Being a dad is the most important thing I’ll ever do in my life. I love my four-year-old daughter with all my heart, and I receive more joy from being with her than anything else I do.
With Father’s Day this Sunday, let’s take a moment to thank all the involved fathers out there in the world. You’re making a big difference in the lives of children, and you make the world a better place.
In the United States, more than 18 million children – or one in four children – live without a biological, step, or adoptive father in their home (or homes for shared custody divorced dads), according to the Census Bureau. For this 25 percent of children, they are twice as likely to drop out of school and more likely to commit a crime, abuse drugs or alcohol or end up living in poverty as an adult. Furthermore, 63 percent of youth suicides are from fatherless homes and 90 percent of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes.
But just living in a home with a dad isn’t enough. Being a good dad means spending quality time with your kids.
Here in Carmel, we have numerous things to do with your kids on a daily basis, many of which are free.
Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation boasts more than 700 acres of land throughout Carmel, including 20 parks and greenways. My daughter and I love going to the playgrounds at Central Park, Founders Park, River Heritage Park, Carey Grove Park, West Park, Meadowlark Park and more. In the summer months, kids love playing in the playground splash pads or swimming at the Monon Community Center Waterpark. You could also take a nature walk with your kids or play basketball or pickleball at public courts. Find out more at carmelclayparks.com.
The City of Carmel hosts numerous free events you can take your children to, including free outdoor movies at Midtown Plaza on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Gazebo concerts on Wednesdays and gallery walks in the Carmel Arts & Design District on the second Saturday of each month. For a complete annual calendar, visit carmel.in.gov/our-city/experience/events-and-festivals.
You could pop into the Carmel Clay Public Library to grab some books or movies. Find out about their events and activities at carmelclaylibrary.org.
Many of Carmel’s restaurants are kid-friendly too and it’s not hard to have a great time grabbing a bite at Sun King and then letting the kids play on the AstroTurf at Midtown Plaza on a sunny day.
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there. I hope you have fun spending time with your children and grandchildren, enjoying all the amenities and events in Carmel.
Adam Aasen is a City Councilor representing Carmel’s Southeast District.