or phones and head outside with your child. Spend an afternoon taking pictures together in some of the most beautiful locations in your neighborhood. Use an online service to print the pictures into a book to give her as a gift at Christmastime.
November
Search for the local hotel with the best pool and book a night or weekend there with your kid. Watch a movie, have pizza delivered, get into the pool, and enjoy a little staycation while the weather is getting colder.
December
Spend time giving together. Find out what groups in your community deliver food and/or gifts to those in need. Spend a Saturday or two volunteering with her to make sure others’ Christmases will be as good as yours.
January
Using your phone camera, film an interview with your kid. Ask him about anything: how school is, who his friends are, what he wants to be when he grows up. Considering making it a yearly tradition, like this dad did, and turn it into something you can both treasure as he grows up:
February
You don’t need a holiday to tell your child you love her. Write and give her a love note every day this month to reinforce how precious she is to you.
March
Search up an interesting community attraction a couple hours from your home that you’ve never seen before. Head out on a spring break road trip and (if your kid is old enough) let him do some of the driving. If he’s not, teach him to navigate using an old-school map.
April
There are spring dances on the horizon! Take a couple of ballroom dance lessons with your child before she goes to the next school dance, family wedding, or her prom.
May
Spend a day unplugged together on a campout with your kid. You could do it outside (at a campsite or in the back yard) or even set up camp in your living room. Just make sure you replace cell phones, video games, and Wi-Fi with hot chocolate, marshmallows, and ghost stories.
June
Celebrate your child’s successes this year. You might host a backyard fire or head out to a fancy restaurant for a nice dinner. Whatever you do, spend the evening reviewing the things you’ve shared together and planning a new list for next year.
Sound off: What’s another way to make the school year special?
Huddle up with your kids and ask, “What is something special you’d like to do with me this school year?”