To all the fathers out there. like myself, you struggle with connecting with your daughters. Older or younger girls are complicated people, ( if you were ever married you know what I mean). When me and my wife split up it was tough not only on me but my children as well. You go from seeing your child’s smiling face everyday to once or twice a week and every other weekend if you are lucky. I have come to quickly find out that you need to take advantage of every chance you get with your kids. Spend time with them, talk to them, be involved in everything they do. Me having girls, we have “daddy daughter days”. I know what you are thinking, I play with them or take them to dance class or whatever is the same thing. No its not. I will take my girls on a real date, just one on one. maybe go to the park, go to dinner, go painting or shopping. but spend time one on one. you dont have to spend a lot of money for it to be a good time. The first time i had a daddy daughter date with my oldest, i picked her up and bought her flowers. we went and got our nails done ( because they do better then i do) and went to eat dinner at her favorite place, chic fil a. To see her eyes light up just spending time with her dad was great.
at the end of the day, you are your child’s dad and every child needs a dad. us single dads sometimes get that bad image on us because we are a “dead beat” or we dont care because we aren’t with our child every day. I love my children just like every other dad out there. It was out of my hands for me not being able to see them every day. MAKE THE MOST OF THE TIME YOU GET. put your phone away and talk to your kids play with them. Before you know it they will be moving out and starting a family of there own. you dont want to regret the time missed. Be creative and have fun. it will be memories i know that my kids will never forget and i hope to always be able to do daddy daughter days even when they are grown up.
hug your kids and hold them tight. tell them you love them way to much. dont be afraid about doing something because “you are a man and men dont do nails or hair”. dont let your ego get so big that you wont dance like a idiot in public to make your kids laugh. Be the father you know your child deserves.
most importantly, HAVE FUN!