This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Old Spice (P&G). The opinions and text are all mine. Please view my disclosure.

Those hard working dads need some recognition, and many need simple ways to connect with their kids. This list of ways dads can connect with kids is easy for any dad-even military dads and dads that travel for work-to be present and connect in meaningful ways. #sponsored

I do not know any dad who is interested in doing complicated Pinterest-projects with their kids, but I do know a lot of dads who want to be present and important in their child’s life.

Since my husband is a military guy, we often have to maintain our marriage and parenting partnership across the globe when he is away for work.

Marriage and parenting as a partnership takes a lot of time and work, sacrifice and patience. I am blessed as a military spouse to get the reminders of just how hard working my husband is when he is home with us. His absence is always a challenge.

Many of you may get this type of awakening if your husband travels for work or just has an erratic schedule. I wish my husband could be home all the time, but I know that every job has its challenges.

How dads can connect with kids becomes even more important for the dads who have to be gone a lot.

Since my husband’s return from his recent deployment, we have been fitting in a lot of family time. He has been participating in many ways to connect with the kids and help me. His presence is so important-dads matter.

As we approach Father’s Day, and really every day, it is important to recognize how our husbands are making a difference in our family’s life-they work, help, support-sometimes in ways we recognize, and all-too-often in ways we forget.

Dads may not be eager to do complicated projects with kids, but dads can connect with kids in simple, active ways that encourage our kids to learn new skills and work hard in all areas of their life.

How Dads Can Connect with Kids

Play outside

Whether it is running in the backyard, playing catch or driving toy trucks in the grass, dads can connect with kids by playing with them. My husband always manages to teach my kids some important lesson when they are playing together, and I think this is an area where dads really are needed. That face-to-face rough and tumble play is so good for kids and their dads.

Some dads may get bored just sitting and playing the pretend play activities, so they could challenge the kids to run a certain number of laps in the backyard or jump as high as they can with him. Playing outdoors is always fun.

Go for a run

My oldest is really interested in running and my husband has to run to stay in shape for his military career. I think the two are a perfect running pair. Many military dads take their kids out with them for a run. It is amazing how much energy kids have-and how far they can run-so the running experience is more challenging and fun. Plus, the kids get a great reinforcement for getting out and getting exercise: time with their dad. (You can even enter your favorite dad for a chance to win participation in a Tough Mudder event below!)

Go on a hike

We have a great nature preserve near our house, so one Saturday we all went out to hike the trails. My husband was the leader of our pack and the kids really enjoyed the discovery of nature along the way.

nature hike how dads can connect with kids old spice hardest working collection

Hiking reinforces the importance of outdoor activity and exercise as well as an appreciation for nature. We had a great time together, and I know the kids enjoyed that Daddy was with us.

Those hard working dads need some recognition, and many need simple ways to connect with their kids. This list of ways dads can connect with kids is easy for any dad-even military dads and dads that travel for work-to be present and connect in meaningful ways. #sponsored

Read books

This is a quiet activity, but there is nothing better (in my opinion) than seeing the twins curled up on their dad’s lap reading a book with him. Our older two do not seem to want this time of connection as much as they learn to read on their own, but the younger two are still eager for lap time. It is such an important connection that reinforces a love of reading thanks to physical touch.

Give Simple Gifts

When my husband deploys, I always send him artwork that the kids make. It is a tangible gift from them to him. This last deployment my husband brought home all the drawings the kids made for him, and we put them in a folder to keep as a scrapbook. The kids loved looking back at their work, and it reinforced that Daddy had been thinking about them and appreciating them while he was away. It is connection even when they cannot be together in person.

Since Father’s Day is so close, we wanted to add some extra gifts to make my husband feel special. He is an Old Spice Hardest Working Dad-in my opinion-from the sacrifice and service he puts into his job in the Marine Corps, to how he has grown into a better dad every day. We wanted him to feel special.

Gift ideas for dads: Old Spice Hardest Working Collection #sponsored

Moms often get great gear for taking care of themselves, but dads deserve to be reminded that their time is important too. Old Spice is offering this great Dad grooming gear tool box for these Hardest Working Men. (You can enter to win one tomorrow!) There are some great gifts for dad included.

For a husband like mine, who runs regularly for work purposes, and hikes with the kids, or plays with them outside, he needs a great product to stay comfortable. He doesn’t want to stink just as he gets a moment to spend quality time with the kids.

Gift ideas for dads: Old Spice Hardest Working Collection #sponsored

The Old Spice Hardest Working Collection kept him smelling great even after our hike in the nature preserve. In fact, he went for a run the next day, and asked how he smelled when he got back. He smelled like he had just showered even though he was sweaty from a run! The Old Spice Hardest Working Collection has proven itself.

You can test this out yourself and Old Spice will prove it keeps the hard working guys smelling great. Old Spice is even offering a money-back guarantee. Grab a coupon here.

Gift ideas for dads: Old Spice Hardest Working Collection #sponsored

The Hardest Working Collection gives dads the utmost level of odor and sweat protection without drying out their skin. My husband has been happy with his gear (especially the awesome metal tool box) to take care of himself in small ways. That is a gift dads need to get.

Give dad some me time

Being a stay-at-home mom, my husband is the only one of us gone all day. He has stresses from his job, and his commute is a bit of a break, but I think dads need some me time too. When dads can get a few moments right after they get home from work to grab a shower, or watch the news for a bit, it makes them more ready to spend time with the kids when you need them.

Gift ideas for dads: Old Spice Hardest Working Collection #sponsored

When they get to spend a little time caring for themselves in those moments, they will be recharged and ready to connect with you and the kids. (Another reason to get one of the Old Spice Tool Box gift sets for your hardest working husband!)

Watch the kids to give mom a break

Is this a selfish idea? We all need a break now and then-some moms can fit in their me time every day, others cannot, but either way, when dad watches the kids so we can shower, make dinner alone, go out for dinner with friends, or (ahem) go away for the weekend to get a real break, dads can connect with kids on an important level.

Dads can connect with kids by reading them books while you grab a shower, or playing with the kids in the backyard while you go on a run/walk, or work through an exercise video. It is still quality time he gets with the kids-and that is important.

Spend time on marriage

We do not go out on date nights nearly as much as we’d like. We just don’t have a babysitter. When the grandparents are in town, we take advantage and get our time out. Other times, we make sure to spend a couple of hours together after the kids go to sleep. We get time to talk together about parenting and things our kids may need to work on or are doing well. When my husband hears about things that happened during the day, it helps him think about how he can best support the kids when he is home. It is how we create a parenting partnership.

Our time together after the kids go to bed is me time-for my husband and me. We may not be spending it alone, but it counts as time to recharge. I like that we have always made this a priority, and it does help both of us get that break from the kids, work on our marriage and multi-task our me time into the mix. Dads can connect with kids when they have time to rest and recharge too.

Stop back tomorrow to enter for a chance to win an Old Spice Hardest Working Collection Toolbox for your Hardest Working Man.

 

How does your husband connect with the kids?

Those hard working dads need some recognition, and many need simple ways to connect with their kids. This list of ways dads can connect with kids is easy for any dad-even military dads and dads that travel for work-to be present and connect in meaningful ways. #sponsored

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Old Spice (P&G). The opinions and text are all mine.