image When I first found out that our first born was going to be a girl I didn’t really know what to think. Growing up there was only my brother and myself. I had a couple of cousins that were girls but for the most part I really didn’t grow up or know anything about adolescent girls. (Outside of schoolmates of course) So when we found that we were having a girl I got a bit nervous. What am I supposed to do with a girl? What games will we play? How will I connect with her? Will she connect with me? After a little searching I found out just how important it is that our daughters stay close to us and vice versa.

The first place that I found how important it is for fathers to be close to their daughters was from a book called Dads and Daughters by Joe Kelly. This is a great book that is an easy read and really shows you ways to connect and bond with our daughters. It also discusses how important it is that girls have strong father figures. It is extremely important for their self esteem, self worth and developing sexuality. Building that trust bond between a father and his daughter is probably the most important connection in a girl’s life. I highly recommend reading this book.

Not long ago I also came across a posting on About.com that talked about some of the ways you can stay close to a daughter through her adolescent years. I would have to say that the one that jumps out the most for me is number 3, “Learn to listen”. As fathers we tend to be fixers. We just want to make it all better for those we care about and we don’t always take the time to listen first. Sometimes all our daughters really want is for us to just shut up and listen. Sometimes I ask my 3 year old if she wants me to fix the problem for her or to just listen and even at her age she will tell me which she wants. Let them tell you what they want, don’t always try to fix the problem first. Hopefully you can take away some valuable information and create that amazing bond with your daughter(s).

Have a nice weekend!

 

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Top Ten Ways to Stay Close to Your Daughter As She Grows Up –  via fatherhood.about.com