5 things every dad dreams of teaching his daughter

On the Internet there are many lists from the series"Things that a father owes." But how can one scratch one relationship, which in each case is unique? In an attempt to ignore this inconvenient fact, the authors of the notes often use cliches like "Inspire your daughter that she is unique." And everything would be fine, but only nobody explains how to do it. No one except the pope, whose lessons have been published alone.

1. I want my daughter to know: I'm always around

Photo: giphy.comI think most of the fathers, especially if the guy does not have a sister or was raised in a patriarchal family, do not always understand what it means to raise a daughter. They ask their little ones gifts: let them feel special, "little princesses." I'm a simple writer, so I do not have a lot of money and the opportunity to prove to her daughter her uniqueness through expensive gifts. Instead of dolls, ornaments and video games, I give it myself, my time and attention. And I'm not sure that if I had at least a machine for printing money, I would act differently. My gifts for my daughter: put aside the phone and computer and take her to school in the morning, go to the basketball court before dinner, spend half an hour on home task or ride a boat on the lake during the holidays - only she and I. All that a daughter needs to make her feel that she is the most important person in your world is your presence in a school play or a basketball game. Full presence, no hang in the phone. It's much more valuable than the most expensive and cool doll you'll ever find.

2. I want her to know how to avoid violence

Photo: giphy.After reading the internet, I realized that most fathers are obsessed with teaching daughters to fight. Motives are clear: it is important to teach your daughter to protect herself in case of an attack. But, in my opinion, it is much more important to teach the daughter to avoid situations in which the ability to fight can be useful. I also taught my daughter to box - as I could. But only because we both liked it. Of course, I'm a little calmer because she can stand up for herself. But first of all I teach my daughter to leave conflicts. And if it does not work out - then how to dodge, evade the impact and escape.

3. I want my daughter to know that women are as cheerful as men.

Photo: giphy.My son is 10, and he thinks that the expression "diarrhoeic song" is very funny. I tried to explain to him that for any person over the age of 11 this expression is not at all ridiculous, moreover, for any person from 12 to 100 years the very word "diarrhea" is associated with something rude, awkward and inappropriate. At the same time my daughter has a great sense of humor. But for some reason she giggles over her brother's joke, probably just to support him. Perhaps my son will learn to joke well when toilet humor develops. But after all the daughter already cheerful and humorous, simply does not understand it. I want my daughter to know that she can joke, that women know how to joke, despite the statements of many people about the opposite - they can not make anyone laugh.

4. I will prove to my daughter that there is no limit to her abilities

Photo: giphy.com And I will not give up. It's cool - to tell your daughter that she can become anything when she grows up. True, without convincing and realistic evidence, your statement is not worth a penny. So yes, my daughter and I watched the National Congress of the Democratic Party, we listened to the thankful speech of Hillary Clinton, who became the first woman to be a presidential candidate from one of the most influential parties in the country (to be honest, we think that the speech was boring, but the creation of history - not always an interesting occupation). Anyway, now that I tell her that she can become anything she wants, and her daughter, looking at me with big brown eyes, will specify: "Even the president?", I can answer: "Of course, dear!" And not in such a tone that I tell her what the Easter bunny does when there is no Easter.

5. I want my daughter to know how much I've learned from her

Photo: giphy.comI had a dream of introducing my daughter to all the “cool” bands that I listened to myself. But instead she listens to Katy Perry. Well, that’s cool… I’m not a music snob. And I certainly don’t plan on becoming one, so I listen to Katy Perry with my daughter… Then I listen to Katy Perry myself. Now I can say that she makes fun pop music that’s perfect for middle-aged men who jump rope. And much of her later work has a certain message that young ladies like my daughter really need. So why not love Katy Perry’s work? And here’s what all those “dad should” lists miss. My daughter forces me to think outside the box, to try new things, to step out of my comfort zone. When we talk about what fathers should teach their daughters, we miss everything they can teach us in return. I could make a list of hundreds of things my daughter taught me. But instead I'd rather say, "Thank you for introducing me to Katy Perry, baby."