I have two girls ages 6 and 4. And they love their daddy. Sure, mom is great and takes them out for ice cream and lets them watch Disney movies and helps them brush their hair and gives really awesome hugs. But daddy does that, too. 

And he does it better.

I should know. I’ve been told on more than one occasion. Need proof? Here’s 5 reasons daddy is the bee’s knees and mommy, well, isn’t. 

1. If my girls ask for something, and they ask me first (which means daddy wasn’t around or busy) and I say “no,” they simply act like they didn’t hear me and proceed to ask dad when he gets home.
2. The last work trip I attended took me away from home for two days. When I returned and walked through our front door, the 4-year-old ran up to me and gave me a great big hug (that I believe was encouraged by daddy, of course). The 6-year-old showed her multitasking skills by sitting on the couch, playing her Kindle games and giving me a sly “hello,” without looking up. 
3. For a school project, the 6-year-old was asked to draw a picture of family time in her home. It was a drawing of our family sitting around the kitchen table playing cards. On one side was daddy, on each side of him sat the 6 and 4 year old, and the final side was occupied by our family cat. Yes, the cat. Mom made the picture, too. On the side of the paper, down in the corner, on the couch. 
4. At bedtime if I attempt to sing a song that daddy sings (because they asked me too, of course) it ends badly. “Mom! Daddy doesn’t do it like that. You have to clap. Go faster. Slow down. You’re not singing right. Just sing your song.”  Duly noted, child. Duly noted. 
5. When the 4 of us go to church, a social outing, a restaurant, a movie, a concert, the grocery store, the park, the couch – both girls want to sit by daddy – within hands reach. When they realize one has to sit by mom, tears come rolling out. 

Sometimes, I want to look them straight in the eye and say, “Hey, girls. I’m right here. I can actually hear your words of disappointment and see the tears escaping from your eyes when you have to hang out with me. Could you wait and hold your disdain for mom until, I don’t know – I’m out of the room or something?”

I mean, do they know what their tiny little bodies did to my body? 

I fear they won’t grasp that one. 

Here’s to the moms that fall just a bit short of perfection to daddy. To the ones who went through hours of labor and nursing and potty training and teething and school work and adolescence. You’re amazing and I’m willing to bet very well loved, too. And even though you’re not quite the bee’s knees, you’re second. And second fills your heart with more love than you ever imagined. And if you have to be second, you’re pretty glad it’s with your number 1 fan. 

And 10 years from now, when these sweet little girls come crying to mom because daddy won’t let them out of the house to date boys, you’ll convince him to change his mind. You’ll convince him, because you know there are great guys out there. You know, because you found him. And he’s a prince in the eyes of two very special little girls.

And you hope and pray, someday when your girls have their own babies, they too will know exactly what it’s like to be second to the bee’s knees.