As a father of two daughters, Lily, who is 7, and Mia, who is just 2, my journey through parenthood has been anything but predictable. Growing up with one sister, who was seven years my senior, I never fully grasped what it meant to nurture little girls. My childhood didn’t prepare me for the profound influence my daughters would have over me. They have a unique ability to coax me into activities I would typically shy away from — and somehow, I find myself enjoying it.
Here are twenty unexpected things I’ve done thanks to my daughters:
- Worn bright pink nail polish while lounging by the pool.
- Mastered the art of removing glittery lipstick and blush from my cheeks.
- Stood my ground against my daughter’s persistent pleas for a puppy, only to find myself adopting one weeks later.
- Developed a conversational fluency in the languages of puppies, kitties, and princesses. Not exactly useful for my medical practice!
- Caught myself humming along to some surprisingly catchy My Little Pony tunes.
- Felt a rush of mixed emotions upon catching my daughter holding hands with a little boy.
- Endured a makeover where my beard was adorned with colorful barrettes to become the “glamorous prince.”
- Acknowledged how effortlessly sweet smiles and the phrase “Daddy, I love you” can sway my decisions.
- Swaddled a baby doll and rocked it to sleep, thinking how cute it was.
- Learned every word to “Let It Go” without even trying.
- Found myself singing “Let It Go” in the car at dawn, much to my own surprise.
- Teared up when my daughter cried over a minor incident.
- Dressed a stuffed bear in a princess outfit and held an extravagant tea party for it.
- Gained a deeper understanding of the phrase, “all women are someone’s daughter.”
- Maintained my composure during challenging moments, like when my daughter protested the shape of her toast.
- Heard my daughter tell me I just don’t get it, and realized I might never fully understand her world.
- Created princess-themed analogies to teach lessons, from kindness to hygiene. “Remember, Elsa always washes her hands!”
- Noted the importance of affirming little girls’ strength, creativity, and intelligence, in addition to their beauty.
- Strolled through the grocery store with my daughters dressed as princesses, speaking with a British accent as their butler.
- Hoped fervently that my daughters will grow up in a world free from barriers, while also worrying about the equality journey ahead.
This list is by no means exhaustive. Each day brings new surprises and lessons in parenthood. It’s evident that children shape their parents in ways we never expect.
For more insights into the journey of parenthood, check out this post. If you’re looking into family planning, Make A Mom offers excellent resources on enhancing fertility. Additionally, for reliable information on reproductive health, visit CDC’s infertility FAQ.
Summary
Being a father of daughters has led me to embrace unexpected experiences, from wearing nail polish to understanding the complexities of their world. Each moment has reshaped my perspective on parenting and reinforced the importance of supporting their growth and empowerment.