As a father to two little girls, Mia, who is 7, and Zoe, who is 2, I never anticipated how profound the experience would be. Growing up with one older sister, I thought I had a grasp on what it meant to be around females, but nothing could prepare me for the influence my daughters would have on my life. As a father, I’ve found myself engaging in activities I once thought I would never do. It’s not that I’m particularly masculine—I’m not—but I’ve definitely stepped out of my comfort zone. Here are some unexpected things I’ve done thanks to my daughters:
- Rocked a pool day with bright blue toenails.
- Mastered the art of removing glittery lipstick and blush from my face.
- Engaged in a prolonged debate with my daughter about getting a cat. I staunchly said no, insisting I was in charge, only to end up buying one anyway.
- Become fluent in the languages of puppy, kitty, and princess. These skills don’t translate to my career, sadly.
- Found myself humming along to some surprisingly catchy My Little Pony tunes.
- Experienced a confusing rush of emotions upon seeing my daughter hold hands with a little boy.
- Had barrettes adorning my beard to transform me into a princess.
- Realized how easily sweet smiles and the phrase “I love you, Daddy” can bend my will.
- Swaddled a baby doll, rocked it gently, and bestowed a kiss upon it.
- Memorized the lyrics to “Let It Go” without even trying.
- Drove to work at 6 a.m., belting out “Let It Go” because it’s perpetually stuck in my head.
- Shed tears simply because my daughter was crying.
- Dressed a plush panda in a princess outfit and hosted a tea party.
- Gained a deeper understanding of the phrase “all women are someone’s daughter.”
- Kept my cool during frustrating moments, like when a little girl insists that I’m a meanie for cutting her toast into squares instead of triangles.
- Heard a little girl tell me, “You just don’t get it,” and realized I truly don’t—and wondered if I ever will.
- Used princess analogies to teach lessons, from kindness to hygiene. “Elsa always washes her hands after using the bathroom. Let me tell you a story…”
- Understood the importance of telling girls they are strong, imaginative, and intelligent, in addition to being beautiful.
- Strolled through the grocery store with two princess-dressed girls in the cart while speaking in a British accent as if I were their butler.
- Looked at my daughters and wished for a world where they can soar without facing obstacles like the glass ceiling, while simultaneously fearing we may never achieve true equality.
This list is just a glimpse into the transformative journey of fatherhood. Raising daughters has reshaped my perspective in ways I never expected.
For more on parenting and family dynamics, don’t forget to explore our resources on home insemination, such as this guide on the home insemination kit and insights into safe practices during pregnancy, including weightlifting. You can also find excellent information about pregnancy and home insemination at UCSF’s Center.
In summary, being a father to daughters has opened my eyes to new experiences and emotions, transforming me in ways I never could have imagined.