This was taken from All Pro Dad, but I had to share!
As a girl grows up, men will come in and out of her life, but the one
man who will always be there is her father. A father plays a vital role
in his daughter’s journey to adulthood, and below are seven things that
can help a father give her his best.
1. She needs you to be involved.
A
daughter needs her father to be actively interested in her life.
“Actively interested” does not refer to the second-long conversation
that sometimes happens between a father and daughter when he asks how
her day went and she replies with one word. A father should participate
in his daughter’s hobbies and activities by displaying interest. For
example, if she is interested in collecting coins, take her to coin
shows. Use the Internet to learn about rare coins and talk about them.
Is your daughter talented in the any sports, such as volleyball?
Whether she wants to play or just enjoys watching the games, become an
enthusiastic fan and supporter! Show your daughter that you are
interested in her life by learning more about it and trying to become a
part of it.
2. She needs you to demonstrate a healthy marriage.
The
first relationship a daughter experiences is the one between her mother
and father. If her father disrespects his wife with physical or
emotional abuse, a daughter might come to believe that is the expected
relationship with a husband. However, a father that displays physical
affection, respect, and a true partnership with his wife provides an
incredible example that his daughter will want to mirror in her own
life.
3. She needs you to support her.
Even
though a father may not always agree with his daughter, she needs to
know you will support her. When a father fully and wholeheartedly
supports his daughter, she will develop strong self-esteem and a
positive self-image. This doesn’t mean that you always have to agree
with her, but show her that while you might not agree with a choice she
is making, you will always believe in her as a person and have
confidence in her abilities.
4. She needs to trust you as a confidante.
When
your daughter does come to you and discusses personal issues and
problems, she needs to know that you will treat them with respect and
confidence. They shouldn’t become dinner-table conversation with the
rest of the family.
5. She needs your unconditional love.
Just
as our Father in Heaven demonstrates unconditional love, fathers on
earth need to display this as well. Unconditional love requires that a
daughter knows no matter how badly she messes up, her father will be
there, not to ridicule and demean but to forgive.
6. She needs a strong spiritual leader.
A
father should be the spiritual head of a household and should take
charge of his children’s religious education. Pray with your daughter!
Don’t be shy about bringing the Lord into your conversations with her.
7. She needs a positive role model.
Many
daughters today lack a positive male role model in their life. A father
is the first man in a girl’s life that she will intimately know. Her
father sets the standard for all other men in her life, and a positive
role model will help her choose a good husband in the future. Take a
moment for some self-reflection. Are there any habits you need to
break? Are there some areas of your own life that could use a
“spiritual overhaul” and prayer? When your daughter sees that you are
willing to examine your own life and make changes when necessary, you
provide the best example she could ever have of accepting responsibility
for her actions.
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