What THIS Dad Wants Most for Father's Day

Add an "m" to one of the most popular father's day gifts of modern times and you'll have what this father values most from his kids. At the top of my of "most prized" Fathers Day gifts it's not a tie, it's not even close.

For this working father of three, the top gift is not spelled t-i-e, it's t-i-M-e.

I'm sure I'm not alone. In my informal conversations about Father's Day gift ideas with working dads in all kinds of jobs in TE one theme emerged. "I wish I had more time with my kids." Some qualified that by saying they wish they had more time that was't "rushed" with their children.

By way of perspective on the burning question of Father's Day gift preferences: I am a single working dad of three daughters (ages 11, 13, 16 who live with me). When they were younger I loved, and still do, getting anything handmade as a gift from them. The sketches, watercolors and finger painted artwork, drawings and clay sculptures are among my most treasured posessions. That's because of who made them and the looks on their faces as I opened those gifts. Hugs and kisses usually replaced Hallmark cards.  That is also something this dad considers priceless.

As my 13-year-old and I were talking this week about what I would like for Father's Day I found myself making a point to her that I had never spent  much time thinking about.  When pressed for why I just wanted to spend the day with her and her sisters rather to receive something purchased at a store it really hit me.

Time is most precious commodity we have with our kids. It's finite. Once it's gone, it's gone. No matter how hard you work, you can't get any more time. You can't buy time, which makes it affordable for any child to give.

Time is the number one ingredient in father/child memories. Without time together it's tough to make memories.

Fatherhood evolves without much warning, so make the most of your time.

That point was really driven home to me Saturday night by a fellow castmate in the current production of . As we changed back to street clothes at the end of the show and talked about plans for Father's Day he pointed out that this would be his first Father's Day without his dad who passed away in February. For him, this Father's Day will be a time to call on the memories created over 50+ years of not just Father's Days but of everydays. It sure brought our experience as dads into quick focus.

We both also have daughters in the show and it's one way to spend time with them sharing a mutual interest. For other dads that might be throwing a basesball, watching the U.S. Open on TV,  passing wrenches while talking under the hood of a car.

As my oldest goes off to work for most of this Father's Day in her first regular summer/part time job I won't have those hours with her.  It's the first time in her life that has happened and a sign that she is growing. That's ok. I count it as a big success for me too. I like to say that I already have kids and that I'm raising adults. This is a big milestone on her road to adulthood.  She loves being a 'working woman' and I take a lot of joy in listening to her talk about what she is learning and doing on the job. She also now has a better undersanding of why I've never been in a big hurry to give the girls money to go out an buy me a gift, but have always asked for things they make with their own hands.

Don't get me wrong: ties, tools and grilling gizmos are fine, but it really is the thought, and the time that counts.

How to get a Father's Day gift that is not sold in stores.

Kids: if you haven't gone out and purchased a gift yet, consider giving your dad some of your time this Father's Day. It's immpossible to buy, but not too hard to find. Turn off the TV (or sit down to watch something with your dad), tell your friends you'll text them tomorrow, turn off the car radio and have a conversation while driving with your dad, ask your dad to do something with you, or to show you how to do something no matter how small. If you're sincere, tell him how important he is to you. That goes for adult children too.  Start a conversation, ask him about when he was a kid, tell him about something that matters to you.

Sometimes in the rush of daily lives, we don't notice how fast time passes. It's never too late, until it's too late to make time for dads.

Happy Father's Day.

Kids: What are you giving your dad for Father's Day this year?

Dads: Tell us about the gift you'd like to receive this Father's Day

Share your ideas in the comments section at the bottom of this article.