Someone once told me that the best thing I could do for my daughter, is to love her mother. I always agreed with him but, never really got it until recently. This goes to so many levels.
How I love her mother in front of her will teach her what love is and what she should expect from men when she grows up. How I treat her mother will teach her how to let men treat her when she’s older. How I talk to her mother will teach her how to talk to people and make her think it’s okay for men to talk to her that way someday, good or bad.
My actions, especially now that she’s three and really starting to understand the world around her, will mold her into the women she’s to become. Not solely by myself, her mothers actions and responses to my behaviors will play a significant role as well but, my actions are and will continue to impact the outcome of the women my daughter will soon be.
So, the best thing I can do for my daughter is to love her mother. Treat her with respect, love her, never argue in front of her, talk to her without harsh words and remember that my daughter is a walking copy cat. Learning everyday from my behaviors and if I want her to grow up to be kind, loving, loyal, understanding, patient and strong. That I need to lead by example and be those things for her. Not just sometimes but, consistently to show her this is the way she should be always.
I’m flawed in this, while I know this, I am not the best example and sometimes have a tough time playing the role as father rather then friend to my daughter. Mostly because I always want for her to consider me not only her father but, her best friend. But, to be a good friend and father is going to be to lead by example and hold her accountable for her actions someday. I won’t be able to do that if I’m telling her to act a way other then the way that I display.
This is something I’m going to start working on now. Working on being a better role model, father and friend by teaching my daughter, by example, how to behave and how to be treated as a young women so that one day she continues to grow up into the wonderful young women that she’s already becoming.
The best thing you can do for your child, boy or girl, is to love and respect their mother.