20 Surprising Experiences I’ve Had as a Father of Daughters

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By: Jake Thompson
Updated: Dec. 21, 2023
Originally Published: Oct. 22, 2023

As a father of two daughters, Lily, who is 7, and Zoe, who is 2, I’ve found that raising girls has been a whirlwind of unexpected moments. Growing up with a sister who was significantly older than me, I had limited exposure to the world of little girls. I never anticipated the profound influence my daughters would have on me, often persuading me to partake in activities I once thought I would avoid. While I wouldn’t classify myself as overly masculine, wearing makeup and playing with dolls were never on my to-do list—until now. I’ve essentially become an expert.

Thanks to my daughters, I’ve:

1. Rocked bright pink toenail polish at the local pool.
2. Mastered the art of removing glittery lipstick and sparkly eye shadow from my face.
3. Engaged in lengthy negotiations with my daughter about getting a puppy. I stood my ground, insisting we wouldn’t adopt one, only to find myself bringing home a puppy weeks later.
4. Learned to communicate in “puppy,” “kitten,” and “princess” dialects, none of which will help my career.
5. Caught myself humming along to some surprisingly catchy My Little Pony tunes.
6. Experienced a confusing blend of jealousy and protectiveness when I saw my daughter holding a little boy’s hand.
7. Had my beard accessorized with hair clips to resemble a radiant princess.
8. Discovered just how easily sweet smiles and the phrase “Daddy, I love you” can sway my decisions.
9. Successfully swaddled a baby doll, rocked it gently, and gave it a goodnight kiss.
10. Memorized all the lyrics to “Let It Go” without any effort.
11. Found myself belting out “Let It Go” solo during my early morning commute.
12. Shed tears simply because my daughter was upset.
13. Dressed a plush panda in a princess outfit and hosted it for a delightful tea party.
14. Gained a deeper understanding of the saying “all women are someone’s daughter.”
15. Managed to stay calm when facing the drama of a little girl declaring me a “meanie head” for cutting her toast into squares instead of triangles.
16. Acknowledged when my daughter told me I didn’t quite understand her world, and pondered whether I ever could.
17. Utilized princess analogies to teach lessons on everything from kindness to personal hygiene. “Just like Cinderella always washes her hands after using the restroom, you should too!”
18. Recognized the importance of affirming little girls’ strength, creativity, intelligence, and determination, alongside their beauty.
19. Strolled through a grocery store with my daughters dressed in princess attire, playfully discussing our shopping list in a British butler accent.
20. Reflected on my hopes for a future where my daughters can pursue their dreams without barriers, while feeling a mix of apprehension about the reality of gender equality.

This list is just a glimpse into the transformation that comes with fatherhood. The journey of raising daughters has undeniably reshaped who I am as a person.

If you’re interested in exploring more about the nuances of parenting, check out this insightful post on Cervical Insemination, where we delve into various aspects of family-building. For those considering at-home options, Make A Mom offers reliable kits for insemination. Additionally, Science Daily provides excellent resources on fertility and related topics.

In summary, being a father to daughters has brought about a cascade of unexpected behaviors and realizations. Each day presents new challenges and joys, shaping not only their lives but mine as well.