Relating to daughters doesn’t always come naturally for dads, but we can learn to connect in affirming ways. We testosterone-filled males can relate well to girls, and it doesn’t require a huge adjustment in our approach. We have so much potential power to influence their self-esteem, their independence, and their healthy body image. Many experts are even finding that our masculine approach in relating is beneficial for daughters, not a hindrance.

Here are five key things that daughters need from their dads, based on research among several thousand dads:

Guidance

Jeremiah 6:16 says, "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it." As a girl matures, she comes to some significant crossroads. There are important life decisions ahead, and she needs the benefits of her dad’s life experiences and wisdom as she considers options and thinks through possible consequences of her choices. That’s right; we are "the ancient paths" of wisdom for our daughters.

We might tend to think more about guiding our sons, and letting Mom have those important talks with our daughters. But girls need their dad’s perspective as well.

First, guiding means discerning what’s right in the midst of all the gray areas in our culture. Young women are under a lot of pressure to look, act, and be a certain way — to maintain a certain image. They also face expectations in regard to their future aspirations. Often, we men can bring an analytical approach to help clarify the picture and guide them along.

We can also guide through correction. Guidance really is the ultimate goal of discipline. Enforcing limits and consequences is important, but especially with daughters we need to make sure we’re also communicating about why they’re being corrected, and letting them know clearly that, though their behavior may be unacceptable at times, we will always love and accept them as our children.

We also guide our daughters through teaching. That doesn’t mean you have permission to start lecturing your daughter. Kids rarely learn from lectures – especially when they’re teenagers. Instead, focus on listening, and be actively involved in helping her learn — accompanying her and assisting her in her adventures and pursuits.

Encouragement

When it comes to our daughters’ self-images, we’re a huge influence — and it goes deeper than appearance. Girls feels pressure to be smart, thin, pretty, and involved in certain activities. We have the ability to make our daughters feel beautiful, inside and out.