35 Things I Want My Daughter’s Dad To Do That Mine Never Did

1. Remember every single birthday

2. Thoroughly celebrate every single birthday

3. Listen more, yell less

4. Read bedtime stories (sober)

5. Show her how much he adores and values her mama

6. Write her handwritten letters of encouragement

7. Be involved with her education (or at least know her college major and go to graduations)

8. Show her how important it is to take care of herself, hygiene and all

9. Take her shopping for school clothes

10. Throw the best middle school slumber parties

11. Give her advice based on wisdom, not brokenness

12. Never shame therapy or the importance of mental health

13. Use big words with her so she looks up to intelligence

14. Ask her what her boundaries are

15. Help her create her boundaries so she clearly knows them

16. Always tries his best

17. FaceTimes her at least four times a day when she moves away to college

18. Still leaves her letters of encouragement when she’s moved away to college

19. Hides a list of the boundaries she made when she was little under her pillow in her dorm

20. FaceTimes her for a fifth time in a day just to make sure she’s taken care of her personal hygiene before bed

21. Reminds her to try her best

22. Writes handwritten letters of encouragement to her mama

23. Always reminds her that she is his priority

24. Makes goofy jokes that subtly prove he grew up watching Jimmy Neutron

25. Teaches her how to appropriately navigate conflict

26. Introduces her to her inner grace

27. Show her how authenticity is the epitome of beauty

28. Speaks only good things about her family, especially her mama

29. Shows her how to find comfort in faith, regardless of the faith

30. Calls her when she’s 35 to still read her a bedtime story (sober)

31. Teaches her that personal responsibility is the only way to have unconditional connection

32. Shows her how to befriend her own humility and love on all her mistakes

33. Preaches the importance of standards

34. Encourages her to practice mindfulness

35. Honors her being every second of every day