To all of the men with daughters: The mere thought of your little girl having a “boyfriend” must make you crazy -- it does me, and I am just her mother.
That little 2kg angelic princess you brought home seven years ago, will probably have a “crush” within the next couple of years, and a boyfriend just a few years after that. That is terrifying.
Relationships and marriages are hard, and that is a truth that your daughter will learn one day. They are challenging for all people, including the kindhearted and well-intentioned.
The best (and probably the hardest) thing you can do for your daughter is to model for her how a woman should be treated.
Your young daughter is impressionable, and unfortunately, she is going to learn from the movies, television shows, magazines, social media, and her friends, what love looks and sounds like -- or so she'll think.
More likely is that what she will be "picking up" outside of her home will be so far from “real” and “right” love.
You, and only you, can combat this -- by treating her mother well and loving her mother hard.
Today and all days, respect your wife.
Hold her hand at every chance you get and kiss her a lot.
Smile at her.
Make eye contact.
Your daughter more than loves her mother -- she is enthralled with her.
The mother-daughter connection is so intertwined, that mothers and their daughters, well, they tend to live a parallel life. And, your understanding of this will help you to come to this realization: That your relationship with your wife is about so much more than just you and her.
The greatest gift that a father can give to his daughter -- behind his time and attention -- is loving her mother.
When she is talking, listen intently.
Open doors for her.
Build up her confidence.
Praise her for her accomplishments.
Encourage her when she is in need of it.
Empathize with her when she seeks support.
Go on adventures with her.
Tell her she is beautiful, inside and out, and tell her often.
This article was first published 0n Cafemom.
