Single Dads Rising To The Challenge Of Raising Strong Daughters
These single dads prove that not all heroes wear capes. In their daughters' eyes, they are heroes. They took it upon themselves to learn everything from how to braid hair to how to show their daughters the kind of treatment they should expect from their boyfriends. No daddy issues here.
It's Scary But Possible
Let's start off by saying that being a dad is no easy task in the first place, let alone being a single father, and even less as a single dad to a little girl. It's a terrifying thought to think that your child might not get all her needs fulfilled because of the absence of that motherly instinct and touch.
However, those little girls sometimes grow up to be some of the strongest women.
Smiling Through The Pain
A month is really not long, even for a child. This means that the memories of the mom leaving, no matter the circumstances, would still be fresh on their minds.
Seeing that the kids are still smiling is a reflection on the dad's ability to make them smile even when they are experiencing hardships.
No One To Argue With
Before you panic, The death row cover was for the 1996 issue of Vibe Magazine featuring Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Tupac, and Suge Knight of Death Row Records. It was responsible for driving the conversation around hip-hop and R&B.
As a single dad, you can make the executive decision of teaching your kids this music lesson without another parent fighting you on it.
A Built-In Best Friend
You know you're doing something right when your daughter would rather skip on a day full of activities, arts and crafts, singalongs, friends, and toys just to snuggle up to you.
Hair aside, it's clear these two will be best friends for life.
Divorce Doesn't Mean Choosing
A common fear for dads going through a divorce is that their daughters will latch onto their moms and either blame them, turn on them, or simply not have the time to see them.
Getting this kind of reassurance from his daughter is proof that she's not choosing a side, and she loves her dad no matter what.
Double The Trouble
In some cases, it's harder to raise a daughter when you also have a son. You don't want all the attention to be given to one kid, and you want the girl to still be able to feel feminine and do the activities the boy wouldn't necessarily find interesting.
Finding a balance between the two is an accomplishment all dads should feel proud of.
Multiply By Four
Let's have a moment of silence for the dads who not have one or two daughters, not even three, but four daughters. That's four times the varying personalities, tantrums, needs, fashion sense, and everything that comes along with that.
It's no wonder he sometimes feels the need to "commiserate about parenting."
The Original And Everlasting Valentine
This little girl will one day grow up and probably have a significant other fill the role of her valentine. Still, she will be able to remember who her original valentine was ever since she was little, and that was her dad.
This is the standard she will set for any other potential suitor.
Let's Talk About Braids
Let's point out that even women struggle to braid their own hair. Figuring out how to braid your daughter's hair is an under-celebrated milestone.
Even if this hairstyle doesn't seem advanced to experienced braiders, his daughter loved it. As he said, that's all that matters.
Bonding Activities
Who said that raising a daughter means that all forms of entertainment have to come in a form of a tea party? It's all about finding an activity you both enjoy doing together.
Sharing the activities he likes will encourage her own interests. She'll look forward to them not only because she enjoys them, but also because she gets to share them with her dad.
The Hair Brushing
If you've ever lived with a woman, you've gotten to experience her array of lotions, conditioners, after conditioners, combs, and brushes that each have a very specific purpose.
This starts out young. Having longer and wavier hair means needing to learn how to care for it.
The Best Father's Day Gift
This is a match made in heaven. If you've ever wondered if the universe truly does ever give you a sign, does being a single dad to a girl born on Father's Day count as enough of a sign?
You can tell from the way he's holding her up that she's truly his little princess.
Conquering The Teenage Years
It's easy to feel like a hero in a little girl's eyes, but that doesn't mean that feeling has to be lost when they get older. It just takes on new meaning.
For teenage girls, it just means finding the ways to connect with them that make the most sense to their growing personalities. For some, Starbucks and Krispy Kreme car rides will do the trick.
The Secret Ingredient Is Love
This one may not be as feasible for all single dads, as it takes quite the talented baker to put together a hula cake.
However, what truly matters is the effort and the thinking outside the box. Little girls can appreciate those little things.
