To every father that has embraced their responsibilities, and are in the lives of their children, I applaud you. At a time where many have fallen short in this regard you have taken the path that a true man should take. This should always be acknowledged but there is always room for improvement.
To the men who have not been active in the lives of their children, please reconsider your position. Your absence has a very negative impact, and your children deserve better than that. Even if you have issues with their mother, do your best to improve the situation, and take a more active role. We need you to take that step.
I recently spoke at a Young Women’s Conference and it was a great experience. I enjoyed the interaction with all the women that participated, and it reminded me of the importance for many to have a positive male influence in their lives. There are things that daughters need from their fathers. Even when they have a father in their life, the things they truly need may be overlooked. Fathers be open to embracing and implementing these key principles:
1. Your Daughter Needs Your Attention
Young daughters are simply women in training. Therefore they have some of the same emotional needs that a father should be mindful of. Many times fathers overlook the need to take the extra step of interacting with their daughter. I mean it’s great if your presence is seen, but is your presence being felt? Are you showing a genuine interest in your daughter’s life? Are you making time to connect with her and express your love through quality time? These things are important to any woman, and her being a young woman doesn’t change that.
2. She Needs You To Make Her Feel Comfortable Talking To You
It’s great if you’re providing for your daughter and protecting her like a good father should. You may have her respect, but ask yourself are you truly connecting with your daughter? Are you creating an environment that she can come to you for guidance, or has a wall been built that keeps her from opening up to you? It is wise to create an environment where your daughter feels she can talk to you. It decreases the chances of her seeking answers from people who may lead her down the wrong path. There will be an opportunity to properly address and resolve any existing issues when she can feel that coming to her father is a viable option. Not to mention it will increase the bond you have with her, and provide her the love she needs. When you eliminate that void you help decrease the likelihood that she will seek out the wrong men and take the wrong actions in an attempt to gain fulfillment.
3. Your Daughter Needs Your Encouragement & Positive Reinforcement
When a daughter knows she has the support of her father, it gives her great strength. Your encouragement, and positive words are the fuel she needs to conquer the many obstacles she will face. Remind her that she is beautiful, remind her that she can achieve great things, remind her that she is a queen and deserves to be treated with respect. When you embrace pouring into your daughter the positive energy she needs, you will help her become the woman she was truly created to be.
4. She Needs You To Set The Example For The Type Of Man She Deserves to Be With
As a father you should desire for your daughter to be with a good man who can be there for her like she deserves. If you want to increase the chances of this happening you should ask yourself are you being that good man to her mother and in general? It doesn’t matter if you and her mother are together or not. You have to set an example of respect and love that shows your daughter what she should be looking for. Your actions can either push a negative view of men or a positive one. It can have a direct effect on the quality of man your daughter allows herself to be with and hold on to. So, be mindful of what example you are setting. Do some self evaluation and be the type of guy one would hope your daughter ends up with.
5. Your Daughter Needs To Know That Her Father Loves Her
Taking the actions on this list will surely express a great love to your daughter. However, it’s always a beautiful thing when she can hear you say it as well. So no matter how much you think she already knows, don’t hold back on telling her that you love her. Some women weren’t given that, and you shouldn’t dismiss the positive impact it can have. So be sure to do it, and do it more than once. Let her feel your love with words, and with actions.
Nobody is perfect but we should always strive to be better. For all the fathers out there and even the men who have yet to have kids; these principles should be embraced to create a better relationship with the special women in your life. Your daughter needs it and your significant other needs this from you as well. Being there for them is great but truly connecting with them will provide a love that everyone involved will benefit from.
This article originally appeared on stephanspeaks.com