A personal blog :: Father & Daughter Relationships
I often wonder how my dad and I have such a strong relationship. I wonder this because I know a lot of people that simply don’t have the kind of bond my dad and I have.
I’ve been asked several times, “What can I do as a parent to have a close relationship with my child?” First off, I’m not a coach, psychologist, nor am I an expert in the department of relationships.. I have my life as my experience and a degree in Social Behavior and Self Development, but that’s about it.. haha.
Well, I came across this quote on google today, it states: “The more a daughter knows the details of her mother’s life […] the stronger the daughter.” ― Anita Diamant, The Red Tent
That’s when it hit me, when I really understood WHY I have a good bond with my dad, and HOW to have a good bond with my own kid.
The secret: Be honest, be open, be yourself (Although this does fall on both spectrum’s for the parent & kid)
My dad being open with me about the details of his life really helped me to understand him as a parent and a person. Although we didn’t see eye to eye all of the time, I definitely had more respect for him because I got a glimpse into what life was like for him, as a child, teen and parent. This helped me to have actually emotions for what he’d go through, and why he’d do certain things, it helped me to understand more things on a whole new level.
Too often I personally see parents not letting their children in on their past, their experiences (good and bad), I don’t see them being honest about the things they’ve done wrong or right in the present or in the past, and I don’t really see parents owning their behavior whether it’s right or wrong, which I (personally) think prohibits the child from really getting a sense of who their parent actually is. Another thing was, if my dad ever got angry or said something he didn’t mean out of frustration (like a curse word slip), he’d apologize to my brother and I.
Dad: “You guys, I am really sorry for cursing, it isn’t right. I’m sorry”
Us kids: “It’s okay, dad”
Dad: “No, it’s not okay. I shouldn’t have done that and I am sorry.”
EACH time, he’d do something that he felt wasn’t a good example, he’d apologize.
(That is what I mean by taking ownership for his behavior.)
My dad has also been so reliable, if i was stranded, if I needed help, regardless of the situation, regardless of where he was, he was just there for me.. He didn’t judge me, and honestly, I think all of that has just made our bond as a father and daughter really strong, but even to this day I can go to him about anything and I know he won’t judge me, but he’ll listen.
Anyway, there’s a lot that goes into building relationships, but I was just so excited to finally have an answer to the question I’d been asking myself for months, “How do I develop a strong bond with my son, like I have with my dad?”
Now I know. :)
Orange County Family Photographer, Kincannon Photography is a professional photographer in Orange County, California capturing newborn, seniors, dog, children and family portraits.
Kincannon Photography is based in Yorba Linda, and serves all surrounding areas including Newport Beach, Irvine, Corona Del Mar, Brea, San Juan Capistrano, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Villa Park, Laguna Beach, Newport Coast, and other surrounding Orange County metro areas.
facebook
instagram
contact
Stay in Touch: