What a difference Daddy makes

- Dr Kevin Leman

The Indelible Imprint a Dad leaves on His Daughter's Life.

Men, we need to understand the vital role of fatherhood for our children's future. Kevin Leman makes some excellent points for fathers. If you are married, you also need to understand how your father-in-law is impacting your marriage. Here are some excerpts from Dr Leman's book.

It's up to the father to accept his daughters, because young women need masculine approval that is freely given, not earned. A mother just is not able to give her daughter what she really needs - a male who delights in her, who adores her, who affirms her, and builds her up regardless of whether she's a klutz, wears a size-fourteen dress, or is just plain old average. A daughter should never feel "average" when she sees her reflection in her daddy's eyes. Trust sinks its roots in security and consistency. A father's consistent discipline combined with a dad's devotion helps create a very wonderful thing: a trusting and mature young woman.

A father who is trustworthy, who never lies, who follows through on his promises and can be counted on, turns mistrust into Miss Trust. The marital marks of Miss Trust are these: She is going to be free and spontaneous and an equal partner in her marriage. She won't be afraid to tell her husband about what is really going on inside her. She won't run from vulnerability; rather, she'll embrace it.

In so many ways, trust sets up a woman to become a true partner to her husband. A woman who is afraid to be vulnerable, who just can't trust men, is a woman who will draw back from her husband. To the degree she does that, her husband will be frustrated. He'll feel that he's not enough for her. He'll sense that she doesn't trust him. He'll feel cheapened, unworthy, and put down.

A father who doesn't consciously build trust in his daughter sets her up to be exploited by predatory men or boys.

I want to set a standard of excellence that is so high I won't be afraid for my daughters to marry "someone like their father". T.D. Jakes