My husband often takes a backseat role on this blog, but it certainly isn’t because he takes a backseat role in our family. I don’t write about him as much, in part because much of what I do here is an exploration of my own processes and feelings, and in part because recounting the silly things a child says or does is not quite as cute when done to a spouse. I try to protect his privacy a bit, even though there have been moments that I just couldn’t resist sharing. (Ahem, 3-D Chuck glasses.) 
As I was talking to the kids about what to do for Mark for Father’s Day, we had the idea of writing a blog post about him. The kids are just beginning to understand the nature of this whole blogging thing, and for the time being all of them are very enthusiastic about me telling their stories online. In fact, they are often giving me ideas for things that I could write about them. “Mom, you should blog this!” “Take a picture of this for your blog!” So they loved the idea of answering questions about Mark in a post that we would keep as a surprise. This weekend, we sat down and they each answered some questions about their dad, and I thought for fun that I would do the same.
India:
What do you love most about Daddy? He takes me places, like to tennis and Wahoos. What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy? Hug him. What do you do that makes Daddy happy? When I make new friends and when I try new foods. What does Daddy do that makes you know he loves you? When he hugs me. What is Daddy’s job? Um, going to work? He goes on his computer. What do you want other people to know about your Daddy? He loves me very much.
Kembe:
What do you love most about Daddy? Hugging him and eating breakfast with him What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy? Play tennis and help him with the garden What do you do that makes Daddy happy? Doing work for him, like cleaning the backyard What does Daddy do that makes you know he loves you? Hugging What is Daddy’s job? To do work. He works. A lot of talking and saying so many things. What do you want the other people to know about your Daddy? He’s nice.
Karis
What do you love most about Daddy? Presents What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy? If I give a Daddy dolly to him What do you do that makes Daddy happy? I would get him a boy Barbie What does Daddy do that makes you know he loves you? He hugs me. What is Daddy’s job? Um, going to work? Playing on the computer What do you want other people to know about your Daddy? I don’t know.
Jafta
What do you love most about Daddy? When he lets me watch Star Wars What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy? Going to play tennis What do you do that makes Daddy happy? Help him clean up, take the compost to the compost bin What does Daddy do that makes you know he loves you? He tells me What is Daddy’s job? Working. Counseling. A counselor helps people understand. They ask questions and you answer them. What do you want other people to know about your Daddy? He loves everybody
These responses make me laugh. With the exception of Jafta, it seems none of the kids have a clue about what Mark does for a living. That’s the difficulty of psychotherapy – there is no “take your child to work” day, and it’s just abstract enough that it’s hard to explain to a child. I also love that Karis’s idea of what Mark would like involves dolls and Barbies. Hello projection. Alright, my turn: What do you love most about Mark as a dad? I love how present he is with the kids. When he’s home he is very much interested in having fun with them. He loves to take them places, from Disneyland to hikes to the tennis court. He is active and involved. I never feel like he is “babysitting”. He is a co-parent in every sense of the word. What is your favorite thing to do with Mark and the kids? I love going to the beach as a family, especially with our new canoe. I doubted this purchase, but Mark was totally right It really has been a great investment for family time. 
What do you do that makes Mark happy? [edited for content] What does Mark do that makes you know he loves your family? Mark prioritizes his work schedule so that he can be with us as much as possible. He works hard, but he is very good with boundaries and making sure that he’s home and engaged. He definitely puts family first. What is Mark’s job? Mark is a marriage and family therapist. What do you want other people to know about Mark? He is an incredible father and husband. I got a good one. This post was sponsored by P&G. P&G’s Thank You Mom campaign postulates that being a mom is the hardest and most important job in the world . . . and this week, they want to honor the dads as well! In honor of Father’s Day P&G wants to hear about what makes your husbands or dads so special, You can write your own public tribute to the dads in your life on their Facebook page.. 
