I’m the proud father of two little girls, Mia, who’s 7, and Zoe, who’s 2. Growing up with just one sister, who was more like a second mother to me, I thought I had a handle on what raising daughters would entail. Little did I know that my girls would have a profound influence on me, getting me to engage in activities I never imagined I would do. While I wouldn’t say I’m particularly macho, I certainly didn’t expect to become a pro at makeup application and baby doll care. Here’s a glimpse into my unexpected dad journey:
- Rocked a vibrant shade of turquoise on my toenails during a pool day.
- Mastered the art of removing lipstick and sparkly eye shadow from my own face.
- Engaged in a prolonged negotiation with my daughter about getting a cat—despite my firm “no,” I eventually caved and bought one.
- Learned to communicate in “puppy,” “kitty,” and “princess” dialects—none of which will help my career.
- Found myself humming along to catchy My Little Pony tunes.
- Experienced a confusing mix of pride and panic when I saw my daughter holding hands with a little boy.
- Endured having barrettes placed in my beard so I could resemble a glamorous princess.
- Discovered how easily sweet dimples and the phrase “I wuv you, Daddy” can sway me.
- Swaddled a baby doll, rocked it gently, and planted a kiss on its forehead.
- Memorized all the lyrics to “Let It Go” without even trying.
- Caught myself singing “Let It Go” during my solo 6 a.m. drive to work.
- Shed a few tears when my daughter was upset.
- Dressed a stuffed panda in a princess outfit and hosted a delightful tea party.
- Gained a deeper understanding of the phrase “all women are someone’s daughter.”
- Kept my cool during moments of dramatic meltdown, like when my daughter insisted I was a “meany head” for cutting her toast into squares instead of triangles.
- Learned that when my daughter says, “You just don’t get it,” she’s probably right—and I often wonder if I ever will.
- Utilized princess-themed analogies to teach lessons about everything from kindness to hygiene, like, “Anna always washes her hands after using the bathroom.”
- Realized the importance of telling my daughters they are strong, creative, smart, and capable, alongside being beautiful.
- Strolled through the grocery store with my daughters, both dressed as princesses, discussing our shopping list in a posh British accent as if I were their butler.
- Looked at my daughters and hoped they grow up in a world where the sky’s the limit and every glass ceiling is shattered, while also feeling a deep concern that we might never achieve true equality.
This list barely scratches the surface of the transformations that come with parenthood. Raising daughters has undeniably reshaped who I am, and I’m sure there’s even more to come.
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Summary
Being a father to daughters has led me to engage in surprising and often humorous activities that have reshaped my identity. From hosting tea parties with stuffed animals to mastering princess dialects, my journey has been filled with unexpected lessons and remarkable memories.