11 Reasons Having a Daughter Isn’t What I Expected
“It’s a girl? Get ready for your wallet to get a lot lighter.”
“You think she’s throwing tantrums now, wait till she’s a teenager.”
“Man, I feel sorry for you. You’re going to be outnumbered.”
When we first found out that we were having a girl I had mixed feelings about it. The stereotypical teasing from friends and family members poured in and my dreams of having a little buddy to do guy stuff with faded quickly as nervousness set in.
I spent most of our pregnancy wondering if I would be a good dad. Could I do dress ups, glitter and attend tea parties regularly? Would I even be a good fit in the Barbie community?
I had my doubts.
The big day came and I got to hold my little girl for the first time and instantly my worries evaporated as she looked up at me from her furry little pink blanket.
“Hi, I’m your Dad,” I told her as tears filled my eyes.
She instantly became the center of my world and is the greatest blessing I could have ever imagined.
So, what would I share with my pre-dad nervous self?
For these 11 reasons, having a daughter isn’t what you expect it is going to be, it’s way better.
Photos in this article are by Brittany Busk Photography
1. Her Laugh Will Melt Your Heart:
It’s scientifically proven that a little girl’s laugh can do wonders for a Dad’s health. I still remember the first time she laughed my cholesterol and blood pressure went down to record lows. Her little laugh makes every day worth getting up for. With every daddy monster tickle fight, I know that she knows how much I love her. Knowing I am the funniest guy in her world next to Spongebob gives me a chip on my shoulder because I know I am a superhero to my little girl.
2. She Will Want to Do Everything Like Daddy:
Who says girls can’t do stuff? It’s time to bury that stereotype. I loved this recent ad that talked about the strength of little girls. They can be just as tough and strong willed as any little boy can. Recently, from the US women’s soccer team we’ve learned that girls can even be better at sports than guys. As my daughter grows, she always wants to be strong like Dad and it’s been great to teach her that she can be.
3. Diaper Changes Don’t Require Ponchos:
Kids are directly correlated to messes. Regardless of their age, destruction tends to follow them wherever they go. However, with girls the rate of cleanliness is much higher, especially when it comes to the bathroom. I have heard horror stories from friends about the kinds of uncleanliness that boys can bring when it comes to potty time. Whether it’s during a diaper change or potty training, the spray range is greatly diminished with girls. Blow outs happen, sure, but it is relieving to know that diaper changes do not require dodgeball-esque maneuvering with a girl.
4. Daddy Daughter Dates:
It’s frightening to think that someday, I am going to have to deal with dating. I invested in the shotgun already, but I have decided that it’s better to show my little girl what kind of guy she should be looking for when she is 35 and old enough to date. I take her on a weekly Daddy Daughter date. Nothing fancy, sometimes just a walk to the park or if she’s been good to get some ice cream. Not only is this a great opportunity for us to go out and have fun together, but it is a chance to teach her how a real man treats a lady. Chivalry isn’t dead unless you let her believe it is. Small things like opening her door and telling her how great she is will set a standard for potential suitors in the future.
5. She’ll Teach You the Importance of Accessorizing:
I thought I was fashion aware in my wardrobe selection until I had my first dress up experience with my little princess. She couldn’t get enough makeup, shoes or tiaras on. Her attention to detail and her need to have just the right accessories showed me how much more time I need to be spending in my life to make myself presentable. I may not have important appointments with the stuffed frog king and his wife, Sally the hippo, like she does, but she has taught me I need to make an effort to “look cute” every day.
6. You Will Fall More In Love With Your Wife:
My parents had a sign in their home while I was growing up that read, “The best thing a father can do for his children, is to love their mother.” Having a daughter has helped me understand that on a deeper level. I am more aware of the way I speak to and treat my wife because I know she is watching me. I want her to learn what to look for in a husband through my example. This has helped me to intentionally be a better husband and make my marriage my biggest priority in my life.
7. There is A Lot Of Strength In Meekness:
Men are taught that if you can’t get something done the right way, use force. However, does being loud and boisterous show how strong a man is? Not at all. Daughters teach fathers that being soft and emotionally aware can have a stronger positive influence in an individual’s life than a display of aggression. I was once asked what the biggest change in my life has been since becoming a Dad to a little girl. I replied that I now had access to areas of emotion I did not know previously existed. Being in tune with the emotional well being of others has helped me grow into a better man and father.
8. Sometimes, She Just Needs Her Mom:
Life is tough and life as a girl is tougher. There are so many things that go on in a girl’s day that a Dad could never comprehend. Dads are hard wired to want to fix and terminate anything that brings their daughters harm. We can’t always understand that sometimes a girl just needs a hug. In times like those, I am grateful to have my wife. She has a level of insight into our little girl’s world that I could never fathom. I have a greater appreciation for my wife’s role as a mother now, as I have watched her empathize and encourage our daughter to be better every day. If my daughter is smart, she’ll want to grow up to be just like her.
9. Presence is Better than Presents:
It was a rainy Tuesday night and I was on my phone checking social media when I felt a cold hand adjust my face away from my phone and towards a barbie getting a pedicure. Busted. I was in the room, but I wasn’t really there. My attention was not where it needed to be and my sweet little two year old had enough gumption to let me know. I read somewhere once that love is spelt T-I-M-E and it is especially important when you have a daughter. If I don’t spend time teaching her vital lessons about things like her self image, then someone else will. Letting the Kardashians teach her what it means to be beautiful instead of me would be a definite parenting fail.
10. TuTu’s Are Flattering in the Right Lighting:
A family member once told me that becoming a dad means you are instantly promoted to become the CEO of Memories, Incorporated in your family. This means embracing and diving head first into the land of make believe. That’s right, tea parties, Doc McStuffins, dancing to Katy Perry and playing dress up are all a part of my everyday world with my daughter. Surprisingly though, the look on her face when she knows Daddy loves her enough to let her do his nails is so much more rewarding than pretending to be above participating in girly stuff.
11. Daughters Teach You What Love Really Is:
I thought I knew what love was after I got married. I learned to listen and to be patient and to never comment on how fake the Bachelor is. Becoming parents takes life to a whole other level. Being father to a little girl has opened my eyes to a whole new world of love. I am not perfect and I make mistakes just like any other dad, but I am grateful for the lessons my daughter has brought into my life. I know that her example to me of kindness and love makes me the very best I can be, because she deserves it.
And in the end, being a dad of a little girl is nothing what I expected…it’s so much better.
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