First-grade students in Judy Bercury's class at Craneville School in Dalton have a message for fathers.
"When I was a kid, I used to imagine animals running under my bed. I told my dad, and he solved the problem quickly. He cut the legs off the bed."
- Lou Brock
Dads have traditionally been the "fixers." From the broken toaster to monsters in the closet, dads have always known just what to do to make everything right.
With Father's Day rapidly approaching, I thought dads might like to know just how significant a role they actually play in their children's lives and how little escapes their children's notice. In Dalton and Hinsdale, with great help from Craneville's first and second graders, Kittredge's kindergarteners and Kathy's Corner Daycare kids, along with their teachers and caregivers, Kathy Cormier, Judy Bercury, Suzanne Drury, Patricia Geller, Marge Morrison, Marcia Koperniak, Amy Abramovich, and Christine Verge, I found a few answers.
Do not let those glazed eyes and vacant expressions fool you: Kids are watching more than television and computer screens. When asked the questions, "What does your dad know best?" and "What has your dad taught you?" children had the following written answers - some original, some comical and some thought provoking (particularly regarding phonetic spelling) - and some Mom might not like to know:
What does your dad know best?
"How to do cartweels in the Fourth of July praed." - Jamie D.
"How to let off fireworks. Last summer, he let off all the fireworks." - Dylan S.
"How to whistle." - Samantha G.
"All about me." - Abby D.
"How to work best." - Angel.
"How to cownt to 100." Sydney S.
"How not to watch a lot of TV and to catch bugs like buterflys and worms. He knows how to keep me cumpny." - William O.
"How to make money at Cranes. He makes the dollars." - Brenna V.
"To cepe me shafh." (keep me safe) - Jeffrey V.
Bridget L. said she and her sisters were very proud of their father because, "Dad knows best how to open the pool on a hot hot day."
Possibly much to their mothers' surprise, it seems many dads know how to cook best, according to the children. For example, they know how to make "omlits" and "brakfist."
They also know a little bit about automobiles, such as:
"How to make a car." - William L.
"How to fix cars in one minute because he has lots of practice." - Michael S.
"How to drive a jeep and not do a sped lemet." - Joseph E.
Allie G. said her dad knows best "that wen I had to bye a rake for mother's day, my dad new where it was." (Note to Allie's dad: We know you'll love the new frying pan Allie's mom is planning to buy you this Father's Day.)
Taylor F. from Mrs. Bercury's class summed the whole question up for many, however:
"How to love me; how to take care of me and how to remember."
What is the most important thing your dad taught you?
"Stay away from the concrete." - Dalton, whose father is in the concrete business.
"Never talk to strayders and never go with strayders." -Jamie D.
"Everything I am now." - Nicholas.
"My dad taught me how to ski. He helps me up when I fall and he tells me to keep trying. Now I know how to ski." - Caitlin M.
"My dad taught me to be a good soccer player. But I still have prablms with my left foot. But I love him." - Katherine L.
"My dad has taught me how to play badmitten because I aked him to. That is whe I think he is a great Dad. And I love him very much." - Bethany H.
"My dad taught me to climb trees." Connor V.
"My dad taught me never say swear words and never move a video camra fast and never play with a scorpion."- Brandon R.
"My dad taught me how to say: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and his name is Scot."- Jocelyn L.
"To try new food like sooshy." Allie G.
"Not to pick up snakes. - Kaylena.
"How to tel the trooth and do a hand stand." - Sean K.
"My dad taught me a lot of songs like 'Country Road' and 'Imagine.' He taught me what was right and wrong. My dad gives me good advice." - Tiffany R.
"How to count money." - William.
"The chores have to get done or my mom yells." - Mike.
So, yes, dads, your kids probably do realize you haven't bought stock in the electric company, you have no desire to heat the outdoors and money doesn't grow on trees. They all no doubt appreciate that you taught them how to ride a bike, throw a ball, read a book, tie their shoes, use a fork, bait a hook, swing, share, "not to be scard of the dark" and "not to throw stuff."
And they really are listening, paying attention and, especially, watching you.
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