by N. A. Hernandez

Created on: January 17, 2008

Just as it is difficult for a woman to raise a son without a male figure, it is equally as hard for a man to raise a daughter without a female figure. Although the bond with father and daughter is like no other it can be difficult for a girl to talk to her dad about certain things. Since the father can not talk first hand about certain things a girl goes through in life, he can do research and become educated in ways to help his daughter.

For fathers it is important to raise your daughter with some of the same morals and values you would instill in your son. Teach them to be independent, strong, able to learn from her mistakes, hard working and be able to solve her own problems. Fathers tend to want to baby their little girls and when you are the only parent you must teach them how to take care of themselves in the outside world.

If there is a female in your life that can help you with your daughter like a sister, your mom, or a long term girlfriend, then ask them certain ways that you can talk to your daughter. Even have them help out and talk directly to your daughter to offer a woman's point of view for her. If it is a girlfriend then you want to make sure it is one that is going to be there in a moth or so. You do not want to bring to many people in and out of her life.

Your daughter may already be grieving the loss of her mother or just the nonexistence of her, so be supportive and lean a shoulder for her to cry on. It does not mean that she does not value you as a parent, it just means it is hard for her to be without her mom. Talk to her about her mom and leave negativity out of the conversation. No matter what the circumstances for her mom being absent, don't make your daughter grow hatred for her.

Fathers can and have been shown in studies to greatly affect a girls self esteem. So make sure you compliment her and talk to her on a daily basis. Make sure you tell her that you love her and are always going to be there for her. Girls are emotional beings and even though it may be hard for you to say certain things, it is essential for your daughter to hear them.

For a daughter to hear her father tell her he loves her, or she is beautiful can make her feel so proud and happy inside. Hearing it from a man instead a woman is a different feeling for her. You as a parent are her first teacher, so treat her well and make sure you support her and talk to her often about things.

In certain aspects you are going to want to build her knowledge and self esteem so she can

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