Father's Day Gifts for the Absent Dad

Many fathers will be spending Father's Day this year away from their children. There are many reasons a father must be separated from his children on this special day. The war in Iraq has taken many fathers from their children, divorced dads may not have custody that weekend, and Child Protective Services (CPS) may have removed children from their father's care.

Father's Day for these children and fathers can be a bittersweet holiday. Children miss their dads and still want to show how much they love him. Fathers miss their kids and wish they could be together, not just on Father's Day but every day. If you are parenting or fostering a child or children who are separated from their dads this Father's Day, you can still help make this day special for both the children and their fathers.

Here are some gift ideas for the absent father in your life:

Framing Drawings
Very young children can draw a picture for their daddy. Mount and frame the pictures before sending to their father.

Framing Drawings for Military Dads
After the children have drawn their pictures, take a digital photo of each child's picture. Use your photo editing software to arrange all the photos on one page, and print on photo paper. This can be rolled and tied with a ribbon and rubber band for easy, compact shipping and storage.

Digital Photo Keychains
You can purchase a Digital Photo Keychain for under $20. Upload several pictures of the children, their art-work, and family photos into the keychain. Dad will love this gift, as he can take it with him everywhere and even add more pictures of his own. These keychains can hold up to 60 photos!

Silly Tie
Ties are almost a traditional Father's Day gift, and this tie can be the most special of them all! Have your child choose a silly tie to give Dad. There are many silly ties available, including ties with cartoon characters such as Sponge-bob, Scooby-Doo, Garfield, and lots more. When a father wears his special tie he will think of his children all day long!

Story on Tape
Children old enough to read can read one or two of their favorite stories to their dad. You can make an audio recording of the kids reading their stories and sending their love to their dad. Transfer the recording to a CD or audio cassette and send it off to Dad.

An important thing for moms and foster parents to remember is that Father's Day is not just a day for fathers; it is a day for kids to remember their dads and feel connected. If your child's dad is absent because of divorce or CPS, the children need to show their dads how much they love and miss him. This helps children feel better about themselves and feel connected to a dad that maybe isn't there for them like he should be.