Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

I Am a Father

[big]Why Is It So Important For A Father To Be In His Daughter's Life?[/big]

THIS QUESTION WAS ASKED OF ME BY A YOUNG WOMAN:
[i]Why is it so important for a father to be in his daughter's life?[/i]

After standing there for a few minutes with my jaw hanging down, I finally answered:

This question just blows me away. Seriously. You don't know?


I don't know the relationship you have with your father. I do know the one I have with my daughter, however. I know why I am the way I am, and why I do things the way I do them. So, again, I can't speak for all dads, just me.

1. My daughter is the first girl born in my family line in 64 years. No, that's not a typo. 64 years. To say she is treasured beyond all measure is an understatement, considering that in my family, you only get ONE daughter per generation, and usually the first born. So, yeah. Nothing will come between me and her, unless it wants to suffer pain with extreme prejudice. Try to harm her, and pain will be the least of your worries. That's not a promise. It's a guarantee.

2. I am her Knight and her Protector. I am the Shield between her and a cruel world that doesn't care about her welfare and well being, until such a time that she can do it on her own, with or without my having her back.

3. I am her Teacher. I am her Mentor. I must impart to her all the skills I have, so that she may survive and thrive, flourishing in a world that will one day not have me there anymore, because eventually-- we all die.

4. I am the Example. I am the Template. I am what she will consider "normal" for a husband and a future father to be, and what she will seek for companionship when she is looking for a mate, and as such, I must be the kind of man that I would want my daughter to be with, one who will love her with all of his heart and soul, and give themselves completely to her.

5. I am her Truth. I am her Rock. I never lie to her. I keep my morals and my ideals constant, a solid foundation upon which she may build her own. I live by my word, and by my deeds, one and the same. She knows that I am consistent, and she can count on it, no matter what.

I could go on, but that's the basics. I don't know why it's important for anyone else, but I know why it is for me.

It's because she so important to me.
This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »
Silence0 · 31-35, F
I like what you wrote there.

My father is my everything, I love him more than I do my mother. But we have completely different views on life so I tend to do things that he won't approve of and this leaves me feeling terrible as if I am betraying him.

He has always been there for me.

I'm really torn between choosing to do what would make him happy or what would make ME happy.
GwydionFrost · 56-60, M
@Silence0 One thing I learned from my mother-- the thing that is most important to her...? Am I happy? My life could be totally in the toilet, heading in the wrong direction, or over uncharted territory, and my choices aren't up for her judgment. I'm all grown up now. I am allowed to choose my future. My mom is only concerned if I am happy with it and myself. At least, that's all I will get from her, unless I ask otherwise. Why...? Because I am all grown up, and she knows that it is my life and my choices, and I am the one who will have to live with them at the end of the day.

So I would encourage you to live your life, because it IS yours to live. If he wishes you to be happy in your life, then you being happy will make up for anything else you could possibly do.

I'd even talk to him about it, and explain that you understand he does not approve of some of the things you do (so long as they are not destructive, otherwise, I'd side with him on this! ;) ) but you want to live your life full, happy and fulfilled. And if he wants to see you like that, then he's got to accept that you might do things he doesn't agree with, but you take responsibility for your choices and decisions, fully and wholly. And that's what would truly make you happy in the world.