One of the greatest images, in my opinion, is seeing a little girl spending time with her daddy. There is something powerful that happens in a daddy, daughter relationship. Girls absolutely need their dads to play a major role in their lives. Yes, I know single moms who have done amazing jobs with their girls, but that girl, unfortunately, always misses that piece her daddy should have filled.
I especially enjoy overhearing the conversations my husband has with our daughters. Sometimes he is encouraging and inspiring in teaching those needed life lessons. Other times, he’s rough and stern when he’s disciplining. I’m usually somewhere cringing, but even in those not so pleasant conversations, I know my girls will benefit as a result.
I asked my daughters what they needed to hear most often from their daddy, and here’s what they shared:
“I love you”
“You look beautiful today”
“You’re going to do great today”
“I’ll always love you no matter what you do”
“You can talk to me about anything”
“Having you was one of the best days of my life”
Daddy and daughter relationships shape a girl’s future. It teaches her about love, real love. It helps with her confidence and guides her in her own love relationship decisions. It is an amazing feeling for a young girl to know she has a daddy who will protect her, love her and encourage her. Although I didn’t grow up with my dad in the home with me, he really was just a phone call away. But even with that, I wanted more. A young girl needs daily reminders of just how awesome she is and how much she is adored by the people she loves the most. Believe it or not, it means even more when it comes from her daddy.
BMWK, what statements would you add to this list?
I miss my daddy so much. He died at an age where I needed him the MOST (July 4, 1995 – 13 & going to high school that fall). But when I was a little girl, he always sang and played “Isn’t She Lovely” to me. 🙂 One of the best memories I will always have of him.
Thank you for sharing April. Those precious memories will stay with you forever. A daddy makes all the difference in the world. Keeping you in my prayers.
unfortunately I never heard those words from my dad. Even at 47 I wish things could have been different.My sister and I never felt like we were a priority to him. he had me at the age of 17 and my sister at 24.other things and people were more important than his family.Although I have forgiven him for leaving my mom to raise two young girls alone. There are times when I get so angry.
I’d add “Im proud of you”, “you’re so smart”, “you’re such a great daughter”. I have my dad (he’s 73) & he & my mom have been married for 30 years. Those are the words he still tells me to this day. I am a single mom though but my dad also tells those things to my daughter. It’s so important for me to have him stand in the gap because he’s the epitome of a man in my eyes.
I did not grow up with my father…. didn’t meet him until I was a teenager. However, my husband does an awesome job with our daughter and watching them together is bittersweet. It’s a constant reminder of what my childhood should have been and what I will never know. My daughter doesn’t know how truly blessed we are to have such a wonderful man in our lives. He is truly something special! Daddies really make a difference in the home.
I grew up with a father in the house and he often told my sister and I that he loved us but it was always loaded…he was looking for us to respond with, “I love you too” and would often ask, “How much.” Of course then I didn’t get it but as an adult and being able to discern things I know that it was to fulfill some insecurities he has within himself. He also told us we could talk to him about anything and that too was not with good intent. However, I have used those things as examples for rearing my children. I truly mean it when I tell them they can talk to me about anything and I do not and try not to ever hold what they share with me against them nor do I make them “regret” they shared something with me.
Great article!
So your Whining that your dad was there for you.
I have heard the first comments and that is about it. At my age I feel like I missed out on a lot with my father. I will end here but I thank you for this post.
My father told me to always remember that “You are the prize!” (when it came to relationships).
Every daughter likes to hear all these from her dad
Even i never heard all these from my dad ………. he tells me that he wanted the boy kid .
‘You are very smart. And, You can do anything.’ Were words I’ll never forget. A girl will imitate here mother & LISTEN to her father. It’s imperative that dads build up their daughters self-esteem early on, so she’s better equip to handle her future.
Blessings.
Bishops Daughters is an embarrassment.
I wish as a girl I had heard any of these things from my Dad. I would add~ You are worthy of the very best and Never settle for less.
My dad died when I was 20 and was never really around, but the few times he was around, he shared many of those things with me, but I never really believed them, because I felt if he meant it, he would have been there. Thank God I forgave him prior to his demise, but having these experiences has shown me what to avoid and what to look for in a mate. We all need our fathers. I thank God He is my true Father.
My dad was never there but my husband is an awesome man he takes the girls out on dates and tells me how awesome Iam so I get the encouraging words from my husband
Great article! REAL Men have no idea the role they play in young girls life. Are words and actions are soaked in like a sponge.
“Proud of you” is another key phrase.