Well if you are staying up with us….this is part Duex (I’m trying to tickle your fancy with the language of love; for all you other barbarians like myself we are at Part 2) . Catch your self up on Part One by clicking here. For the rest of us it’s time to move on to the sixth tip on being a better father to your daughters.
Be Respectful of Others
JAJ – Just Another Jerkoff
One of the biggest challenges that I am seeing in the girls is that they are developing their own self images. Even at young ages, I see how they are looking at the clothes they are wearing and the things that they are saying at home. Based upon what other parents have told me….this only gets worse especially for women. Let me just say that women can be MEAN. While we can be like a bunch of hens at the firehouse (cackle cackle cackle), there can be some tremendous venom that comes from the ladies. What gives me pause is that now with four women in the house….It means I need to get another male dog to take some of the lickings!
My best bet here and for other the other Fire Dads that have daughters is that we need to be careful of what we say to others….especially women. I wish I could say that I am an expert in the matter….I’m much more a novice in this area. I make comments all the time (quite a bit when I am driving and have the girls in the car with me). This is an area where I need to work. Who would have thought they would have understood the word “jerkoff”. Putting it into context that they heard it….Woman is driving next to me playing with her phone, putting on makeup or reading a book while driving. My response, “Pay attention to the road you jerkoff”. Not thinking that I have been heard, I think nothing of it until about a week later. I am again driving and this time only say, “Geez, learn how to drive”. Bella’s response, “Daddy, is she a jerkoff?”. Oh how their minds are like sponges. While my immediate response is to tell her “Wow, honey you are so observant”….I figure this will be frowned upon….Especially if she uses it in pre-school. This one will take me some time to work on self control and try to filter my anger. The last thing I want to do is have an effect on their self image since they all are watching to get an idea of what to expect from people.
Share Hobbies
It is important have have some commonalities between a Fire Dad and their girls. It is just like any other relationship, you need to have these to crate a strong connection or bond. It is a great experience now as they are really starting to explore the different kinds of activities that interest them. I do enjoy watching them do their sports but cannot always participate with them. When they first started in gymnastics, a parent would need to be with them to keep them from wandering around the gym. It was fun to see them having fun. Since they have been getting older, now they do the activities with their instructors. We have done gymnastics and karate in the past. Currently, we are in swimming and basketball. I try to be with them as much as I can with attending their practices/training at the health club. I also will try and bring them a lot to the water parks so that they can have more fun in the water. With the basketball, they do not allow the parents in the gym with the kids; too much of a distraction.
Back at home, the world revolves around three things…..dolls, ART and music. The epicenter for all activities was once known as my man cave. Let’s just say I have been emasculated and it has become a Barbie palace, art room and a music studio. While some other parents I know have dedicated space and draw a line that defines areas as their own, I keep moving the my line further and further back. I’m loosing my land to the girls….They have bamboozled me and taken over “my basement” by eminent domain.
Welcome to Barbie’s Nudist Colony
Alright….I want you to think of your worse Barbie nightmare….and multiply it by ten. Come down to Barbiepoolza and you run the risk of losing your head literally. Moreover, it looks like Barbie and her friends have all joined a nudist colony as the majority have been completely stripped down and frolic around with all of their other naked friends; driving, walking around the house or a night on the town – naked is the way to go! I almost feel dirty climbing over the casualties that have just finished with their latest “party” at the playhouse. I have not done too much playtime at the playhouse but maybe in the future as long as my dolls stay clothed.
Vomiting Art Monster’s Lair
The art room is the other exciting area in the basement. I think it is important for the kids to express their artistic talents. The girls have access to everything that screams art – crayons, colored pencils, glue, paint and all the other art supplies. Sometimes, I am asked to come down to view an art show…other times I am allowed down to do art with them…..in my former work room. Wanna see what it looks like when an art monster vomits? My little artists are very good at doing their art but not so good to clean it up. I like hanging out with them and doing some artwork with them. They seem to really enjoy their time doing their “art projects” with me….Sometimes, I am lucky to even get one made specifically for me which makes me feel special.
The other special thing that we share is that we pump up the jam. I have created a music playlist with songs that they like from Amazon Music. Each of them picks a song when we are downstairs and we all sing along and and choreographed dance moves in to impress the others. You think Justin Timberlake has a chance against me? Hell no…I am Michael Jackson. You think Pink has a beautiful voice? Just wait til my little songbirds start spreading their wings. My little multi-taskers enjoy doing their art and singing with me. Bring it on NSync, Michael Jackson, Jojo Siwa, Pink, Shakira, Maroon 5, Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson and the rest….We can out sing you any day.
With six and seven making quite a splash, we will have to save the remaining three for part 3. Stay turned, like us on Facebook and Unleash Your Hero at Home!