It’s something most of us don’t give a second thought. You turn the key. The engine starts. It’s called dependability.

Your daughter should have the same feeling about you. You want to steer her away from danger to to be able to handle the speed bumps of life. Does she know she can depend on you?

When you consistently respond to her smaller needs, she’ll trust in you and call on you when her needs get bigger.

Make eye contact. Listen and help when you can. Show her that she can look to you to be a dependable source of nurturing, safety, protection, respect, and love. Not at home? Make sure she knows she can reach out and call you whenever she needs to… just not while driving. #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.)

Most young girls approach a horse with a little bit of fear. And with good reason – They’re bigger, stronger, and don’t always clearly express whether they are in a good mood or not. This may sound familiar… because it can describe you as well.

Being approachable isn’t automatic. But it’s vital if you want to build trust and communication with your daughter. She needs to know, without a doubt, that she can approach you with any issues she may be dealing with. If she doesn’t do that at age 4, she more than likely won’t at age 14.

Get down to her level. Sit with her. Listen.  Nibble sugar cubes from her hand. Ok, maybe not the last one (Unless you’re playing “horsey” and you’ve got a sweet tooth). Approachability is the goal.   #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.)

Daddy Daughter Time – Picnic in the Park, Wednesday, July 18, 2018.
(Emily Rose Bennett)

No matter how great of a dad you are, there are days you’re going to get “soaked.” Something in your daughter’s world is going to burst and splashes of emotion are going to come raining down.

Or it may be you that’s getting bombarded and events have left you wondering when the barrage will end. Here’s your reminder to take a breath and remain PATIENT.

When it comes to fatherhood, PATIENCE isn’t a virtue. It’s a necessity.  Your daughter looks to you as an example of how to deal with stress (even stress she’s caused.) Pro Dad Tip: Make a checklist of healthy ways to handle overwhelming stress. Keep it handy and use it to help keep your cool.  #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.)

It wouldn’t be strange if your daughter has never asked you to style her hair. (Maybe not that strange after the Big Braid.) But does she APPROACH you with other questions or concerns?

You want to protect her. You want to help her develop and grow. you want her to succeed. None of that happens if you don’t know what she’s dealing with from day to day. To get that line of communication, you must become as APPROACHABLE as you can.

There are hundreds of little things we can do as parents that either build up or tear down the hearts of our kids. By simply listening and letting her know she can come to you when she needs an ear, a hand, or a shoulder to cry on, she’ll see you as someone she can APPROACH and confide in. #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.)

Scientists say that the “scent” of a rose is made up of over 275 distinct compounds.

It would take a pretty DEVOTED candle maker to make a candle for each variation… and that’s just for one flower.

But what really makes a candle’s scent blossom is the flame. That’s your job. You are the fire that keeps burning for your daughter. Remaining DEVOTED to being a constant and reliable presence in her life is a key factor of fatherhood.

It’s never too late to spark something special. Your DEVOTION and dedication to her can start at any age (if it hasn’t already.) Dad Up and DEVOTE time for you and her to connect. Your heart may be the only thing that gets melted.

Dad up. 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.)

At some point, understanding your daughter may feel like learning a two- handed down tuck turn during the Lindy Hop. (Read: confusing and difficult.)

But if you take the time to try and understand her point of view, you may avoid shutting down a line of communication that can be hard to reopen. Your daughter could be going through normal physical and hormonal changes or there could be a change of social circumstance. It’s pretty common for young girls to experience dramatic emotional ups and downs.

Your job? Relate more and ‘fix’ less. They say that 90% of being a good dad is just showing up. But that other 10% is vital and it includes trying to understand the world from her viewpoint so you can keep your relationship strong and grow closer.  

Dad up. 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.)

It’s a pretty safe bet that your daughter will find you approachable enough to reach out if she feels herself falling. It’s a physical reaction and hopefully your roller skating skills are up to the job and you won’t tumble with her.

But being emotionally approachable is much more important. When her world starts to slip, you want her to reach out to you before she turns to her friends, TV, or social media for guidance. Recent stats show only around 4% of teenage girls feel that they can approach their fathers to discuss a serious problem.

You can change that. Start by listening. Undivided attention goes a long way in showing her that she can approach you when she needs some real advice.  

Dad up. 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.)