Daughters
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- Category: Blog Tuesday - Mrunal
I’m not sure where I read this so can’t attribute it to anyone…
A daughter needs a dad...- to show her that true love is unconditional
- to teach her that her value as a person is more than the way she looks
- to teach her that family is more important than work
- to show her that a man can be trustworthy
- to be the safe spot she can always turn to
- to teach her that a man’s strength is not the force of his hands or his voice, but the kindness of his heart
- to be the standard against which she will judge all men
- to help her take risks that will build her confidence
- to hold her when she cries
- to teach her she is important by stopping what he is doing to watch her
I find these words incredibly challenging and provoking. How often do I not give myself to my daughter in this way! It’s sobering to realise the pressures that our daughters are under and also to grasp the responsibility that we dads have to play our part.
When I realise that the way I treat her and the way that she sees me treat my wife will affect her attitudes and decisions to her future husband it is truly humbling.
I realise that when she cries and I’m harsh with her I’m teaching her something. That when I allow myself to let work emails crowd into family time I’m teaching her something. That when I come across angry and unreasonable I’m teaching her something. That when I am overly protecting of her in areas of risk I’m teaching her something. That when I don’t listen and give her my focus I’m teaching her something. Help!
On the flip side, when I’m patient I’m teaching her something. When I give her quality time I’m teaching her something. When I complement her beauty I’m teaching her something. When I help her stretch herself in a loving, non pushy way, I’m teaching her something.
Of course there’s always sorry, there’s always forgiveness. No father is perfect and it’s the whole childhood experience that counts not just isolated incidents.
Equally I want to see these few short years as an opportunity to grow myself as I help to grow her. She’s such an amazing gift to me and I never want to forget that! I find it helpful to remember that my actions shape her life and it inspires me to keep growing and changing myself.
How about you?
