Fathers and Daughters
The relationship between a father and a daughter is a powerful thing. A girl’s self-esteem can be affected by how good of a relationship she has with her father. A dad is a role model whether he wants to be or not. Girls look at their dads to determine how men are suppose to treat women and how boys are suppose to act towards girls. Abby is lucky to have a dad who is not only a good role model but also one who is willing to take her out camping.
Last week Mike and Abby enjoyed a quick overnight trip into the Quetico Park. The time they spent together paddling and camping without mom and brother was priceless. One on one time with dad isn’t something Abby gets alot of, but when she does you can tell it makes a difference. She acts differently after being the soul target of her dad’s attention; her self-confidence becomes even more obvious. Of course a canoe camping trip is great for a person’s self-esteem too, but I think Abby really shines after spending alone time with her dad.
If you have a daughter and a free weekend then think about bringing her up to the Boundary Waters on a quick canoe trip. It’s a place where dads and daughters can connect, spend time together, and develop a relationship that will benefit her for the rest of her life.
TIPS FOR DADS from Dads and Daughters website
- Listen to girls. Focus on what is really important — what your daughter thinks, believes, feels, dreams and does — rather than how she looks.
- Encourage her strength and celebrate her savvy. Help your daughter learn to recognize, resist and overcome barriers.
- Respect her uniqueness, urge her to love her body and discourage dieting.
- Get physically active with her. Play catch, tag, jump rope, basketball, Frisbee, hockey, soccer or just take walks. Physically active girls are less likely to get pregnant, drop out of school or put up with abuse.
- Get involved in your daughter’s school. Volunteer, chaperone, read to her class. Ask tough questions. Does the school have body image awareness programs? Are more boys in advanced math and science classes? Are at least half the student leaders girls?
- Get involved in your daughter’s activities. Volunteer to drive, coach, direct a play, teach a class. Demand equality for girls.
- Take your daughter to work with you. Participate in April’s Take Our Daughters to Work Day and make sure your business participates.
- Support positive alternative media for girls. Watch programs that portray smart, savvy girls. Subscribe to magazines with healthy messages for girls.
- Talk to other fathers. There’s a lot you can learn from each other.
— KRT