Why a video message to your son for Father's Day matters
Sons often grow up hearing what to do and rarely hearing what their parent actually thinks of them. A video message is a chance to say the second part. Most fathers hear thanks on Father's Day and rarely hear for what. A recorded message is the chance to be specific, once.
Keep it plain. Fathers tend to trust a plain sentence more than a flowery one. Say it straight. Sons tend to trust a plain sentence more than a flowery one.
Three angles to take
Pick one. A message that tries to do all three usually does none of them well.
The thing nobody thanks him for
Fathers often do the quiet work: the early drive, the fixed thing, the bill paid without comment. Name one, specifically, and say thank you for that.
The day you saw his character
Tell him about one moment when he did the right thing without being told. Say that you noticed, and that it told you who he was going to be.
What you see when he is with the kids
If there are children in the picture, describe a moment you watched him with them and what it told you about who he is.
12 prompts to get you talking
Answer two or three of these on camera and you have a message. Half are about your son; half are about Father's Day.
- 01What is a story about him that you tell other people?
- 02What is the one sentence you want him to hear this Father's Day?
- 03What is a trait of his that you hope he never loses?
- 04What did he get right as a father that you want to say out loud?
- 05What did you get wrong with him that you would like to say out loud?
- 06What did you learn from watching him rather than from anything he said?
- 07What do you hope he is easier on himself about than you were?
- 08What is a story about him as a dad that the family will tell for years?
- 09What is something your son did as a boy that showed you exactly who he would become?
- 10What is a moment you watched him with a child that stayed with you?
- 11What is the one sentence you want him to hear from you on the hardest day of his life?
- 12What do you hope he does for himself this year?
A sample 60-second script
Replace the bracketed parts with your own words. Read it once, then put it down and talk.
[Name], happy Father's Day. I am recording this [when] so it is waiting for you in the morning.
I remember [a memory of him as a father, or as your father].
I learned [one thing] from watching you, and I still do it.
This year I hope you [one wish for him].
I love you. Thank you.
When to deliver it
This message can be delivered on a date, held until you release it, or tied to your check-in.
Schedule the message for Father's Day morning and it arrives before the day begins. You can also record it now and keep it on hold, then release it yourself whenever the moment is right.
If you want a Father's Day message to reach your son every year, record a fresh one each June. Some people also record one for the check-in, so there is a Father's Day message waiting for him even if a year comes when you cannot send one.
Record it while the words are fresh
Free to start. Record on any phone, choose who it is for, and decide when it arrives.
Common questions
My son does not say much about feelings. Will he actually watch a message for Father's Day?+
Almost always, and usually alone, more than once. Keep it short and direct, do not ask him to respond, and let it be about him rather than about the two of you. That is the version sons replay.
Can I schedule a Father's Day message for my son for next year?+
Yes. Set the delivery date for Father's Day and it stays sealed until that morning. You can re-record it any time before it is delivered.
Is it free to start?+
Yes. You can record and save your first message for free. Scheduled delivery dates and longer videos are part of the paid plans. Receiving a message is always free and does not require an account.
Can I change the message later?+
Yes. You can re-record or delete it any time before it is delivered. Once a message has been delivered, it cannot be unsent.