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Fathers have an incalculable impact on their daughters. Most psychologists believe, and I am one of them, that all future romantic relationships are influenced positively or negatively by the way a girl interacts with her dad in her childhood years.
A father holds the keys to his daughter's feminine identity, her sense of self-worth, and her future relationships. A dad's affirmation, or the lack thereof, will play a role in every aspect of her life, even influencing her choice of a marital partner.
Question: Dr. Dobson, what place should fear occupy in a child's attitude toward his mother or father?
A dad occupies a very special place in his child's heart. Take time to cultivate a strong relationship with your son or daughter.
I have a great deal of resentment and anger toward my father for what he did to me and my mother when I was a child. I have struggled with these deep feelings for years; I don’t want to hurt him, but I can’t forget the pain he caused me and the rest of our family. How can I come to terms with this problem?
Let's look more closely at what constitutes "a good family man" in today's world. To put that in perspective, it might be helpful to examine four traditional roles that men have played at home.
A boy watches his dad closely, so the best example a father can set is to follow Jesus. Brenen Beeler explains that imitating Christ sets the tone for the home. When a dad lives for the Lord, he lays a strong foundation for raising a godly man.
Question: Dr. Dobson, my wife works hard to teach my sons to respect me as their father, and that makes my job with them easier. Even when she is upset with me, she never lets the kids know about it. Don't you think that is generous of her?
The goal in dealing with a difficult child is to shape the will without breaking the spirit. Hitting both targets is sometimes easier said than done. Perhaps it will help to share a letter from a mother who was having a terrible time with her son Jake. Her description of this child and her responses to him illustrate precisely how not to deal with a difficult boy or girl.
Question: Dr. Dobson, is there a way I, as a father, can influence my daughter's attitude toward boys? If she chooses to marry, she will need to understand men and know how to relate to them.
