Raising A Daughter As A Single Dad

Raising children is one of the most rewarding, yet hardest things you may ever do. Even if you’re married or in a long-term relationship, navigating the ins and outs of parenting can be tough. Unfortunately, even the best relationships sometimes come to an end, leaving one parent the sole provider for the children. So, if you’re a single dad who is now raising a daughter on your own, you might feel like you don’t even know where to start. Can you really fulfill both roles for your little girl?

The Answer is a Resounding Yes

Long gone are the days where only moms had the power to raise daughters. Now, it’s not uncommon to see single dads raising their children, even if they only have a daughter. In fact, the bond is often stronger in these cases than if it were a different scenario. That’s not to say you don’t need a little help, everyone does. However, even in the toughest of times, you can successfully raise your daughter as a single dad. Here’s how to do it without second guessing yourself.

Prioritize Yourself

As a single parent, it’s easy to let your wants and needs fall by the wayside. After all, your children come first. And while this is the right thing to do in many cases, you still need to make yourself a priority. Whether it’s doing things you enjoy or going back to school to earn a degree, you need to make time for yourself. If earning a degree is what you want the most, but don’t have the money to pay out of pocket, you don’t have to give up on your dreams. In addition to applying for state funded scholarships, you can also apply for student loans. Depending on your financial situation and whether you’ve attended college before, you may be eligible for federally-backed loans and loans through a private lender. Since everyone’s situation is different, it’s best to speak to the college you want to apply to and a loan specialist.

Ask For Help

Every dad wants to be their daughter’s hero, however, it’s okay to need emotional support. If you are trying to be a great dad during a divorce, that is a lot to navigate on your own. Being a parent, especially a single one, means putting your children’s emotional needs first. This can make it a bit difficult trying to maintain your own mental and emotional wellbeing. Being a poor state of mind can also affect your daughter as well. If you find yourself struggling, there's nothing wrong with asking for help. Ask friends and family to step in when you need it. Having someone you trust look after your daughter while you tackle some errands or finish other responsibilities, like college, can be a big help. If you need to talk to a professional just to take a load off, there's no shame in that. While asking, see if you can get another female involved. Daughters need to have a female role model in their life as well.