If you’re a dad with a daughter, one of your primary tasks is to set the tone for her future relationships with men. Are you warm and nurturing? If so, she will eventually look for a husband with similar qualities. Do you communicate that she’s beautiful and feminine? She’ll be inclined to see herself in the way that you perceive her to be. If you convey strength by blending love and discipline, your daughter will be more comfortable with a give-and-take marriage characterized by mutual respect. But if you reject her, she is likely to spend her life trying to find a man who can meet the needs you never fulfilled in her heart.
One effective way to build up your daughter’s self-esteem is to take her on regular “dates,” which can begin even in the preschool years and extend into the teens. Let her help plan these outings. Then, open doors for her, help her with her chair, and listen attentively when she speaks. Treat her with the same consideration and respect that Scripture prescribes for your wife (1 Peter 3:7). You’ll create a feeling of self-worth in her heart and begin to establish standards for a future husband, if she chooses to marry. We can’t imagine a better wedding present for a father to give his precious daughter.
Take a Moment to Reflect
- How would you describe your relationship with your daughter?
- What is her current attitude toward men?
- In what ways can you prepare your daughter for a successful marriage?
A Prayer for Dads
Heavenly Father, I want my daughter to know how much I love and value her. Let my every word and deed encourage her heart and help shape her into the woman You desire her to be. Amen.
Excerpted from Dr. James and Shirley Dobson’s book, Night Light for Parents.
