Love is a beautiful feeling to be experience by everyone.
One of my favorite parts of each day is when I arrive home. When I come to the front door, it’s locked. Before I can unlock it with my key, I hear the sound of my little daughter fiddling with the doorknob on the other side. She knows it’s me, but remains quiet until the door opens and we make eye contact. Then she starts jumping up and down like she’s in the student section at a college basketball game. She continues jumping before finally yelling, “Daddy!” Her simple show of excitement makes me feel special and loved.
“The love of a father powerfully reassures security and self-confidence.” Sugar and spice and everything nice, that’s what our little girls are made of. However, as our little girls grow into young ladies, the mother-daughter relationships can sometimes carry more spice than sweet. One thing that doesn’t change over the years is the need for our girls to know just how loved and cherished they truly are for who they are
Table of Contents
1. Physical Affection
Give her kisses and hugs. She’ll probably expect them when you greet her or when saying goodbye. The ones that will make her feel especially loved are the spontaneous ones. Also, occasionally hold her hand when you sit or walk with her. These are tender touches that communicate she is precious to you.
2. Compliments
Do this privately but also publicly with her present. She may tell you it embarrasses her, but down deep, she’ll be beaming. Don’t use false compliments just to make her feel good. Think through and find the things about her that merit compliments. Focus on affirming her nonphysical qualities as much or more than her physical ones.
3. Knowing Her Favorite Things
Know her favorite drink, foods, band, actors, restaurants, books, subjects in school. Study these things. Read her favorite book or watch her favorite movie with her. When providing snacks or packing a lunch for her, you can include her favorites. Showing her that you pay attention to her “small” nuances will make her feel loved in a big way.
4. Spontaneous One-on-One Time Together
Take her out for a coffee, dinner, or a walk. Take her for a picnic and pack her favorite foods. Nothing makes someone feel more special than setting aside time to be with them. Get some focused time with her. (You can also help Mom get quality time with your daughter by sharing this mother-daughter bucket list)
5. Written Notes
This is, unfortunately, becoming a lost art. You don’t have to be Shakespeare. Just a couple of words written on a piece of paper are perfect. It can be as simple as “I love you.” Write “Who loves you?” on one side of the card and “Your daddy does!” on the other side. Surprise her by leaving notes in places she will find them. Her mirror is a great place, especially if the reflection makes her insecure.
You can actually also’;
- Tuck her in at night.
- Ask to see her favorite app.
- Write jokes on a sticky note and place on her bathroom mirror.
- Ask her to be responsible for dessert at family dinner.
- Compliment her.
- Laugh with her.
- Share dessert at Rozzelle Court Restaurant located in the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
- Share a girls’ movie night watching Anne of Green Gables.
- Read her favorite book.
- Crank up her favorite song in the car.
- Hike around Lake Lenexa in Black Hoof Park located at 9053 Monticello Rd. in Lenexa.
- Surprise her with a bouquet of daisies.
- Hug daily.
