Dads and Daughters: Five ways dads make a difference

the washer needs dogs…

Our washer has been repaired multiple times. We are definitely of the wear it out variety.

The washer stops spinning and that means we need new dogs.

This time, the minute Emma heard dogs were involved whe was all ear. She watned to be part of the project. She got out the wrenches and ratchets and told Mike they needed to get to work. The washer needed to get back to its spinning self.

Watching Emma and Mike work together made me so grateful for my husband. He explained what each tool did and how the washer worked and why the dogs made a difference. He was patient and kind and she loved the opportunity to work beside him. He encouraged her and complimented her on a job well done and she walked around oh so proud! of herself for the rest of the day.

Seeing what a difference that made to Emma made me so grateful for Mike. He is an excellent dad! He does so much to ensure that our daughters feel safe and protected, beautiful and loved.

He blesses their lives immensely.

In her book, “Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters,” (a must read if you’re raising daughters-she has one for sons, too!) Meg Meeker writes that dads are even more important in a young girl’s life than her mom. He helps her know how men should treat her, that she is strong and powerful, what kind of men she should spend her time with, instills confidence in who she is, and so much more. Dads make a huge difference in a girls life!

Five things dads can do to help their daughters:

*Listen. Let her talk. Be available to be a sounding board. Take the opportunity to hear about her friends, the emotional trauma she’s going through, the struggles she’s experiencing. Ask her about what her friends are like, what the hardest part of the day was, what she like most about school. And then listen. Hear what she says.

*Get involved in what she loves. Find out what her hobbies are, coach her team, listen to her practice her instrument or sing, compliment her interests, take the time to attend her performances, tell her when you see her improve, take her shopping, ask about her latest ideas.

*Take her on dates. When I was in high school my dad would often pick me up from school and take me to Pizza Hut. I loved the one on one time I got to have with him and I still have fond memories of those days of us sitting in a booth eating thick crust pizza. It matters to a girl that her dad wants to be with her. Tell her you love her, make sure she know that you love her. Take the chance to tell her specific ways you think she’s terrific and that you’re proud of her.

*Be affectionate. Give her hugs, kisses on the cheek, hold her hand. When she plops down next to you on the couch put your arm around her and pull her close to you. If she gets hurt be the first to rush to her side and encourage her and let her know that you’re there to help her, that you’ll protect her. When she scores a goal or does well at a performance run to her and twirl her around. When she’s disappointed hug her and tell her it will be all right, things will get better.

*Respect her mom. Say kind things to her mom, be complimentary of the work your wife does and the efforts she makes. Show your daughter the way you want her future boyfriends/husband to treat her by the way you treat your wife. Your daughter is watching and taking mental notes whether she realizes it or not.

Bonus:

*Teach her a skill. Dads have different skills than moms. Daughters love it when they get to work side by side with their dad. It makes them feel like they are contributing in a valuable way. Being together is important and learning a skill makes her time with you that much more memorable.

I know that I make a big difference in my girls’ lives. I also know that Mike has a huge influence on them and I’m so grateful for his goodness to them. They each adore him. Every dad can give beauty and love to their daughter and I know so many who do!