Raising A Confident Daughter


I have told hubby that Coco's view of herself and how she is treated by men is really largely dependent on him. Most girls who have serious insecurities and bad relationships have Daddy Issues. I remember hearing Gwyenth Paltrow telling this story in an interview and it just touched me. What a great Father to want to share something so special with her, and understand that his love for her is the most important indicator of how she'll be treated by the men in her life.

"When I was ten years old, my father and I took a trip to Paris, leaving my younger brother and mother in London where she was filming a movie. My dad believed in one-on-one time with us, and sometimes that extended to a weekend away. We stayed at a great hotel and he said I could order whatever I wanted for breakfast (French fries). We went to the Pompidou museum, the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre - the usual spots. It was pretty great. On the plane back to London he asked me if I knew why we had gone, just he and I, to Paris for the weekend. I said no, but I felt so lucky for the trip. He said, “I wanted you to see Paris for the first time with a man who would always love you, no matter what.” From that time on, Paris was and continues to be very special to me. I lived there for five months in 1994 and I have made many trips back. These are the places in Paris I stay and eat and toast my dad."

17 comments:

Angie said...

This is so sweet, I love Gwyenth. What a great Dad she has!! I am going to send this to my hubby! Have a great week!!

Tippy said...

Love that story.

And you are SO right about dads affecting their daughters. I lived it, for sure. I have high hopes that my daughter will enjoy a really great relationship with her father.

Muffy said...

OMG. I almost cried when I read this. HOW TOUCHING!!!!

Sandra said...

You are 100% right on with that statement about girls and dads!

Pink Flamingo said...

Very, very true...the bond between a little girl and her daddy is so magical.

Olivia: (mostly) Happy Homemaker said...

So true!

What a great story- I hadn't heard that. My dad is a good "girls" dad and my husband is the BEST!

Coco will be one lucky little girl!!

Debbie said...

Now that is one smart father! What a great story.

Suzanne said...

I love that story and I totally agree with you.

Our Little Miss is a very confident young lady for 5 years old...sometimes a bit too confident;) She has a wonderful relationship with her Dad which I'm sure has already had a very positive effect on her even at her young age.

Kiki said...

I just read this the other day on her newsletter, how funny that she told this story in an interview...

I had a wonderful daddy, he was very quiet and strong, he loved all four of us girls like crazy but one of the best gifts that he gave us was that he loved my mom more than anything else.

He may not have been the perfect dad but he was perfect dad for me. Thanks for the reminder.

Coco will be blessed for sure with the two of you and Landon for a big brother...what a wonderful, loving home she will join!

Dawn Parsons Smith said...

That is so lovely! I firmly agree with you! It is the key ingredient! What a wonderful post! (as usual..wink wink!)

Elisabeth said...

Love this story-def. going to show it to my husband.

Surf Girl said...

What a sweet story and what a great memory with her dad!

icing on the cake said...

What a sweet story!

Belle (from Life of a...) said...

Great post...we're worked very hard to raise a strong and confident daughter. She's something, as evidenced in how she handled the jerk at her senior prom last year. It's been interesting to watch some of her friends who very clearly have issues with their dads. It shows very clearly in the kinds of boys they choose to date (and not in a good way)

Readings, Recipes and Rambles said...

OMG...my husband always tells my daughter that HE wants to be the one to take her to Paris!!!!!!!!
Very sweet.
(I'm just not ready to let her get on a plane without me!!!!!)

Tickled Pink And Green said...

No wonder Gwenyth was devastated when he died. And your post is sooo true.

Look at those Real Housewives gals (both shows) with daddy issues! It can really screw up your future relationships.

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to add after reading the comments, that not every girl who has father issues makes bad choices when it comes to dating. My alcoholic father was not the best dad in the world. I love him, but I have major issues with him. Luckily, I chose a man who is the opposite and is a fantastic father. My therapist says that means I'm smart - I didn't repeat the cycle! ;-)