Fathers and Daughters
The Beginning of an Amazing Relationship that can Last a Lifetime.
Expectant fathers prepare for the arrival of their daughters differently than do mothers. Setting the stage now for developing those bonds is crucial.
Part 1 - Understanding Your Role as Father
If you are a father who is expecting a new daughter, whether by birth or adoption, you will likely be experiencing a myriad of emotions. Am I ready to be a father? What will my daughter be like? What will she need from me? Will I be a good father? Some days you may feel confident and ready, and others you may be wondering if you will ever feel ready to be a good father to your daughter.
Inevitably these thoughts may bring you back to your own relationship with your father. There may be aspects of this relationship that bring positive and warm memories. And for some, your relationship with your own father might be laced with disappointment or even pain, if your relationship is a less than satisfying one.
One of the reasons it is important to examine your own relationship is to help you to not repeat the same mistakes you may have made. One pastor I know takes all of the expectant parents in his congregation through a series of classes that require some introspective work before the baby arrives. This coursework is designed to identify how you may be affected by your own relationship with your parents to prevent passing down your baggage to another generation.
While we often emphasize the importance of the role of the mother, the reality is that fathers play a huge role in the lives of their children. The relationship they play in their daughters' lives is crucial. If you are an expectant father and you have never been told that your role in your daughter's life will affect her on many levels, it is the truth. Ask any adult woman on the street today and she will tell you the same.
Here are just a handful of ways that your role will affect your daughter's life as her father:
- How she identifies herself as a young girl and then later as a woman.
- Her choice of mate as she seeks relationships.
- Her level of confidence in her own abilities and gifts.
- Whether or not she feels valued or esteemed as an adult.
This can be daunting when right now you might only be thinking about whether or not you will make enough money for braces and a college education!
The good news is that you will be learning every day and you won't have to have all of the answers right up front. In our series on Fathers and Daughters, we will be exploring many aspects of your important role to make and shape your precious daughter through the years into a healthy woman. Part 1 is simply whetting your appetite and helping you identify that your role is indeed an important one.
We would love to hear from you on our forum if you are an expectant father and have questions.
Watch for Part 2 coming soon!
