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by Anita DiGregory

“A Tribute to Dads”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are over 72 million fathers across the country. This month, as we prepare to celebrate dads, their importance in society, communities, and families is palpable and unmistakable.

Recent research points to the importance of an engaged father in the development of his children.  According to Pennsylvania State University Sociologist Paul Amato, continued research points to “the father effect,” a term depicting the many positive effects that children with engaged fathers experience.  He adds, “Fathers and mothers are children’s most important teachers. Fathers might ask themselves, what are my children learning about life in general, about morality, about how family members should treat one another, about relationships from observing me every day?”

This sentiment seems to be shared by many. Former President George W. Bush, who himself is a father of two, stated, “By providing their sons and daughters with a positive example, fathers help give their children the necessary foundation they need to make wise decisions throughout their lives.”

Happy Father’s Day to all those dads out there working tirelessly and heroically for their families.  Although you may not own a red cape, you rise each day and fight the good fight. And, even though your days may be filled with traffic, board meetings, hard labor, dirty diapers, minimal sleep, and even teenage eye-rolling and attitudes, your dedication and commitment is making a positive difference…a difference you may not see now, but a life-altering difference. Thank you!  As a tribute, here are some words of wisdom from some famous TV dads.

 

Words of Wisdom from TV Dads

Philip Banks (The Fresh Prince of Bel Air)…“Before you criticize somebody, you find out what he’s all about.”

Ray Barone (Everybody Loves Raymond)…“Look, you want to know what marriage is really like? Fine. You wake up—she’s there. You come back from work—she’s there. You fall asleep—she’s there. You eat dinner—she’s there. You know? I mean, I know that sounds like a bad thing. But, it’s not. Not if it’s the right person.”

Mike Brady (The Brady Bunch)…“It may be the hip thing to call parents by their first names, but around here, we’re still Mom and Dad.” “Fighting isn’t the answer to anything. If it were, the biggest and the strongest would always be right. That doesn’t make any sense does it? Reasoning. Calm, cool reasoning. That’s a lot better than violence. And it’s the only sensible way to settle differences.” “Never open the front door without asking who it is.” “Money doesn’t grow on trees.”

Ward Cleaver (Leave It to Beaver)…“You are never too old to do goofy stuff.” “A thing is either right or it’s wrong. And if it is wrong in the first place…then it is still wrong no matter how many people do it.” “There’s nothing old-fashioned about politeness.”

Dan Connor (Roseanne)…“Someday, my precious angel, you will be a parent and you will realize that every day is Kid’s Day.”

Howard Cunningham (Happy Days)…“Richard, there is one thing that women like men to do. It’s what they call “a romantic gesture.” We men call it “eating crow.” ”Well, what can I say? Both of our children are married now, and they’re starting out to build lives of their own. And I guess when you reach a milestone like this you have to have to reflect back on, on what you’ve done and, and what you’ve accomplished. Marion and I have not climbed Mount Everest or written a great American novel. But we’ve had the joy of raising two wonderful kids, and watching them and their friends grow up into loving adults. And now, we’re gonna have the pleasure of watching them pass that love on to their children. And I guess no man or woman could ask for anything more.”

Charles Ingalls (Little House on the Prairie)…“Everybody wants to know that they are loved, or needed, or cared about.”

Jack Pearson (This Is Us)…“Sometimes they’ll make good decisions. Sometimes bad decisions. And every once in a while, they’re gonna do something that’s gonna knock us off our feet. Something that exceeds even our wildest dreams.” “The kids are gonna be fine. We’ve shown them a healthy marriage…We’re their parents, Bec, but at the end of the day, what happens to them, how they turn out, it’s bigger than us.”

Danny Tanner (Full House)…“Just remember, when children seem the least lovable, it means they need love the most.”

Andy Taylor (The Andy Griffith Show)…“You do the best you can and that’s all I’ll ever ask of you.” “It don’t take courage to be a winner. It DOES take courage to be a good loser. Now, you wanna be a good loser, you’ll be proud of your friends that DID win and you’ll congratulate ‘em for it.”

Tim Taylor (Home Improvement)…“We are enlightened men, and enlightened men share in the household responsibilities, right?” “(On helping with math homework)…why don’t they just call it the bottom number? The denominator… that sounds like a Schwarzenegger movie doesn’t it?”

Carl Winslow (Family Matters)…“When you make a mistake, you fess up to it. Trying to cover it up would only make it worse.”