Real Girl Dad

Surviving girl dad life one mood swing at a time

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  • The Hardest Part of Senior Year Isn’t the Classes

    My youngest daughter is about to start her senior year of high school. Senior year is supposed to be the victory lap.

    After all the years of homework, heartbreaks, and hallway drama — this is supposed to be the fun part.  The part where your kid goes to all the football & basketball games, dances & parties, senior breakfasts & skip days with her friends and  just cruises on through to graduation. 

    But no one talks about the quiet heartbreaks. 

    Like when your daughter doesn’t get invited to pick their parking spots with the friend group she’s had for years.

    Or when she checks her phone and realizes there was a group hang… and she wasn’t in it.

    Or when she tries to act like none of that bothers her — but you know it does.

    The worst part? There was no big blow-up. No “falling out.” Just a slow fade.

    Pettiness. Popularity politics. Unspoken alliances that leave some girls out.

    And as a dad…you feel like you should have all the answers. As a dad…you want to be able to say “this is all you need to do and everything will be all right.” But at the same time, as a dad… you’re thinking to yourself, how in the hell is something as small as a parking spot creating this much drama and anxiety!?!

    So all I can do is remind her of who she is.

    Remind her that being left out isn’t a reflection of her — it’s a reflection of someone else’s insecurities. 

    You remind her that real friends wouldn’t exclude you and the last thing we’re gonna do is beg for someone to be your friend. High school doesn’t last forever — but self-respect does.

    I don’t have the answers and I don’t know if the advice I gave her is right or not. But I do know this:

    My daughter will still show up, take the spot she wants, and hold her head high.

    And I’ll be right there if she needs me!!

    Leave a comment if you’ve been here before. What advice did you give?

    – Real Girl Dad

  • 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Raising Daughters

    When I became a dad to girls, I had no idea what I was in for.

    I wasn’t ready for the emotions, the drama, the dance recitals, or how fast they grow up. No manual, no warning — just boom, here’s your whole heart walking around outside your body.

    So here are five things I wish someone had told me before I stepped into this whole “girl dad” life.

    1. You’re Not the Boss — You’re the Safe Place

    I used to think being a dad meant laying down the law. Turns out, what daughters need more than rules is reassurance.

    Be firm, sure — but be soft when it counts. Be the place she can land when the world gets loud.

    She doesn’t need a drill sergeant. She needs a dad who listens when she can’t find the words.

    2. You’ll Be Outnumbered — Emotionally and Logistically

    Between hair ties, bathroom battles, and emotional curveballs… I’ve learned to adapt.

    You will cry during a Disney movie. You will lose every thermostat battle. You will find yourself holding a pink glitter water bottle and not even question it.

    That’s the girl dad life — and honestly, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

    3. They’re Watching Everything

    How you treat their mom, how you talk about yourself, how you handle anger — it all matters.

    Your daughter learns what to expect from men by watching you.

    No pressure, right?

    But seriously — the little things stick. The way you hug her when she’s upset. The way you apologize when you screw up. That’s the stuff that teaches her what love looks like.

    4. You Will Miss the Mess One Day

    The toys in the living room, the shoes by the door, the constant carpool chaos… I used to wish for peace. Now I’d kill for one more Saturday of them all piled on the couch.

    Don’t wish the hard days away. One day you’ll look around and realize the silence hurts more than the noise ever did.

    5. Being a Girl Dad Will Break You — In the Best Way

    You will feel everything deeper.

    You’ll learn how to cry without shame, love without limits, and protect without controlling.

    And when they hug you out of the blue or say “I love you, Dad,” you’ll realize this is the most important job you’ve ever had.

    🛠️ Final Thought

    You don’t have to be perfect. Just be present.

    Girl dad life isn’t easy — but it’s the best damn ride I’ve ever been on.

    If you’re on it too, welcome. We’re in this together.