In this Dad Amongst Dudes column, our humor columnist dishes on why he’s adding these parent-focused holidays into his 2026 calendar—including ones that are dedicated to single and working parents—and share some silly gift ideas from your kids.
Parenting can be a difficult, thankless endeavor. It’s a grind; it’s a sacrifice. It’s, well, a lot sometimes. Those who parent don’t do it for glory or praise. They parent because it’s the right thing to do. Yes, there is Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Sure, that way each parent gets exactly 1/365th of the year to feel extra special for you fraction lovers out there—or a solid 0.27% of the year. But parenting should be celebrated more often.
So as we flip the calendar to 2026, I see the perfect opportunity to introduce more parental holidays into the American schedule. Fortunately for you, I have tracked down a handy list of actual documented, parent-related holidays to help you boost that 0.27% up a bit.
At the end of the day, it’s about making a difference. But at the end of the year, if you follow this calendar’s advice, maybe it can also be about an extra waffle or two.
8 Holidays to Make 2026 the Year of the Parent:
Here’s a semi-complete list of parent-related holidays—plus funny gift ideas for celebrating Mom and Dad all year.
March 18: Forgive Mom and Dad Day
What it celebrates: The day exists because we parents are also human. While some kids might see their parents as infallible, life happens. Forgive them on this day. At what time? If we ever make a mistake, kids will let you know.
Gift idea: Matching “My mom/dad are perfection” mugs that can be taken out for every morning coffee to remind the children of just how lucky they are.
March 21: National Single Parents Day
What it celebrates: There is no gimmick here. Single parents are rockstars. Period.
Gift idea: Anything they freakin’ want. Really.
May 17: Take Your Parents to the Playground Day
What it celebrates: Finally, after years and years of taking my kids to play, my day has come. To make sure the day is celebrated properly, I will be requiring my kids to push me on the swings, watch me every time I go across the monkey bars and deal with my pestering when the ice cream man inevitably pulls up.
Gift idea: A few dollars cash for a Strawberry Shortcake bar ought to cover it.
July 27 : National Parents’ Day
What it celebrates: By this time, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day have faded into memory. Make this day a chance for kids to work double time and make breakfast in bed for two. Remember, it’s not child labor if a holiday is involved.
Gift idea: Waffles (make sure to have them practice the week before so they have the recipe down pat).
August 1: Respect for Parents Day
What it celebrates: This day is said to be a good starting point to teach your kids about showing gratitude for all the sacrifices you have made in their lifetimes. If you are looking for a festive activity to celebrate, I would suggest sitting the kids down and reciting an hours-long-yet-still-incomplete list of everything you have done as a parent as a form of atonement for them.
Gift idea: An audio recording of that day’s narrative to play back to the kids whenever you like.
September 5: National Lazy Mom’s Day
What it celebrates: According to the holiday descriptor, it is advised that kids take over for Mom and do the chores she would do for the kids and let her put her feet up for 24 hours. It’s a good idea. That way, she can get a bit of rest before she needs to clean up from all the half-emptied trash bins, pans that are still soaking in the sink and wadded paper towels from her kids’ attempt at making lunch the next day.
Gift idea: Noise-cancelling headphones so she can temporarily ignore the insanity going on around her.
September 16: Working Parents Day
What it celebrates: We work hard for them. Perhaps a celebration or cake to mark the occasion is in order—you know, after you get off work at 5pm. After all, this year’s holiday falls on a Wednesday, so good luck getting time off with work with this excuse.
Gift idea: Cake mix. Make it instant, boxed mix so it can be thrown together in under 20 minutes.
December 5: National Communicate with Your Kids Day
What it celebrates: Healthy communication is the keystone to any great relationship. Take some time to talk, share thoughts and read to them. May I suggest the complete 2025 collection of DFWChild magazines?
Gift idea: We do celebratory subscriptions to this publication, right?
At the end of the day, it’s about making a difference. But at the end of the year, if you follow this calendar’s advice, maybe it can also be about an extra waffle or two. Pull out that 2026 calendar and start circling some of these dates to help spread the love for parenthood. And cheers to you for doing what you do selflessly, 365/24/7, holiday or not. That’s a solid 100% of the time.
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Josh Farnsworth is a national-award-winning parenting columnist who lives with his wife and two goofball sons. You can reach him for column ideas at josh.farnsworth@yahoo.com.
