Valuable tips for single dads to relate to a teenage daughter

It was just the other day that I read the story of a single father and how he was successful in bring up his teenage daughter; this reminded me of how my uncle as a single parent brought up my teenage cousin. I sure think his valuable tips can make any single dad “a Super Dad”

Teenage is a very important and delicate phase in a child’s life when they feel a sense of independence yet look up to the parents for support and advice. They begin to separate more from their parents and look up to their peers for insight and advice.

This may seem traumatic for especially single dads whose little girl rolls her eyes at everything the dad says, but rest assured they need to understand the growing pains of their daughter.

They can follow a few valuable tips to bond with their teenage/adolescent daughter.

1. Fathers especially single ones may not know exactly what is going on in their daughter’s mind, body and mind. It would help single dads to connect better and communicate with their teenage daughter if they learn a bit about what she’s going through and why.

2. Most dads constantly want to give their daughters advice about the world; they could bond better with their daughters if they learn to not specifically give advice to daughters unless they ask for it. You need not fix things for your daughter, but should learn to patiently and empathically listen to her. Most teenage daughters want their parents especially single dads to listen to them; she needs to know that you trust her to manage things herself. 

3. Show your teenage daughter that you love her both physically and emotionally and by words; she is still your own little daughter who loves to be kissed and hugged. Go one step further and reassure her often that you love her. Also make the effort sometimes to pat her on her back and place a kiss on her forehead. Your teenager loves to know that you still love her.

 4. Go a step further and talk to her and know her interests. Then make an effort to take extra interest in those interests; if she loves dancing, go out dancing with her and listen to her favorite music numbers with her. Also plan out special dates with her only and spend some time doing things she loves; also talk with her about her favorite topics.

5. Show her that you respect womanhood and talk to her respectfully about her mother and other women in the family; this simple expression can lay the groundwork for the relationships your daughter chooses later in life. She would also learn that she also needs respect as a woman that would bind her for life with you.

6. Help her out and be ready to stand by her side in all the ups and downs she faces; assure her that she can come to you for all help. E.g. If she needs a ride to meet her friends offer to take her; this would also give you some one on one time to be with each other. 

7. Be sympathetic when she is sometimes rude or emotional; it could also be due to the hormonal changes she is undergoing. Then be ready to listen to her if she needs some sympathetic and empathic hearing.

8. Tutor your teenage daughter to be independent; at an appropriate time share your specialty knowledge with her; teach her to change a tire or to hit a fastball.

True it is both difficult and rewarding being a single dad; however you can connect better with your daughter with these valuable tips and let her know you’re still there for her.