11 Things Strong Fathers Teach Their Daughters About How To Be A Strong Woman

Emma Bauso

By Nicole Tarkoff

1. Always put your best effort forward, and when that’s not enough, keep trying. Strong fathers teach their daughters that hard work is never easy; it is exhausting; it is demanding; it is all-encompassing, but he teaches her that effort is rewarding, even if it isn’t tangible. Her determination is relentless, and she gets it from her father.

2. Be able to stand on your own. A strong father teaches his strong daughter to rely on herself first. She’s learned that independence is a wonderful thing to have, but she’s also learned that needing help is not a weakness, and asking for it demonstrates strength. She can stand on her own, but she has the ability to lean on others when her own balance fails her.

3. It’s okay to fail. She knows the expense of expectation when it comes to being raised by a strong father, but she knows that occasional failure is not only acceptable, it’s inevitable. Failure is a side effect of trying, and strong daughters are not contained by the fear of failure. She sees failure as an opportunity to try again because her father has taught her to do so.

4. Respect yourself. He teaches his daughter to respect her body, her mind, her thoughts, her instincts. He teaches her to respect herself enough to walk away from those who hurt her, to accept the love he has shown her she deserves, and she does.

5. Believe in yourself. He tells her that her dreams are valid, and to not let anyone make her feel otherwise. He tells her to believe in herself the way he believes in her. Strong fathers know that their daughters can achieve anything they set their mind to.

6. Place your happiness first. He teaches her that loving yourself is not selfish, it’s necessary. He tells her to find happiness within herself before she goes searching for it everywhere else. Because all the outer places she finds happiness may lead to disappointment, but no one can take away the happiness she alone creates, and this is the kind of happiness that she should share with others. He teaches her that this is the kind of happiness that lasts.

7. You will always be loved. There are more kinds of love than romantic love, stronger kinds. The bond…