Masato wrote:My son figured out how to ride his bike today with no hands, and no helmet
Terrifying lol - I don't know who to be more concerned about
As for my daughter I am trying to contemplate what sort of dad a 14 year old girl would WANT to have, what would be the best from their perspective (vs what they may hate).
I even tried to watch a bunch of old John Hughes movies. Didn't help much
The sort of dad she wants may not be the dad she needs.
There are things that I remember about my dad that I love now but hated then. Like he used to flick the porch light on and off as soon as I got home from a date Until I came in the house and not kiss the boy. Lol
A few things I'd recommend from my experience and learning from others close to me...
My step mom was always so serious so I loved that Dad joked around a lot. Try to balance out mom sometimes.
I heard a dad tell his son once "Do not talk to my wife that way." Simple but profound. A daughter will wind up looking for a man who is like her dad. Loving your wife and showing it will go a long way with her.
Do something girly with her. Paint her toe nails or curl her hair, even once will make a great memory. My dad painted one of my toe nails only one time....actually he painted my whole toe on purpose, so I would never ask him again I guess. I was perturbed and he had a good laugh. Even if you offer and she says 'no', she will remember that you were willing.
Make a joke about her period or her shaving her legs, something girly. (Of course at appropriate times)
Point out her moods, maybe give her hormonal pissy mood a nickname, but don't harp and let her feel herself.
Tell her that she isn't allowed to have sex until she is 36 or until you die. Also a joke but lets her know that you think it may be too soon.
These may sound crazy but a girl doesn't want to discuss any of this with dad but somehow it's important that they know that you are aware of them. And you cracking jokes occasionally lets her know that you are paying attention and know what's going on even though you aren't "trying to fix them". She doesn't want your help anyway. Lol
And today it's more important than ever to point out that what's on the inside is more important than the outside.
Now, give me pointers for a mom with two teenage boys.