Co-Parenting: Celebrating Father’s Day

In most cases, when the Court adopts a holiday schedule the Court includes both Mother’s and Father’s Day. This is considered a celebration of the child’s parent. Although many parents are not best friends when their relationship ends, parents need to understand that they share a child and portraying to the child a friendly relationship with lead to long-term emotional health. As such, sending a small gift from the child for Father’s Day shows acts of fostering and encouraging the relationship between the parent and the children.

We’ve put together two (2) craft options that are minimal in price, under $15.00.

OPTION ONE- Painted Rocks

Supplies-

1. Painting Rocks (purchase through Amazon or avoid expense by picking them up);
2. Paint Brushes (purchase through Amazon or Dollar Tree);
3. Paint (purchase through Amazon or Michael’s) and pick colors based upon what is going to be painted;
4. Paint Pen (purchase at Michael’s only if going to write something on the rocks);
5. Clear Nail Polish (purchase through Amazon or Dollar Tree);
6. Table Cloth (purchase at Dollar Tree) or old newspaper;
7. Weight cup or glass; and
8. Paper plates.

Steps to Complete-

1. Wash and dry the rocks the night before you intend to paint.
2. Cover the surface where the painting is going to occur with old newspaper or a plastic table cloth you pick up when you’re gathering the supplies.
3. Set up paper plates for the number of children participating. Put the needed paint colors on the paper plate, about the size of a quarter.
4. Set up a couple cups, heavy enough not to spill, near the paint.
5. Allow the children to paint pictures or sayings on the rocks, make they are appropriate.
6. Let the painted rocks dry overnight, and then the next day paint the rocks with clear nail polish.

OPTION TWO- Canvas Fish

Supplies-

1. Canvas (buy a single canvas purchased through Michael’s);
2. Paint Brushes (purchase through Amazon or Dollar Tree);
3. Paint (purchase through Amazon or Michael’s) and pick colors based upon what is going to be painted;
4. Paint Pen (purchase at Michael’s only if going to write something on the rocks);
5. Table Cloth (purchase at Dollar Tree).

Steps to Complete-

1. Cover the surface where the painting is going to occur with old newspaper or a plastic table cloth you pick up when you’re gathering the supplies.
2. Set up paper plates for the number of children participating. Put the needed paint colors on the paper plate, about the size of a quarter.
3. Set up a couple cups, heavy enough not to spill, near the paint.
4. Lightly wet a paper towel and brush it on the canvas, it should not be wet. Lightly paint the canvas with blues to mimic the color of water.
5. Pick colors that are similar to fish- use non-toxic pain to paint the child’s hand. Once painted, place the hand near the bottom of the canvas, push the children’s fingers together with only a little space between the fingers to look like fish. Paint the hand again, with the same color or complimentary colors, and redo the process until there are a few fish.
6. Allow the canvas to dry, then add eyes and mouths to the fish. Finally, have the child paint their name and date of birth on the back of the canvas on the wooden portion.
7. Optional- You can put sayings you find on the internet on the canvas for the children.

While picking up supplies, buy an inexpensive frame and while completing the craft document with photographs. Place a photo of the child, no one else needs to be in the photo, into the frame and send it with the craft.