I don’t talk about him here much, but it’s not for lack of caring. Did you know my husband is a drill sergeant? No, not really, but here at home in the late afternoon can turns into one.

“Let’s go! Time for a family workout!”

My husband barks the words and the kids go running. Grabbing their shoes and bounding after him into the garage and out in the front yard.

The “family” in family workout doesn’t always include me. I mean, I feel bad missing out most some days, but really, I’m just letting the kids have their special time with their daddy.

As young newlyweds my husband and I would talk of the kids we’d have some day. Ok, I did most of the talking. He’d smile and nod.

I’d share visions of matching family outfits and future family vacations and make him promise to coach our future children’s future sports teams.

Years later we had our daughter. She’s watched him workout at home and has been included in the process her entire life. From runs around the block while he pushed her in the stroller, to practicing back squats, front squats, pull-ups and box jumps together. Now both of our kids get in on the action.

“What do you think we should do for Daddy for Father’s Day?” I asked my daughter yesterday afternoon.

“Oh I know!” She said almost immediately. “We can get some tickets to see a BYU football game. Like be in the audience.”

“That’s a great idea!” I told her. Actually it was a fantastic idea. She knows him even better than I realized, and will definitely be my go-to for ideas from now on.

I’ll also get him a couple of new gym accessories for the garage.–His man cave that’s turned clubhouse for him and the kids. The bumper plates he uses for lifting weights turn into a mini box jump platform for the kids.

The medicine ball he uses for squats turns into a sort of tire-roll for our son. My husband also got a smaller medicine ball for the kids to use with him.

A few people have asked what workouts he does with them and what equipment they use. I’ve told him I’d hire him as the children’s fitness contributor for my blog, but so far he’s denied my offer. I’ll keep working on it though, don’t worry.

We still have a couple weeks to go before Father’s Day and I tend to procrastinate so it’s all good. Sears.com/DestinationDad has a ton of gym equipment, fast shipping and in-vehicle pickup so there’s still plenty of time to get that stuff ready. And we may surprise him with a shopping spree during their sale in a couple days. The BYU Football tickets on the other hand will take a little more legwork.

I love that my husband’s tradition of working out with the kids is strengthening not only their little bodies and minds, but also their bond with their Daddy. I hope that continues to grow stronger and that this routine of theirs morphs into something deeper as they get older and look to confide in him. Their little space and time together each day continues to be something special between them.

Every dad’s got their own special thing they do with their kids. Some do the fishing thing and my kids’ dad… Well, he has a different technique.

What’s your husband’s approach to bonding with the littles?

Leave a comment letting me know and what the dad in your life would love from Sears.com/DestinationDad and you’ll be entered to win a $100 gift card from Sears. Bonus entry to my Facebook fans. Just let me know you’re one in a second comment. Random.org will draw the winner. Giveaway ends 6/20. Good luck!

Winning comment is: Heidi who said “Our garage is my husband’s man cave. We have four girls who love to be out there with their Daddy. They have kid size tools, brooms, dust pans, and such and they love to help Daddy work on vehicles and “clean” his garage :-). He doesn’t have his own pressure washer yet so I would like to get him one. Then he and the kids can wash the cars together!”

*I’m passionate about spending quality time with my family and I love it when stores make that easier for me by making shopping easier and more affordable. That’s why I’ve partnered with Sears for this post.

Tags: Father's Day, Sears, workout