To all the superhero dads on Father’s Day

It’s been this way since they were old enough to recognize his daddy superpowers.

Like all heroes, he is the good guy — always. He can do no wrong. They are on his side in any argument and on his team in any Monopoly game.

With our first child, this made me a little jealous at first, but through the years, I have learned to also stand in awe of the superhero dad and his amazing traits.

First and foremost, he is invincible. He can toss our kids impossibly high and always catch them. They believe he can do anything and that everything he does is amazing. They trust him 100 percent because he is their dad — he can’t let them down.

His superhero powers don’t end there.

He has the power to produce energy out of nowhere. Even when I know he’s had a long day at work, he always manages to find the strength to wrestle on the carpet or play soccer at the park.

He also has the power to stop time. No matter what he has on his to-do list, he can somehow always find more time to spend with his kids.

I’m grateful my husband is a hero to our children, and I know it’s not easy to act the part every day.

He knows that our children are always watching him, expecting him to be the superhero dad they need him to be. They instinctively want to be like him and make him proud. One word of praise can make their day, and one look of disappointment can crush it. In many ways, his ultimate superpower is that he holds these fragile and precious egos and futures in his hand. Like every superhero, with great power comes great responsibility.

To all the superhero dads out there this Father’s Day, keep it up. Your superpowers don’t go unnoticed. Whatever you do, pairs of little eyes are watching you, worshipping you and trying to be just like you.

Your wife may not always say it, the world may not always show it and your children may not even realize it, but they need you to step up every day. Every child deserves a superhero dad in his or her life, whether that’s a father, an uncle, a brother or a family friend.

Every child needs more magic and heroism in this world. They need dads who know that success at home isn’t a byproduct of life; it is life.

So don’t let them down. Your children made you a dad, but it’s up to you to become the superhero they already believe you are.

Erin Stewart is a regular blogger for Deseret News. From stretch marks to the latest news for moms, she discusses it all while her 9-year-old and 5-year-old daughters dive-bomb off the couch behind her.