Glow in the dark mini putt. It’s just like regular, grown up putting… but it’s in a completely different-looking world.  You still use the same techniques to read the terrain, line up the putt, and hit the ball.

Your daughter’s feelings. They’re just like regular, grown up feelings…but come from a completely different-looking world. Self esteem, dating, peer pressure, depression, substance abuse. The techniques you use to deal with these issues may not be the same techniques she needs to use.

Understanding what she’s going through from her point of view is important. While you’re dealing with Bermuda grass, she’s working her way through windmills. It starts with your ears. Listening and affirming how she is feeling is an important trait in understanding who she is and a vital part of remaining an influence in her life. Dad Up.

(At each of our Daddy Daughter Time events, we hand out D.A.D.U.P. cards to all of the Dads. It’s a way to help remind them to remain intentional in their daughters’ lives. There are five main components of the program: Dependability. Approachability. Devotion. Understanding. Patience. After each event, we post the message that was handed out here on our blog.)

It’s time to DADUP with these five things we encourage you to include in your parenting every week (if not every day.) They are easy to do…and easy to forget to do. So remember to DADUP and be involved with your daughter(s).

D is for Dine. Want to know why you’ve heard for decades that eating together around the table is good for your family? Because it’s fact. They’ve done the research. (Short story: It lowers the risks of obesity, substance abuse, eating disorders, and even increases the chance of graduating from high school.) The bad news is that the frequency in which families are doing this is declining. We know. You’re busy. But if you can squeeze in at least one family meal a week, it’s a start. Oh, and NO electronics. This is anti-screen time.

A is for Applaud. OK, you don’t literally have to clap your hands here. Maybe we could use the word affirmation? Basically, send her positive reinforcement for her good behavior, accomplishments at school, stellar sticker skills…whatever. A father’s praise is like gold  glitter to a young daughter.

D is for Discuss. A recent survey stated that only 4.1% of teenage girls in America feel that they can approach their fathers and discuss a serious problem. That’s not a typo. That’s four point one percent. If you aren’t talking with her now – one on one (that’s key) – she won’t feel she can approach you when it really matters. Carve out 15 minutes with just her and show interest in who she is and what she’s talking about (even if it’s Justin Beiber).

U is for Unwind. Daddy Daughter Time is all about spending time together doing fun stuff. Just as important? Chill time. Literally. Do something that requires very little effort or something that helps you relax. Include her. Whether it’s a walk in the park or just catching a (kid) flick on Netflix, sometimes just being in the same place while you both just chill can bring you closer together.

P is for Participate. The opposite of unwinding. Get up off the couch or away from the laptop and dive into her world. Sure, you’ll be at her soccer game or band concert… but what about when she’s playing with her toys or doing homework? This is your chance to be a kid again. I mean, you didn’t really want to grow up anyways, right?

Active and involved fathering isn’t all that tough. Use these reminders and DADUP!

Have you checked out our D.A.D.U.P. program? It’s a monthly (and sometimes more often) reminder for Dads to help them remain active and involved in their daughters’ lives. The #dadvice we give out at each event is based on 5 traits: Dependability. Approachability. Devotion. Understanding. Patience. You can learn more about it here.

You know the feeling. You are hitting every red light and each one seems to last forever.

You take a sharp breath, grip the wheel tighter,… and then remember that your daughter is in the car with you. What you do next will affect how she sees you as a father. PATIENCE may not be your strongest trait, but it is vital in being the father she needs you to be.

Red lights will be the least of your struggles as you try to remain PATIENT as she grows older. Endless questions, screen time battles, eye rolls… idiot boyfriends?! The list goes on.

Remember, she’s watching how you respond to stressful situations – even to the ones that she has caused. She’ll take her cues on how to respond to stress from you so take a deep breath, remain calm, and Dad Up.

(At each of our Daddy Daughter Time events, we hand out D.A.D.U.P. cards to all of the Dads. It’s a way to help remind them to remain intentional in their daughters’ lives. There are five main components of the program: Dependability. Approachability. Devotion. Understanding. Patience. After each event, we post the message that was handed out here on our blog.)

Of course your daughter looks up to you… you’re taller. And that can be intimidating.

She’s not always going to have a trampoline handy to be able to communicate with you ‘eye to eye.’ So spending more time with her, getting down to her level, and most of all listening, will make sure she sees you as APPROACHABLE.

That’s important.  A recent survey asked young girls who/what they turn to in times of crisis. Dads came in at #48 on that list…47 reasons to make sure she understands that she can APPROACH you when times get tough. There is nothing more encouraging to your daughter — preschooler to teenager —than to know she can have her father’s undivided attention when it is needed. Find more at www.ddtime.org/dadup

(At each of our Daddy Daughter Time events, we hand out D.A.D.U.P. cards to all of the Dads. It’s a way to help remind them to remain intentional in their daughters’ lives. There are five main components of the program: Dependability. Approachability. Devotion. Understanding. Patience. After each event, we post the message that was handed out here on our blog.)

They say you can’t fully UNDERSTAND a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes. Well, you’ve just spent some time “in” your daughter’s hair. So you may now better UNDERSTAND why it takes her so long to get ready in the morning.

But a “bad hair day” meltdown isn’t the only thing you’ll be dealing with as she grows up. Each stage will have its own emotional knots to untangle.

Affirming how she is feeling is an important trait in UNDERSTANDING who she is and a vital part of remaining an influence in her life. Refuse to see her point of view and you are shutting down a line of communication that may be tougher than you think to reopen. We aren’t saying you should condone her disrespecting you or her unwise decisions. But maybe you can try to put yourself in her sneakers and see life from her perspective more often. Find more at www.ddtime.org/dadup

(At each of our Daddy Daughter Time events, we hand out D.A.D.U.P. cards to all of the Dads. It’s a way to help remind them to remain intentional in their daughters’ lives. There are five main components of the program: Dependability. Approachability. Devotion. Understanding. Patience. After each event, we post the message that was handed out here on our blog.)