Fathers, Daughters, and Promoting Self-worth
Every daughter is an individual, just as each father is his own person. One thing that dads with daughters have in common, is their role in improving their daughter’s confidence. And yes, it may overlap with a mother’s influence as you’re both parents, yet your ability to improve your girl’s confidence is unique. This blog explores the reasons why your influence is so valuable and the steps you can take to promote your daughter’s self-worth. Chances are you’ll boost your own along the way!
Why a Girl’s Self-worth Matters
Girls’ self-worth develops from when they are toddlers and in pre-K, then meets the challenges that can occur during elementary school years. Even at a young age, your daughter can be sensitive to other girls’ criticism or ridicule. Having a dad who is there to boost her self-esteem matters a lot in the face of children’s subtle forms of taunting. Even when a father is no longer living in the same household as his daughter, his consistent presence and contributions shape her future.
Each father who is actively present for his daughter contributes to her:
Ability to make healthy choices,
Perform well in school,
Being able to avoid trouble and potential run-ins with the law,
Making safe choices regarding intimate relationships, and
Living in financial security as a child and later as an adult.
In the reality of young females’ lives, this list is longer. Rather than expand on that, let’s delve into the steps to take to improve your daughter’s confidence and reliance on herself to make good choices.
Ways to Improve Your Daughter’s Confidence
You can create multiple ways to build your daughter’s confidence. Ideally, this starts when she is quite young. The important thing to remember is that it’s never too late to start. Girls look up to their fathers and welcome their attention and affirmation. When that is positive attention, it sets a girl up for seeking out supportive relationships throughout her life. Fortunately, there are ways to improve your girl’s confidence each and every day!
Listen to what she’s saying about her interests and herself.
Ask her to do things with you, including those that support her mom.
Prepare a meal and/or clean up afterward.
Take a daughter and father outing to a place of her choosing.
Let her help you with fixit chores around the house and yard, showing her how to work machinery when age-appropriate.
Show her the dance steps and moves you learned when you were her age. Chances are this will involve laughter!
Assure her self-esteem and safety without holding her back.
If your daughter has an interest in an activity that has risks, talk together about what’s needed to proceed safely.
When she wants to take on an academic challenge, being there to support her while giving her the space to say when she wants your help, is a confidence-booster.
Be an active listener! If she wants to ramble on about friends, her hopes and dreams, or concerns about school, just sit back and pay attention. Nod your head and when the time is right, tell her you’re there for her.
Hold off on giving advice unless she asks for it or you’re concerned for her safety and well-being.
Let her take risks and then support her if things go sideways, such as just having a tough time learning a new language.
Signs that Your Daughter’s Self-worth is Thriving
You’re likely aware that your daughter has a lot of pressures, some due to social media. Some adolescent role models set a standard that is unrealistic and sometimes downright unhealthy. Your daughter’s responses to peer influences at school and online is one way you can determine changes in her self-worth. Those that let you know she is thriving include her:
More often seeking you out for your company and/or your opinion about something.
School grades either stay the same or improve.
Talking with you about her emotions and why she sometimes feels moody.
Using critical thinking to objectively talk about the pluses and minuses of social media platforms.
Wanting to hear about your youth, what you liked for music and shows, plus what trends were in at the time.
Sharing her thoughts with you about her future. What she wants to study, trips she’d like to take, things she’s not interested in.
Each step you take to promote your daughter’s self-worth lets her know that you are there for her 100%. Just as we at Mindful Healing are here for you when some professional support will help you in parenting your daughter, or son.
