5 Important Things to Know About Raising Girls
After I shared the five important things to know about raising boys, it’s only fair that I now share the five important things to know about raising girls!
Table of Contents
1. Raising girls comes with a lot of emotions
My daughter is only seven years old, so I can’t speak to the teenage years just yet.
However, I do know that the emotions that my daughter displays are vastly different than her twin brother.
But, it’s okay. As a parent, it’s my job to work through the different emotions with my daughter. It’s a lot sometimes. But I remind her that it’s okay to cry. And it’s okay to take a minute and gather your thoughts!
2. Your daughter needs positive feedback
When your daughter gets into kindergarten, everything starts to change. She makes new friends. And she starts to learn more about herself.
This is where you need to make sure you’re providing constant positive feedback with your daughter.
Every night before bed, I tell my kids how proud of them I am. My daughter’s confidence has continued to grow over the past year. Giving that positive feedback and showing your daughter that you have her back is going to do wonders to your daughter’s confidence!
3. Everyone respects the dad with fingernail polish on
I started to lose track how many times my daughter has painted my fingernails.
It’s a great activity to work on fine motor skills when your daughter is young! Let them be creative and bond with you.
My daughter loves painting my nails and she thinks it’s so funny. Sometimes, if I’m feeling brave, I’ll even let her put makeup on my face!
If you are looking for fun party games, here is a fun twist on using nail polish at a party!
4. Building up your daughter’s confidence is crucial
One thing to remember here is that every child is different.
But with my daughter, I noticed that her confidence can be low at times as she compares herself to her twin brother and her friends at school.
Now, I am learning that raising twins comes with parenting struggles and comparing your twins to one another can be a struggle to overcome.
So, it’s important to build up your daughter’s confidence with every opportunity that you have.
5. Your daughter hears everything
Sure, sometimes kids choose not to listen to their parents.
But that’s not what I’m talking about here.
Now that my daughter is seven years old, I’ve been noticing that she hears everything within earshot.
The conversation about finances between my wife and I. The moments where my wife and I need to make a big decision.
My daughter hears it all. She then asks about said conversations in detail, like she is supposed to be part of the conversation.
Even when we try to spell out words so she doesn’t understand…she finds a way.
Choose your words and conversations carefully around your daughter. They hear everything.
16 Responses
Great tips. It is so important for a Dad to be involved in his daughter’s life. I think that last tip is gold because we underestimate how much children pick up and understand. I can remember understanding a lot more about what was going on than my parents thought when I was young.
Building your girl’s confidence is everything. I am a certified daddy’s girl and I never feel insecure because my dad made sure I know who I am. Thank you for reminding dads out there
Nothile,
Aw, I love to hear that! Thanks for sharing 🙂
-Derek
Hilary,
I agree with you 100%! Even my two year old is catching onto things a lot quicker than I realize!! Thanks for reading 🙂
-Derek
Some really good tips here. I did laugh when I read that everyone respects a dad with nail polish
Melanie,
Glad you got a laugh 🙂 It’s true…haha. Thanks for reading!
-Derek
These are such great tips. While positive feedback is okay, we also need to criticize them without trumpling on their self-esteem (?) And building their confidence is something I noticed even boys need at that age, although you are right, girls need it a little more. I would love to hear some of the ways you have used to build your girl’s confidence so far. I have a toddler and am taking every suggestion I can get.
Wow this was a long comment haha
Thanks for shring your insights. We have a doughter. And a young boy. Girls become very attached to dads over the years. And yes, she hears and adopts EVERYTHING so fast!
This is so lovely to hear these coming from a father. Girls needs all of these and more. Thanks for sharing
AB,
Glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for reading!
-Derek
Great tips! Thanks for sharing Dad!
Kacy,
You’re welcome! Thanks for reading!
-Derek
We have loved having girls. Just sent our youngest daughter off to college and the emptiness at home is crazy. Enjoy them everyday!
Jolayne,
Having a daughter is such a blessing 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
-Derek
My daughter has made life quite interesting to put it mildly. She is a whopping emotional time bomb. I find like your daughter, she does a lot of comparison between herself and her siblings and fellow friends. She suffers with self-esteem issues something fierce. I blame our society for that a lot. It’s a cruel world our kids live in today. My daughter will be 12 in December, but sometimes it feels like she is going on 15.
Crystal,
Oh yes, I am with you and can relate! Unfortunately, it is a tough world out there, but do your best as a parent and she will be okay! 🙂
-Derek