Dr. Ken Canfield of the National Center for Fathering was curious to know what daughters desired most from their fathers. His research revealed that most daughters crave five crucial things. They want to hear loving words and encouragement from their dads. They want their fathers to take the time to strengthen their relationship. Daughters hope their dads will communicate with them more and give them sound guidance, seek to understand them better and, lastly, trust them more.
The best way to hit all five of these desires at once? Take your daughter on a date. Here are 10 things to do on a date with your daughter.
Table of Contents
- 1 1. Dress up for the occasion.
- 2 2. Make sure she’s happy with her outfit.
- 3 3. Buy her flowers before you go.
- 4 4. Hold open doors.
- 5 5. Take her to an upscale restaurant.
- 6 6. Give her a meaningful gift of some kind.
- 7 7. Have the conversation revolve around encouraging her.
- 8 8. Share with her some of the first dates you had with her mother.
- 9 9. Talk about what your next daddy/daughter date should look like.
- 10 10. Leave a thank you card on her pillow the next day.
1. Dress up for the occasion.
Dressing nicely will let her know you take this date seriously. Definitely lose the gym shorts and shoes without socks.
“Daughters long to hear their fathers communicate love and encouragement.”
2. Make sure she’s happy with her outfit.
If you daughter doesn’t “feel” pretty, she won’t have a good time with you. If you can afford it, offer to take her shopping beforehand to pick out an outfit she really likes.
3. Buy her flowers before you go.
If you want to get really creative, have a single white rose in the middle of a dozen red roses and talk about how much she really does stand out.
4. Hold open doors.
Show her what a gentleman looks like and what she needs to expect from her future dates.
5. Take her to an upscale restaurant.
Save up and take her somewhere really nice. This is not an Arby’s kind of night.
6. Give her a meaningful gift of some kind.
It doesn’t have to be expensive, just something she will keep and every time she looks at it, think of you.
7. Have the conversation revolve around encouraging her.
This is not a time for you to lecture, but to listen and encourage. Share with her all the things you love and appreciate about her.
She’ll get a big kick about hearing how you had the best leisure suit at your high school back in the day.
9. Talk about what your next daddy/daughter date should look like.
This can happen when you’re heading home or on to your next activity.
10. Leave a thank you card on her pillow the next day.
Write how much you appreciated getting to spend time with her.
