Dad Jokes...

What do you call a bear without teeth? 

A gummy bear!

Who doesn’t love a good (or bad) Dad joke? The Dads and father figures in our lives can bring us such levity and comfort, with love that’s simple and consistent, much like a goofy Dad joke. At A Haven, we love to laugh and find moments of silliness and joy with our families, even when they are in the midst of challenging and painful times. 

As Father’s Day approaches this weekend, we know that many families will spend the day grieving Dads and father figures who have died. We know that images on social media of families celebrating together and Father’s Day ads on television can be hard to see. 

We encourage you and your family to seek out moments of lightness and joy this weekend in honor of a Dad you have loved and lost, or in honor of a fatherly relationship that you wished for but never got to have. Is there something that your children loved to do with their Dad? Something that you loved to do with your own Dad that your children have never experienced? Offer them the chance to go out and do those things...be open to the possibility that it might instead feel painful for them. If that is the case, this can be a chance for your family to create new traditions. What other moment of silliness or fun might feel better for you all? Maybe you will come up with something unique to look forward to doing together each year. Is there a tradition you had hoped to start but never got around to? A campground you’ve had your eye on but never been to? An art project you can work on together and expand upon each year?

Whatever you decide to do, we hope that you find moments to smile and laugh together. Channel your inner Dad and make your kids groan or roll their eyes with a goofy Dad joke, knowing that that spirit of lighthearted love lives right within each of you. 

At A Haven, we will be thinking of the families we know who are grieving this weekend, and celebrating the wonderful Dads we have had the opportunity to meet. 

Knock, knock. 

Who’s there?

A Haven. Always.

Written by: Kate Lannan, Community Services Director