🌟Weekly Inspiration🌟

This week I heard Malala Yousafzai speak at our Distinguished Speaker Series. She is the Pakistani young woman that was outspoken about the right to education for girls and was shot by the Taliban at 15 years old. She survived and has gone on to be an activist for women’s rights and was the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. She was quite IMPRESSIVE! When asked who inspired her, she said her father. From the start, he was proud to have a daughter (in a culture and time when the birth of sons was revered). He was an educator, ran the school next door to their home—and encouraged her to think, speak, and learn. He spent quality time with her, saw her clearly for who she was becoming, and believed in her. She said that he is a feminist and an activist and this made her proud.

It got me thinking about the role of fathers, especially for girls and young women. It seems that there is permission for men today to be involved, deeply attached, and enjoy their daughters. This is encouraged today in a way that it might not have been in previous generations, which is wonderful. For some fathers, this comes naturally and for some, this might be challenging. Without question, a father's influence in his daughter's life shapes her self-esteem, self-image, confidence, and opinions of men. I’ve had a number of therapy sessions lately where adolescent girls talk about their tender connections to their fathers. Sometimes dads have a way of diffusing a situation, giving a new perspective, being non-judgmental, or comforting that is different and preferred than what mothers have to offer! It’s a generalization, but often there is a conflict between mothers and daughters during the teen years—and it can be a great parenting strategy to let Dad take over during conflicts, setting boundaries, and providing feedback.

Some reasons why Fathers are so important for Daughters:

1. Dads Create the Gold Standard for Future Romantic Relationships
2. A Father’s Love and Acceptance Greatly Impact Future Confidence 
3. Girls with Involved Fathers Do Better Academically
4. Fathers Often Encourage Their Daughters to Take Risks and Be Adventurous
5. Supportive Fathers Can Help Improve Their Daughter’s Body Image

https://tinybeans.com/5-reasons-dads-are-so-important-to-their-daughters/

Let’s aim to be the kind of parent that someday our children say inspired them 😊. We know how important mothers are, but often fathers get overlooked. Please forward this email to the fathers out there that might not understand their value at home. I have noticed that fathers often need mothers to get out of their way so they can have a great relationship with their children ❤️.

Ask yourself:
 

How was my relationship with my Father? How did it impact my life and feelings about myself?
Who inspired me?
If my partner and I are divorced, how can I support a relationship with the other parent so that my child can benefit from knowing each parent? 
How can I support my children in having good relationships with their father?
If I am a mother, do I need to shift/relinquish control/make room for my children to be close to their father?  Why might this be hard for me?
If my children don’t have a father in their life, how can I provide some positive role models for them?

Be well⭐