Sheila Sims Iding
A week ago Joey and Addie had a baby shower and I gave Joey a book that I wrote for him…Daddy/Daughter Lessons. I wish I could share the pictures I had with the book but I will share the words…mostly lessons I was blessed enough to learn from my father that I wanted to pass on to Joey for his daddy/daughter moments…and memories.
The Dedication to Joey:
A daddy and daughter share a very amazing bond. (Papa taught me this.) Here are some important lessons to help that bond be even more special. Wishing you many blessed daddy/daughter memories. You are loved, Mom/Nana
The most important lesson: Love her mother more each day.
25 Rules for A Daddy with His Daughter
#1 – You are her super hero from the first moment you hold her. Don’t ever forget that.
#2 – Be man enough to put on her princess crown and have tea with her and her teddy bears…and her dollies.
#3 – Teach her how to bunt…three different ways (sacrifice bunt, swinging bunt and suicide bunt) and teach her how to dance three different ways (hokey pokey, the monkey and the waltz for her wedding)
#4 – Read to her, read with her, read for her. And use your silly voices.
Go to her classroom and read to her class. Use your silly voices there too.
#5 – Say prayers with her each night…on your knees. It’s how Jesus liked to pray.
#6 – Have a nickname for her that only you call her. Make it good one that will last her your whole life. So maybe not “Cupcake or Princess”. It has to be good in her adult life too. Mine was “Gus”. It sounds silly but when my dad said it, it wasn’t silly…it was special. You will think of one, "Jacques".
#7 – Play in the rain together. Jump in puddles. Make mud pies. Play in the snow together. Make a snowman. Make snow angels. Teach her how to throw snowballs.
#8 – When she plays sports the only advice you need to give her before every game is “Always hustle. Play with pride.” Even on a bad day, any athlete can hustle…and play with pride.
#9 – Get her a pet. Teach her the responsibility of having a pet and the heartbreak of losing one.
#10 – Leave her love notes. In her diaper bag (you never too young for a love note.) In her lunch box. In her cleats or dance shoes. In her suitcase for college. Tucked in her bridal bouquet. (Or by the unity candle.) Leave her love notes. Lots of love notes.
#11 – Take pictures. Lots of pictures. Capture un-posed moments and memories. Let her take pictures too. Make memories. Capture them.
#12 – Teach her how to use a hammer, a Phillips screwdriver and how to change a tire. Let her be your assistant. Never say no to the question “Daddy, can I help you?”
#13 – Be a homework team. Have a half hour when you do your teamwork of studying together. Even if she doesn’t have homework…study something together. Learn together. Let her teach you.
#14 – Teach her charity. Give to the poor together. Work community dinners together. From toys to clothes to money to time. Give together.
#15 – Be a kid with her. (You will be good at this.) Use crayons and Play-Dough…blow bubble gum…knock down the block towers…and giggle. Lots of giggles.
#16 – Say “I’m sorry”. Don’t try to be the perfect dad. No one ever has been. Well…maybe God. You will make mistakes daddy-ing. Don’t be afraid to tell her you were wrong. Don’t be afraid to say “I’m sorry.” There are lessons tucked in each apology…for you…and for her.
#17 – Teach her manners and insist on them. “Please” and “thank you” cannot be optional. Ever. The waitress, the store clerk, mom and dad, even the nurse that gives her the flu shot…all deserve a “thank you.”
#18 – Surprise her! Have cupcakes for breakfast, give her a balloon for no reason, give her a “just because” gift and take her lunch for a surprise date together.
#19 – Always kiss her good night. My dad always did. And say “Pleasant dreams, sleep tight, I will see you in the morning. God bless your little heart.” Every little girl should hear that from her daddy. Every night. (No matter how old she gets.)
#20 – When she is sick, be her best medicine. Hold her, rock her, sing to her. When she is afraid be her comfort medicine. Nothing says “everything will be alright” like a daddy’s hug.
#21 – Take her on walks…through autumn leaves, down the beach, in your backyard forest, through the snowdrifts. Just walk. Discover nature…and each other.
#22 – Celebrate her “Be-Kind Day”. Her half birthday. No gifts…just a party. Let her know she is so amazing she deserves two birthday parties. While your at it…celebrate her church birthday (her baptism) each year too.
#23 – Teach her your amazing determination. Help her learn that when something is hard…you just work harder. In school…in sports…in faith…in life…work hard, play hard, pray hard. Pure determination. Mostly be determined to be happy. Find the good in each day.
#24 – Share your faith with her…the hymns, the prayers, the saints, the rosary…all of it. Whenever you can plant seeds of faith, nurture faith and then watch it grow.
#25 – She is a gift from God. He chose you to be her Father. “Father”…to even God, Himself, we could not give a holier name. Cherish her. Treasure her. Protect her. Love her. She is a gift from God.
Fatherhood with a daughter is an incredible journey. Know that God and St. Joseph walk with you. You will be an amazing father, Jacques. You already are.