Here's where you hand me my soapbox. In 9 years of elementary school, my children have never attended. Why? Because my husband works and we have no one else. Could I go? Sure, but it's not the same. Guess what? Life isn't fair. Some people's parents have to work. Some people's dads are deadbeats. Some people's father's have passed away. The thing is, you need to get through it and deal with your feelings. They are also changing the name of the Father-Daughter Dance to "Me and My Guy". Here's where I could get offended by this. In years past, there have been a few close calls where my husband almost didn't make it from work. I had already lined up other friends' dads for Sunshine to go with. Changing the name to "Me and My Guy" puts more possession on the "date". Going with someone else's dad is hard enough, but then calling him "my guy", makes it even worse. Then let's add to it that the rules clearly state that the "my guy" has to be over 18. So, that means if something were to happen, Monster couldn't even take Sunshine to the dance. What I'm getting at is that no matter what it is, you will always find someisn't happy with
one who My brother-in-law passed away this summer leaving his two girls behind. They will not get a father-daughter dance at their wedding. Their father will not walk them down the aisle. It is a fact they have to live with. Do we demand the entire system change and have it no longer be tradition that the father of the bride walks them down the aisle? No. Because people overcome it. Does it suck? 100%, but people do it every day.
To make a fuss about the wording of events is just making the coming generations not have to deal with their emotions or feelings. The truth of the matter is, we can't shield our children from everything. Life happens and we have to teach our children how to cope. Changing the title of "Donuts with Dads" doesn't make kids feel any better if they don't have a dad present. They live every day knowing their dad isn't there. The name doesn't "make it hurt a little less". Kids aren't stupid. They look around and they see all of the dads there. The thing is, if you've taught them good coping mechanisms, they can look around at all the dads there, be sad, but still be thankful they are there with their uncle, grandpa, neighbor, etc.