Raising a daughter all by yourself as a single father is nothing short of a challenge. We are well aware of the significance of a mother in the life of a child. There are very crucial parts that each parent plays in the upbringing of a child. Each parent has a set of responsibilities that they are required to take up and this determines the kind of childhood the child will have. The influence of each parent is very different and cannot be replaced by anything or any other person. Each child has a very different kind of bond with each parent.
We cannot rule out the possibility of various things taking place in life that could alter the normal course of actions in our life. Generally, each child deserves to have both the parents when they are growing up. But, there are things that take place in our life that lead to various incidents, the consequences of which have to be faced by us for the rest of our lives. One such thing can be the loss of a mother. A child may have to live the rest of their life without their mother because of a divorce the parents choose to have or because of the demise of the mother due to various reasons. Whatever the reason might be, such things are not something we can control.
(Image Courtesy: Red Orbit)
It becomes the responsibility of the father to take care of the child and be the best parent he can. This task itself is very difficult. If the father has to deal with a son it is still to a certain extent becomes simple, as he can relate to the needs and the kind of changes a boy child will go through. The task surely becomes more challenging, when he must be the single father of a daughter. There are sure going to be so many aspects of the growing girl child’s life that the father may not have the slightest idea of but will have to equip himself to deal with them effectively.
As a girl grows up, there are so many things that become a part of the growing years, that are completely different from that of the growing challenges of a boy child. There are some of these that are completely handled only by the mother. Now, with the mother not there to take charge of these situations that they are familiar with, it becomes important for the father to learn these challenges and help the daughter with them. Irrespective of the help coming from the father or the mother, the child will need the support and guidance for moving ahead. With the absence of the mother, the father will have to take charge.
(Image Courtesy: Brightly)
There are some things that may be very important to keep in mind when we are talking about what it will be like when a single father is raising a daughter.
#1. The father will have to keep in mind the fact that the daughter may be subjected to the pity expressed by other women and children. This may be done with good intensions by the others, not with the intention to make her feel bad or to make her realize her loss. But, sometimes children tend to take it differently. The constant reminder and discussion of the absence of the mother can prove to be negative for the daughter. This will constantly make her feel that she is missing out on the most essential bonding of her life. While that may actually be true, we all know that life goes on and we cannot do anything to change things at some instances in life. The best thing you can do as a father is to give her that bond that is required by her, you cannot replace what the mother could do, but you can certainly do it your way. The point is to provide her a friendly bond and a door that is open at all times when she needs to come in and have a word regarding the craziest things on planet earth.
#2. Every father who is faced with this challenge will have to keep in mind the fact that the daughter may be going through some challenges related to the growth of her body and the way the hormone changes are affecting her appearance. We are aware of the issue of body image that every child faces, it’s just that the repercussions of these changes are very different for girls in comparison to the boys. If your daughter is feeling shy or uncomfortable to talk to you regarding the changes she is going through. Or even if you find her fighting negative self-image and challenges related to the changes her body is going through. It becomes the responsibility of the parent to make it comfortable for the daughter to express these concerns freely and do so without being judged.
The father will need to explain it to the daughter how it is not an issue at all if she chooses to discuss her concerns with her father and not the mother. He will also need to be able to explain it to her that the changes that she is experiencing are common for all and there is nothing to be worried about or dislike about them.
(Image Courtesy: Lionesse Gem)
#3. The best thing that each single father, trying to be the supportive dad to their daughter, can do is to be deeply involved in the life of the daughter. This may prove to be the biggest challenge for the father. It is true that you will have to keep track of your career and at the same time be completely involved in your daughter’s life. It will surely be very difficult to juggle the two, but the fact that you have chosen to be a single dad throws light on the idea that you are ready to take up any challenge to make the life of your little princess the best.
When you keep track of all that the developments in her life and are almost always a part of the best and the worst moments of her life, you are sure to become her best and most trusted friend she has. This is what will make the most difference in her life and her growing years. She already does not have one parent, she is missing out on a lot. If you make her miss the company and the support of the father as well, things will only get worse. She will not be left with anyone to share her life with. You will have to make time for the father-daughter time and bonding.
(Image Courtesy: Udemy Blog)
Are you a single father trying to give the best life to your daughter? Are you someone who has been doing all you can for being the best single father? How do you manage to deal with the challenges you face on a daily basis? What are the things you had to learn in order to become a good single father? What is the best advice you think you can share with us on being a successful single father? Please let us know how helpful you found this article and leave your comment in the box below.
(Featured Image Courtesy: Poklat)
24 Opinions
5 Opinions
Being a single parent, itself is a very tough job. From what I have seen my friends go
through, it becomes impossible to explain some things to the child. There are instances
when they want to know the reasons for the absence of the other parent and we just do
not know how to answer them.
When you have to be a single father to a girl child it can get even more complicated, the
challenges are more, the kind of questions you are going to be asked may be completely
out of your comfort zone. Most often you may not know how to react to the challenges
and what can be the most effective solution to your problems?
But, what I have noticed is, when you have to become a single father, you will have to
provide your daughter with that companionship, that most often the mother would have
done. Now, it is not going to be possible to give your daughter exactly that relationship,
but you can always make the best effort you can.
What I have seen in the life of my friends who are fathers who are raising their daughters
all by their self, do find it very difficult to keep their work, the home, and the child all at
once.
But, because they are aware of how their responsibility has been doubled and their child
is completely counting on them. They will not be able to get the support of their spouse
for whatever reason. These people become more focused and determined to make it
happen. No matter how many challenges they are faced with, they often prove to be
the best father to their daughter.
It is the power of the wish of a parent for the wellbeing of a child, that often single fathers
are able to give their daughters a wonderful life.