Men’s issues: Fatherhood. Call for fathers to spend more time with kids, even when first home from work. A Son trying to buy an hour of his dad’s time.

The following is one of my favorites stories when it comes to getting the ‘dad’ thing right…

Pete came home from work last Monday, glad to be home, but as tired as usual. Just wanting to rest and read the paper for a minute or two before tackling the home front and listening to the kids chatter.

Just as he opened the door, his seven-year-old son, Mark, a serious first child, came up to him and asked,

“Dad, how much do you make an hour?” Pete snapped, “Mark, leave me alone with that kind of stuff, now.

I’m tired. Go play and we’ll talk about this later.” Mark persisted, “Dad, just tell me, how much do you make an hour?” Pete got his “out-or-patience tone” going and said,

“Why do you need to know that? Just go play and let me rest and read the paper, Mark. You know I’m always tired when I get home from work.”

Mark kept going, “Please, dad, just tell me how much you make an hour.” Pete snapped again, “Twenty dollars. Now can I read the paper?”

Mark lit up and asked, “Can I borrow ten dollars from you?” Pete thundered, “Of course not. Now leave me alone for a while, son.”

After he read part of the paper and felt more rested and relaxed, Pete started feeling guilty. He found Mark in the backyard, just sitting on the swing and looking pensive. Pete sat in the other swing and said, “Sorry I snapped at you, son. Here is the ten dollars you wanted.”

Mark lit up again. He reached in his pocket and pulled out a very crumbled ten dollar bill, then said,

“Now I have enough money. Dad, could I buy an hour of your time?”