10 worst things a girl dad can do
As a girl dad, you know that staying the course with her through every phase of her development is easier said than done, right? And let’s be honest, when she was younger and used less words, she was a lot easier to track with. But then as she’s grown, so have her needs and wants…and words!
That’s where you, and other girl dads like you, often get overwhelmed and lost.
So as a way to support your deep desire to dial into your daughter’s heart, I want to share with you a few things I’ve learned along the way, ten things you don’t want to do if you want to raise a healthy, vibrant, empowered, and confident daughter.
Here are ten worst things a girl dad can do:
1: Tell her she’s too emotional
The reality is that as women we have 11 percent more neurons in our brain centers involved in hearing and language as compared to men, leading us oftentimes to be better skilled at expressing emotions. I’ve read that women retain emotional memories more vividly than men do, which serves as another piece of the puzzle when it comes to you as a girl dad honoring the wiring of your daughter, particularly when it comes to emotional responses.
2: Require her to talk calmly and rationally in order to communicate with you
I understand that most men “flood” [a.k.a. zone out] when there is too much emotion coming at you because it feels like you need to fix things and have the answers. However, the more you can be a sounding board as your daughter vents and expresses, the more of a gift you are to her. When we can talk while feeling our emotions, the more we will automatically become calm as a result. Just remember that you don’t have to fix it. Listening to her is the best gift you can give…and that actually is the fix.
3: Criticize her
There’s a difference between choosing certain times to correct or discipline and putting her down or highlighting the things she’s doing wrong. One researcher talks about the concept of a “Love Bank,” saying to strive for five deposits to every one withdrawal in order to make a relationship strong. If you have something that needs to be addressed, be sure and pack a lot of positive, life-breathing, encouraging statements around your corrections and it will have a much higher success rate of responsiveness. Remember the 5:1 ratio…daily.
4: Tease her about her weight or any part of her body
I understand that guys tend toward teasing each other about body parts and it’s no big deal. Not with us girls. We remember things that are said, even in jest, forever. Everything. Make sure to never, ever, under any circumstances tease her about her weight, her size (breast size, pant size, etc.), or any imperfections on her body. Those words will stay with her long after they’re said. And even if she seems to laugh it off, those reminders of her flaws are hurtful and will most likely lead to less self-confidence, a negative body image, and possibly to an eating disorder.
5: Put her mother down
Whether you’re still married or divorced, when you demean, criticize, or speak negatively about your daughter’s mom, you are essentially criticizing her. She will hear it as you saying that you think she will turn out the same way. And because every daughter sees herself as some sort of reflection of the woman who brought her into the world, she uses mom as a reference point for understanding herself. Look for the positives in mom and point them out to your daughter.
6: Think your actions behind closed doors don’t matter or are inconsequential
We’ve all heard the adage, “do as I say, not as I do.” But really, who is kidding who here? As a girl dad, just remember that the choices you make when no one is looking are the things that define you and measure your integrity. Let your actions on and off the court be filled with self-respect if you want your daughter to live out her morals, beliefs, and values as well. Let me say it another way: When you live honorably, she will be more apt to follow your lead because, after all, actions speak louder than words. It starts with you, girl dad.
7: Forget her birthday
Each of us has an innate desire to be known and even celebrated. But simultaneously us girls don’t always feel we’re worth the party. This is where you as her dad come in. Your investment of time, energy, and money tells her that she’s valued and loved. Make sure to join in the celebration on her birthday because it shouts, “I’m glad you were born!”
8: Compare her to her siblings
Although it might slip out of your mouth, try and avoid ever saying, “Why can’t you be more like…” You see, we girls compare ourselves to everyone else without prompting. So if you add to that reality, it only adds more fuel to an already existing fire. Make sure to let her know that she’s one of a kind even though much of the time she may feel like she’s one of a million. Let her know she’s unique and beautiful just because she’s herself.
9: Speak in anger
If I had a quarter for all the times I’ve heard daughters, most often with tears running down their cheeks, tell me about the wounding that has been experienced as a result of dad’s anger, I’d sadly be rich. Words spoken in anger do the most damage to a daughter’s heart over anything else I hear from girls about their relationship with their dads. If you want to have your daughter’s heart stay open to you, make a contract with yourself to never speak in anger to her again because it destroys her spirit and her soul. Take a time out to cool off and come back when you’re calm. You’ll never regret waiting to speak.
10: Give monetary gifts rather than yourself
In a world where life seems to be increasingly speeding up faster, it can be easy to give objects more than yourself to your daughter. Remember that she wants and needs you, your heart, your attention, and your time more than any monetary thing. You, dad, are the gift. And when you give of yourself, it communicates that she is worthy of your attention and focus. If you write her a note, it will be treasured. In fact, don’t be surprised if she saves it forever (like I’ve done with my dad!) because your view of her matters more than all the rest.
Now you have even more ideas of what you need to succeed in connecting with your daughter’s heart. On your mark, get set…go girl dad!
