Dads play a hugely important role in their daughters’ lives. Not only do they provide love and support, but they can also help foster a sense of confidence and strength in their daughters. Here are some tips on how dads can make their daughters feel like they’re capable, intelligent, good enough-and maybe even extraordinary!
What dads can do to help their daughters grow up confident and strong
Encourage your daughter’s passions, no matter what they may be
Let them choose their extracurricular interests, but also offer encouragement when they show you something they are passionate about. Do not undercut your daughter’s confidence by being overly critical of her appearance or capabilities. Instead, help boost her self-esteem by encouraging her in various situations. Give your daughters responsibilities at an early age, so they learn to be independent and take pride in their abilities.
It’s also great if you can provide girls with a group of supportive women outside the family, which can hugely bolster her self-esteem and confidence. If this is not possible, encourage your daughter to join after-school programs or extracurricular activities where she can learn how to work with a group of other girls and women.
Help her find her voice by listening without judgment or criticism
Your daughter will likely develop her own set of opinions and beliefs. As she matures, she’ll start to form her ideas about the world and how it should be changed for the better. Girls also typically become more outspoken as they grow older, but sometimes still struggle to find their voice in certain social situations because they’re afraid of being judged.
It’s important to let your child know that you’re always there to listen if they have something on their mind or just need a sounding board. Your job as a parent is not to judge or criticize what she says, but simply offer your support and guidance by giving her a safe space to express her feelings. Teach your daughter how to adapt to changing social situations
As your daughter moves from elementary to middle school and then into high school, she’ll have to navigate a new set of social situations. Girls this age also tend to become more aware of their appearance, as well as the way they dress and behave around other people. Interacting with boys becomes a bigger priority as well!
If your daughter is under stress due to school, her social life or even just fitting in with a certain group of peers, it might be helpful to encourage her to join after-school programs where she can work with others. Girls this age are typically looking for ways to express themselves by learning new skills or exploring new hobbies. You can also invite her along to group activities that you participate in on weekends, such as going for a hike or visiting an art gallery.
Don’t just tell her she is beautiful -show that you see her as smart, capable, and worthy of love too!
When your girl asks about beauty products like makeup or is curious about underarm whitening treatments, it’s okay to support her interests and make sure that her fascination comes from a healthy perspective. It’s good to support your daughter in her interests, whether it be academic, artistic, or physical. However, while it’s perfectly fine for girls to put importance on their appearance, it should not be the only way they see value in themselves.
Try to compliment other traits that are just as important, like her intelligence or capability to make good decisions with the help of your guidance. Of course, she’ll sometimes have bad days when she just doesn’t feel too great about herself – that’s perfectly normal! Instead of telling her how beautiful she looks, try saying that you love spending time with her because of her sense of humor or gentle nature.
Girls need to know that their physical appearance is just one part of who they are as a person. Encourage her to embrace all the different aspects of herself by showing her daily that you love everything about her. She doesn’t have to be perfect for you to adore her. You can also show your daughter just how powerful female friendships are by including her in your circle of close friends.
It may be difficult to find the right balance for your daughter when it comes to showcasing her good attributes. Encourage her interests while also teaching her how to grow up with a healthy body image. If she’s under stress due to things like school or social life, try helping out by taking part in after-school activities like sports lessons or art classes. Above all else, make sure she knows that the beauty of her body is just one aspect of who she is as a person.
