Women’s History Month is about honoring the past while empowering the next generation. For many fathers, that starts at home through the lessons they share with their daughters about courage, confidence, and staying true to who they are. We asked a few dads to share the guidance they hope their daughters carry with them as they grow.
Kevin Desrouilleres, CPD
Be yourself – In a world where people are constantly adjusting and trying to align with the latest trends, you’ll find that most aren’t staying true to their selves. You don’t always need to fit in and or mimic what your friends are doing. Staying true to your yourself – to the person you’re becoming – shows that you are not easily influenced and do not feel the need to conform to social norms.
Live life to the fullest – I strongly encourage my daughter to be open to and try all sorts of things – a new sport, a school event, or a new hobby – the goal is to experience moments that will not only bring you joy and fulfillment but also introduce a new perspective on life.
Be Kind – It takes no effort at all to be kind to someone. A peer can be going through personal matters and showing them kindness can be uplifting. There’s nothing more fulfilling than knowing you made someone’s day by sharing a few kind words with them.
Don’t listen to others – There is constructive criticism and then there’s negativity, and with today’s social climate, negativity seems to run more rampant than it ever has. I’ve urged my daughter to block out the noise, that no person should determine her fate or decide what she is capable of. We’ve all experienced a situation where someone has been judgmental, made negative remarks, or wanted to see us fail, but it is how you face those adversities that will lay the foundation for overcoming such issues and set a path for success.
William Lewis, PE
Never panic. Nothing is ever as terrible as it seems. If you panic, you might miss what should be done to correct the issue. Take a deep breath and proceed.
Richard Rivera
My wife and I always tell our daughter to “do it scared.” Trying new things is hard! But we never get to experience anything new if we’re too afraid to try. Whether it comes to swimming, rock climbing, or going to a new school, that mantra has always persisted, “Do it scared.”
The phrase is especially important when it comes to self-advocacy. I was taught that respect for adults was more valuable than my own advocacy as a child. It was considered rude to say no to something, even if I didn’t want to do it. As parents, my wife and I reinforce the idea of advocating for oneself with our daughter, no matter who she is interacting with, whether a friend or an adult. Even though it may seem scary, it’s always better to be true to yourself rather than to placate to others at your detriment. Advocating for yourself is important! “Do it scared.”
