10 Principles Every Father Should Remember When Raising a Daughter
Raising a child is a long journey that requires guidance and role-modeling from parents.
In modern life, both fathers and mothers share responsibilities for earning a living and caring for their children. A father’s attention and guidance play a vital role and bring many benefits to a child’s development—especially for girls. Below are 10 principles every father should keep in mind when raising his daughter.
1. Teach her to do household chores
Many people say, “Girls shouldn’t have to do anything so they’ll have an easy life later.” However, simple tasks like cooking or cleaning are basic life skills that children should learn early. Even if someone may love and take care of her in the future, she should first know how to live well on her own. To teach chores, fathers shouldn’t hesitate to be role models—washing dishes, sweeping the floor, or even sewing clothes for dolls. Your daughter will look at you with admiration.
2. Spend time with her
This is the best advice for any father who wants to be close to his daughter. From the day she is born, change diapers, hold her, take walks, and play with her often. Everyday activities help her feel close to you, strengthen the father-daughter bond, and also help fathers relieve stress from work and life.
3. Don’t hesitate to answer her questions
Don’t say, “Go ask your mom.” Fathers should also answer their children’s questions. Is there really anything she could ask that you can’t answer? And if so, finding the answer together can be even better. In reality, fathers’ answers are often logical, broad in perspective, and carry their own judgment and emotions—making children feel, “My dad is really smart.”
4. Help her correctly identify body parts
Studies show that children who know the names of their body parts from an early age are less embarrassed and communicate better with doctors. According to Laura Palumbo from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), using accurate terms helps children accept and understand their bodies, improves parent-child connection, and helps prevent child abuse.
5. Help your wife proactively—without being asked
Many young mothers don’t know how to ask their husbands for help; sometimes they don’t even realize they need it. This is when fathers should step in. Don’t just ask if there’s anything you can do—stay with the baby, give your wife time to shower, or take her to a medical appointment. If you don’t actively participate in your daughter’s life now, you may end up being a “weekend-only dad.”
6. Be a real father all week, not just on weekends
Both parents work, and evenings and weekends are family time. In many families, only the mother plays with the child while the father claims to be tired and avoids housework in the evening. Over time, this can weaken the father-daughter bond. Even in families where the father works and the mother stays at home, don’t forget how hard she works—help take care of the child whenever you can.
7. Teach self-control and discipline
Psychologists note that playtime between fathers and daughters is extremely important in a child’s life. Children often listen to their fathers more, and a father’s rules are usually taken more seriously.
Daughters often treat their fathers in a special way due to gender differences and because fathers are often less present (spending more time at work). This makes the father’s role in guidance and discipline even more significant.
8. Do gentle tasks—not just “muscle work”
Fathers are often seen as the ones who can open anything, lift heavy objects, or run out late at night to the pharmacy. In reality, a father’s caregiving role should be much broader. You can comfort her in the hospital after a vaccination, help her choose toys at the store, or cool down hot food for her.
9. Treat your daughter equally
Listen when she has something to say, no matter how hard it is to talk about. Don’t ignore her or suppress her negative emotions. Don’t command or threaten. Whether daughter or son, love and respect your child. A positive father figure helps daughters build healthier relationships in the future.
10. Take responsibility for everything around your child
A woman cannot learn all parenting skills in one day after giving birth—but she learns and adapts, and you should too. Don’t miss opportunities to change diapers or hold your child when she cries. Also, be involved in her daily life—her relationships, her challenges at school. It’s wonderful if a father can be someone his daughter feels comfortable opening up to and confiding in.
