I have just returned from a memorable trip through Portugal, Spain and Holland where I tried to soak up as much local culture as possible. Not by visiting the traditional landmarks or museums (although they were amazing too), but by strolling through city streets and neighborhoods and observing how families live. And on this trip, I found myself walking through lots of parks and playgrounds; so many, in fact that I wondered if there has been a playground building boom in Europe!

What struck me in particular about what I observed was the large number of fathers I saw out and in the parks with their kids. And I don’t mean  families that included Dads; I mean just Dads, playing soccer, sure, but also down in the sandbox, up on the sliding board, playing tag, interacting and having fun with their kids.

There have been some recent best selling parenting books – such as and – that imply that other countries or cultures do a better job of raising children then we do in the good ol’ USA. As a patriot, I was dubious, but also as a pediatrician who has seen so many amazing – American – parents in my practice.

But seeing so many foreign Dad’s sharing such simple memorable moments made me wonder how we stack up as American Dads. I saw the compassion that Spanish Dads expressed, the engagement that Portuguese fathers provided, the comradeship between Dutch fathers and sons.  And a lot of heartwarming tenderness. And while American Dads are terrific fathers too and our engagement has grown exponentially in the past 50 years, I wonder if we’re fully there yet, the way the European Dads I saw were.

So often, for instance, I see American Dads at the park, true, but busy on their cellphones, doing business while the kids play.

It made me  wonder if we take enough time to truly celebrate all the treasured moments our children are eager to share with us. If we take enough time and are truly present enough to savor our kid’s laughter and smiles as we ride a teeter-totter with them or push them on a swing. Or if we’re distracted.

There’s an added benefit too: if we’re truly present in all the moments we share with our kids, then that sheer love and joy we experience with them in the good times will carry us through the more trying moments of parenthood.

So with Father’s Day coming up, here’s to ALL the great Dads in the world, no matter what their nationality, who share love, respect, and positivity with their children.

Salud, Proost, Saude, Cheers!