The father-daughter relationship is very important for a girl as it can affect her in many ways. A father’s influence in his daughter’s life can shape her self-image, self-esteem, confidence and opinions of men. Fathers should also set a good example by living a life of honesty and integrity, it would be best to avoid hypocrisy in order to help their daughters deal with the world in the future.
Pros of having a good father-daughter relationship
It is vital for fathers to be able to connect with their daughters. Most daughters who have loving relationships with their fathers are more likely to:
- Do well in school
- Feel more confident in themselves
- Are more assertive without being aggressive
- Feel more confident in relationships with men in general
Here are a few things fathers can do to have a better relationship with their daughters.
1. Be there for her right from the start
The best way for a father to develop a good relationship with his daughter is to be involved right from the moment she is born. Play an active role in taking care of the baby girl. The more time a father spends with his daughter earlier, it would be less difficult to build a relationship with her.
2. Teach her some new skills
It would be nice if a father can teach his daughter some “guy skills” like fixing a car, golfing, fishing or home repairs. This helps in boosting her self-confidence as she would feel great knowing she’s a girl that can tackle anything. Being with her father, doing things that he’s good can be beneficial for her.
3. Listen to her
Girls are more talkative than boys when growing up. One of the ways a father can grow closer to his daughter is by listening to her whenever she speaks. Pay attention to what she’s saying and show interest in what she enjoys doing. When she shares something private with you, gain her trust by keeping her secret without repeating her story to someone else.
4. Spend more time with her
It would be good to have father-daughter dates once in a while. Even simple activities like visiting a toy store or getting some ice cream together can be really fun for your daughter. Other fun and exciting activities like swimming, hiking, miniature golfing or going to plays can be effective in building memories.
5. Tell her she’s beautiful
It may sound a little cheesy for some fathers but telling your daughter that she’s beautiful is very important. Media often send out messages to young girls that being beautiful means having to look a certain way. However, it is up to her father to make her feel beautiful on the inside. Compliment her whenever she smiles, this can definitely improve the relationship between a father and a daughter.
6. Set a good example of Manhood
How your daughter sees men later in her life is affected by the way she witness you treat women. Be on your best behaviour with her, her mother and female relatives or friends. Simple kindness goes a long way in helping her understand what to expect from men when she grows up.
For more parenting advice or tips, please visit Mamahood.com.sg.