A long term friendship between a father and daughter sometimes appears as allusive as those unicorns she loved at five years old. This coveted relationship relies on implicit trust, open communication and the right perspective. A daughter who knows she can trust her father to protect her and her ideas without judgment will come to him for advice.
One of the worst temptations for parents involves multi-tasking. During the workday, and even the younger childhood years, multi-tasking bolsters productivity. Using this trick while talking with daughters will only hinder the relationship. Attentive listening is crucial to hearing what she says. If she does not think you are completely engaged she will shut down or act out.
Now that you have her trust and attention, remember she is a teen. Talk with her about adult things as if she is an adult without losing sight of how she really is. Never tell her “I told you so” or “You are too young to understand.” Listen to her point of view and validate it before giving any solicited advice. Lastly, make time to hang out her. Do something fun together to aid the growth of your budding friendship.
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