What Gift Should You Buy Your Dad? (Fathers Day 2019)

Everybody, this is Paul Krismer at the happiness experts company, and there’s a question I get every year around this time. My kids ask me, “What I want for Father’s Day?”

And you know, it’s the same for every gift-giving occasion. I really don’t know what to answer. I’m 50 years old, and I’ve accumulated a lifetime of stuff, of things. And the few things that I still kind of want are like ridiculous, extravagant luxury items that are way out of their price range.

So, how do you answer these boys, my two beautiful boys that I love? They’re amazing young men. How do I answer them? And of course, on the one hand, I want them to give me, you know, a yummy breakfast and maybe some $10 gift. But more than anything, I just want them to be their best selves.

And you know, I’ve taken a lot of pride in being a dad for those kids. I love them to bits, and they’re amazing young men. And it hasn’t always been easy. I remember especially when I separated from their mother. We all went through a pretty hard time, the boys included.

But more than anything, even through times like that and times outside of the hard times, I’ve tried to love them well. And in return, I’ve got these amazing, beautiful, responsible, kind young men. And all I could really want from them is to be their best selves.

My 20 year old, he’s just moving out from the house this month and to a two-bedroom suite he is renting with a buddy, and it’s wonderful. It’s how it should be, and yet on the same time or at the same time, it’s really kind of frustrating because the kid is the best version of himself that he’s ever been.

He cleans up after himself, he works out with me, we meditate in the mornings, he’s kind, responsible, friendly and easy to get along with. He’s a fantastic housemate and he wasn’t always that way for the prior 20 years. He’s always been a good kid but you know, he was growing up and learning.

And so now, right in the point when he’s best self as a housemate, he’s moving out. And I suppose that’s exactly as it should be. Our job as parents is to grow them and guide them as best we can, and hope that they become awesome versions of themselves. And when they’ve done that, when they’re really totally getting it in life and it’s time for them to leave, it’s a tragic bizarre kind of circumstance.

We grow these things, these young men & young women that we love so much. And when they’re ready, they leave us. And so be it. There’s my boy, leaving me, and they have given me this wonderful Father’s Day gift by both being just wonderful versions of themselves. And I’m sure they’ll just get better and better.

And for all of you that are listening and wondering what you should get for your dad for his Father’s Day gift, just be your best self. That’s all he ever wanted. That’s all he worked for. And all those years of parenting you was for you to be the best version that you can be. And remind him of that.

That’s your Father’s Day gift to him this year. I hope that makes some sense and resonates with you. Have a great time.

Talk to you later.

Bye for now.