Wish me twice on Mother's Day

Yesterday was Father's Day. On Facebook and Twitter I saw messages wishing me and other single mothers a Happy Father's Day.

 I've decided to respond to those messages a day late because, while it is not my intent to offend those well - meaning wishers, I do want them to consider something. I am a single mother but I am my child's mother, not her father. She is fortunate to have her father in her life but even if he weren’t, I would never be her father.

Now let me clarify - I understand that it takes more than a donation of sperm to be called Father, in the same way that it requires more than expelling an infant from the birth canal to be called Mother, so when I use those terms I mean them in their best possible sense.

I think I understand the intent of the wishers. We all know and understand that being a single parent is not an ideal situation and that it often means that resources (emotional and material) are stretched. So I think the wishers want to acknowledge this. Clearly they also want to express their displeasure at "Deadbeat Dads" - men who either do not acknowledge their children or those who do not support them (emotionally and or materially).

While In in my life circle I know as many bad fathers as I do mothers - one of each - I am also aware that men not taking the requisite responsibility within their families, and the lives of their children is a growing societal problem. 

But when we decide to share the day, we simply undermine what we should be celebrating - Fatherhood. We negate the essential value of fathers in our society.

When we wish Mothers a Happy Father’s day, we pretty much make the job of Fatherhood redundant. Perhaps it’s little wonder that fewer men than we would like are stepping up to embrace this role.

So while I am grateful for the appreciation of the sometimes difficult life of a single mom, next year please don't wish me on Father's Day. If you really think I pull double duty, wish me twice on Mother's Day.