my parents got a divorce after almost 30 years, in december 2006. My dad has been mopey, depressed- listening to a bunch of sad love songs...all that fun stuff. He's been going out on a lot of dates and spending a lot of money. When I asked him what he wanted (it's also his 50th birthday) he rambled off air supply cd's and such (aka sappy love songs) and I don't know if I should go ahead and get it for him and possibly worsen his condition or if i should not get it for him- get him something else and not contribute to the pain. and if i should get him something else- what should i get?
2007-06-11 04:12:59 · 9 answers · asked by ilpbab 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
You don't need to take care of your dad in this. Its normal to grieve after such a long marriage, you have to understand its all he has known most of his adult life. Men in their 50's get increasingly sappy, but that's ok. How about giving him gift certificates to several things that he can choose what he wants to do. Something for the music cd's, but a restaurant or sports event too. Maybe miniture golf, bucket of balls at a driving range, or cost of a shooting range, or ski range. Its not always a bad thing to pamper men too, give him a gift certificate for a massage and facial, and then take him to the place to make sure he goes. Give him a cooking class, a manicure or an adult education class in something he's interested in.
Most of all, stop feeling sorry for your dad. Something got him into the situation he's in, and the best thing for him is to not allow him to wallow.
2007-06-11 04:31:03 · answer #1 · answered by tjnstlouismo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Here's something creative that will be appreciated and you will have fun doing:
Make up a crossword puzzle and have all the hints be personal inside moments and jokes that only you two would know about. Put it on a poster board and add some clipart and some pictures to it!
The crossword puzzle could be time consuming and a bit frustrating ... you could do the same idea with a WORDSEARCH or WORDFIND puzzle.
Put your computer skills to work! Use Excel, get clipart from Yahoo Images Search, copy them, and reformat them, use a gluestick to put on posterboard.
Use graph paper, and pictures from magazines if you are not as good on the computer, and it will give it a homemade feeling.
This is a really beautiful poem too!
The things you taught me I will always know.
How could I not? The roots have sunk so deep:
All lessons of the heart that I will keep
No matter who I am or where I go.
Kids learn from what their parents are, and so
You are my book of life, the thoughts I reap;
From you I learned the rules of right and wrong
Against which I at times had to rebel,
Though with regret I carry with me still.
How lucky I am to have been loved so well,
Even as I pushed against your will,
Relying on a father fair and strong.
-Author Anonymous
2007-06-12 13:12:10 · answer #2 · answered by Reserved 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey, you know there is one thing you could do to get his mind off things, and it will work every time. Buy him a game, you know one that goes on the computer or hooks to the TV. There are these Porto games at walmart that you plug into the TV and it has games such as he probably played when he was a boy like PAC man. Or a model car to put together something that would be challenging to him, and better yet something that the both of you could do together. Hope it helps
2007-06-11 11:19:16 · answer #3 · answered by catira1953 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How about the gift of time? your time? take him to a movie. definately not a romatic comedy, though. go for lunch or dinner or just ice cream. these things will mean more that any purchased gift.
If you feel you have to "buy" him something then I'm with Chuck on this one. Home Depot gift card.
2007-06-11 11:24:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
why not take him out for the day? he sounds like he could use it. get him away from the stereo and the sadness. go fishing, to a car show,a movie,the lake, downtown. anything to get his mind off things.
2007-06-11 12:22:02 · answer #5 · answered by racer 51 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get him a Home Depot gift card , that way he can do some work around the house....
2007-06-11 11:16:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cash....Lol
just kidding
ummm tickets for his favorite sport
2007-06-11 11:19:54 · answer #7 · answered by Nicole E 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A pEt
2007-06-11 11:15:50 · answer #8 · answered by Tyler 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
go to best buy.............problem solved haven't you seen the commercials
2007-06-11 11:16:33 · answer #9 · answered by Tommy D 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