Dad’s Survival Guide To Raising Daughters From Infancy To Adolescence

Child Daughters

When your little girl grows out of infancy and embarks into childhood, things start to change. From about 1-10 years old, most girls are absolutely doting and in love with their dads. They just want to be around you, listen to you talk, and have your attention directed to them only. This is an important time for building a strong connection that will last the tempest of the teenage years, so put your effort into it now.

5. Praise Right

Your opinion matters to your daughter, so show that you think highly of her with praise. Be cautious with overpraising, and remember that the compliments you pay her will ultimately become what she seeks in other men. Don’t just tell her she’s pretty, but also smart and capable and strong. These matter.

6. Relate To Her

There’s a lot of confidence to be gained from fathers relating to their daughter’s interests, so make a point to do so. Learn about your daughter’s interests, so you can talk about the things that she enjoys deeply. This works to build her self esteem as well as your relationship.

7. Involve Yourself In Education

During your daughter’s childhood, school is more or less the centre of her world. Offer your involvement as much as she wants, with homework, school lunches or assignment assistance.

8. Be Friendly

 Along with school, your daughter’s friends make up a big part of her life, and how she sees herself. If she has a large group of friends, be involved by helping her get to their houses, learning about them and so on. If she’s shy, make a point to know her “best friend” and help her understand that she’s worth knowing, and worth being friends with. Sometimes, girls need to hear this from someone they trust.

Next Page: More Tips for A Dad Raising Daughters

Clare Whitfield Chief Editor

Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney, she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work.

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