It's Not About Pretending
Clearly, from this dad's face, he's not loving being a princess, yet he's letting his daughter have her fun anyway. That's all she needed to put on the biggest grin.
Being a single dad isn't about pretending to know or like everything the daughter does, but to allow her to be and enjoy all that she is.
Learning To Love New Activities
Sometimes you don't even have to debate whether you should pretend to enjoy your daughter's activities because you surprise yourself with how truthfully you truly do.
Spa dates, for example, are relaxing and allow dads to experience activities they wouldn't otherwise think to indulge in by themselves.
Beauty Has Many Facets
Depending on the girl's personality, beauty treatments with Dad don't always stop at face masks. Some girls want to experiment with makeup and nail polish, and they need the space and encouragement to do so.
The absence of another woman around shouldn't limit them from doing so.
The Attachment Is On Both Ends
Don't be surprised when raising a daughter alone unleashes a whole new side of you. It opens up a father to levels of emotion and vulnerability that maybe he wouldn't be able to experience to the same extent when sharing the role.
This makes saying goodbye at the kindergarten that much harder.
Shopping For The Right Dress
Being a single dad means going on excursions that they wouldn't normally be a part of. Shopping, for example, is often a trip that mothers go on with their daughters.
This gives their daughters a unique perspective but doesn't prevent them from being able to choose their perfect dress.
Dads Get To Play Dress-Up Too
It's not always enough to simply watch as the little girls play dress-up—often, what they need is someone to share the experience with. Plus, little girls will often find it that much more amusing because they're aware that dads don't typically wear makeup.
The laugh they get out of it alone makes it worth it.
Bath Time For All
Being a single dad doesn't go on pause when the daughter goes to be with her mother. Often, they surprise themselves with how much they miss their little girls in their time apart.
So to deal with it, they get creative with situations they never thought they'd be in, like giving a stuffed bunny a bath.
The All-In-One Package
We've seen dads enjoy spa time, tea parties, and makeup experimenting separately, but on some days, having a daughter means getting a taste of all those experiences at the same time.
They need to stay occupied one way or another.
Teaching By Example
"I'm a single dad. My daughter asked when I'd teach her how to shave her legs. Well, today was the day..."
Leading by example doesn't just apply to values and behavior; sometimes it applies to quite literal actions, like how to shave legs.
A Superhero Is Also A Fairy
This single father dressed as a fairy and princess with his daughter at the Renaissance Festival.
This is a prime example of a father who wants to ensure his daughter doesn't feel like she's missing out on anything simply because he's not her mother.
Making Her Feel Special
Little girls often associate feeling special with feeling like a princess. Little do they know princesses actually have to deal with politics and responsibilities.
While she's still young and blissfully ignorant, this dad wanted to make sure his daughter felt like the most carefree princess on her birthday.
Emotional Support Goes Both Ways
Dads might think they're the ones who are providing all the support to their daughters, but their kids will surprise them with how much support they're willing and capable of giving back.
Driving probably feels scary to the inexperienced daughter, so she'll lend support where she can.
Cherished Forever
Single dads will end up wanting to cherish every moment with their little girls because, in the blink of an eye, they'll grow up and lead their own lives as strong and confident women.
Some dads cherish this memory by wearing it on their sleeve forever. To them, even when she's a woman, they'll always remember her as their little girl.
Her Knight In Shining Armor
Daughters often feel safest in their dad's arms. They know that their dads will always protect and fight off any monsters under the bed who will try to take them.
That is enough to make any grown man's heart melt.
Peanut Butter Jelly Time
It's not uncommon for young girls to make very odd and specific requests—not because they're bratty, but because it makes them feel special.
This pushes their dads to have to learn new skills and put their artistic skills to the test.
Midnight Cravings
Little girls are basically miniature women. The same way women will say they're not hungry then eat all your fries, young girls might randomly get a craving for pancakes at midnight.
When the opportunity allows it, their cravings will create moments of bonding.