Dad Jokes and Dad Advice
The best pearls of wisdom for your children
For millennia, thousands of ‘dad’ jokes have been met with the same eye roll and groan of disgust from children the world over. It is something that we fathers are notorious for; and proud of it! In fact there is even a Dad Jokes app (like we need help!). I discovered this app and enjoyed sharing these with my children when were in UK a few years ago. It really helped to share the time, and had us all cracking up in London cafes or while travelling. Here are a few beauties;
Hey I went to visit the air and space museum the other day. I was disappointed though. It was just an empty building.
Why do cows have bells? Because their horns don’t work.
Check it out - Dad Jokes App (Google Play)
One of my first research projects was on fathers use of humour, and I was pleased to find plenty of scientific evidence to support of this sanctioned role of ‘joke teller’ in society. Humour is a great diffuser of tension, lifter of moods, and way of bonding. But what about good advice? Aren’t dad’s also known for being sharers of wisdom?! For me, the role of teaching my children as their father is very important. I think that a father can provide good practical advice on many life situations. Sure, we need to learn to listen better, as that apparently is not one of our strengths. But I certainly won’t leave my children to learning about life from the internet. I remain determined to do my best to impart whatever I can, in hope that it might be listened to, or perhaps even be helpful.
I have been thinking a lot about this lately, as sometimes my own experience of imparting advice has been challenging. In an argument with my teenage daughter I was chastised for trying to be her ‘Psychologist’, to which I retorted ‘no I am not! I am just trying to be your dad”! With my oldest son I learned to prime him first by saying, “hey can I teach you something about that”? This seemed to help a lot, as he was then conditioned to the idea of just listening. He could chose then what he did with that information. I have found a good time to bring up a topic of conversation to discuss is when we are driving together in the car, especially just one-on-one – it’s a captive audience! Family meal times have also been a very opportune time to share some feelings that I have about particular topics.
I posted a message on facebook asking for people to share some of the great pieces of advice that they remember their dads or father figures sharing with them. Here are some of them;
Point the wheelbarrow where you'll be taking it before you fill it up - which was part of the broader advice to work smarter not harder.
If you never lie, you never have to remember what you have said.
If the quality is right, the price is forgotten.
A job isn’t just to be done, but to be done right.
If you can’t afford the car running costs ( petrol / insurance/ repairs) you can’t afford to buy one.
Stand up to bullies. They are cowards and will usually back down.
What you want and what you get are two different things.
Perhaps you might think of the good advice you have received from your dad. Maybe when you catch up with your dad next you could share your gratitude to him for a particular piece of advice that benefited you. Or better yet, why not ask for some advice. What a great gift to share with your dad – asking for him to share some wisdom that will benefit you, and he will feel a boost to his self-esteem knowing that he is of worth to you as your dad. If you feel one of your children, even adult children, could do with some helpful and well intentioned advice, perhaps try a permission seeking approach first like “can I offer something that might be helpful?” or “could you give me a few minutes of your time, there is something that I would like to share with you?”.
But to finish off, how about another classic dad joke?
What did the left eye say to the right eye?
Between you and me, something smells!
Best wishes.
James